In Episode 16, of Season 4, of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom is joined by Ben Dias, Director of Data Science and Analytics at easyJet, where they discuss the lean startup approach to Data & Analytics, which includes;
- Being a stereotypical neurodiverse data scientist
- Being driven by solving problems that no one else had
- Working on recommendation algorithms 20 years ago
- Intentionally investing heavily in personal development around ‘soft skills’
- Mapping out what “The Lean Startup Approach” to Data Science would be
- Deciding whether to stay technical or move into leadership
- Approaching leadership as a science
- Being one of the first airlines to launch their NetZero roadmap
- Having a CEO who drives the data agenda
- Not being able to build the foundations fast enough to keep up with demand
- How they delivered value incrementally while building the foundations
- How the business continued with investment in data programmes even while planes were grounded during Covid
- Demonstrating the value of the lean startup approach
- The 6-steps practical guide to implementing the lean startup approach (article below)
- The benefits delivered from the lean startup approach
- The challenges/considerations to this approach
- Why you shouldn’t deliver any work until you know what “done” looks like
- Why you should always address the riskiest thing first
- The importance of not being the HIPPO as the Data Leader
- Why you need to align the approach to your vision
- Why all prioritisation conversations have to start with a conversation about value
- The importance of having a framework of measuring non-financial metrics
- The benefits of having a flat structure
- Keeping fixed costs low
- Why you need to have a diverse team to solve complex problems
- Why using external partners can bring “diversity of thought”
- Thinking outside the box to hire a more diverse team
- Implementing data fluency programmes
- Using apprenticeships to upskill business users
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