Data Chats Podcast

“What really helps is if you just have one main goal for the [data] project. Know who your audience is and what your success criteria is. That's really going to put you head and shoulders ahead of everybody else, and it's going to make the project so painless. And then I can just dive into the insights and be showing you a lot of cool ideas.”

 

-Alli Torban

 

In the world of data analysis, the ability to effectively communicate your insights to stakeholders can be the difference between your ideas being heard or being ignored. Fortunately, there's a powerful tool that can help: data visualizations.In this episode of Data Chats, host Chris Richardson delves into this topic with data viz designer and podcast host Alli Torban.

 

As the founder of her own data design studio in Washington, D.C., Alli is a recognized expert in the field of data visualizations. She has shared her insights on stages big and small, and has been recognized with the Impactful Community Leader award from the Data Visualization Society.In this episode, Alli and Chris discuss a range of topics including:

tools that can help you create effective visualizations

how to measure success in this field

what it's like to work with clients as a data visualization consultant

how data practitioners can bring more creativity into their lives and work.

If you're looking to take your data analysis to the next level, be sure to listen in to this informative and engaging episode. With Alli's expert insights, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the power of data visualizations, and how they can help you to communicate your insights with greater impact.

 

Continue Learning | Business-Driven Data AnalysisMove beyond the spreadsheet, deliver actionable findings, and ensure alignment with stakeholders

"There's a gap between the technical side and the business side. You need to bridge that gap with a common understanding of what's predicted, how well, and what's done about it." 

– Eric Siegel

In this insightful Data Chats episode, we explore the critical intersection of business and machine learning with Eric Siegel, a renowned expert in the field. Eric’s insights offer a roadmap for organizations seeking to leverage the power of AI to drive their business forward.

Eric Siegel is the founder of Machine Learning Week, former Columbia professor, and bestselling author of his new release, “The AI Playbook: Mastering the Rare Art of Machine Learning Deployment.” He has a talent for bridging the gap between complex data science concepts and the practical application of machine learning in the business world. 

Check out Eric’s new release, “The AI Playbook: Mastering the Rare Art of Machine Learning Deployment” here. 

With his remarkable insights, Eric Siegel sits down with host, Chris Richardson, as he guides us through the exciting yet challenging landscape of AI's role in business. They discuss: 

Aligning with Business Objectives: Success comes from defining clear goals and understanding how AI can contribute to achieving them.

Measuring Deployment Success: Companies must define meaningful metrics that reflect the project's impact on the business.

Human Involvement: While AI and ML hold great potential, there’s still a need for human involvement to validate AI-generated results and maintain quality control.

New Roles and Responsibilities: As AI's role in business continues to evolve, new job titles and roles, such as machine learning business liaisons, are emerging. 

Want to learn more from Eric? Tune in to his previous interview with us here. 

Drive Business Growth Through Data Science

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“Data visualization is about adding a visual channel to make the data more memorable and comprehensible. We remember things in images and stories; we are not number creatures." 

– Nadieh Bremer

 

In this episode of Data Chats, host Chris Richardson and data visualization expert Nadieh Bremer explore the world of data visualization and unravel its intricacies, offering practical tips and insights into the fusion of art and data science. 

Nadieh Bremer is a data visualization designer and artist, working to captivate and engage an audience with the insights that the data reveals, to convince them of the lessons hidden within the numbers, and to take readers along on a journey told through the lens of data.

During this episode with Chris and Nadieh, you will: 

Learn the art of maintaining brand consistency while crafting data visuals 

Understand the importance of providing detailed explanations for data variables

Delve into the challenge of quantifying return on investment (ROI) for data visualization

Explore the evolving role of AI in data visualization and its potential impact

Gain insights into tailoring data visuals for different audiences 

Discover the shift from interactivity to purposeful interaction in data visualization

Learn more about Nadieh here.

 

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If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, download our eBook, Analyze: Unlock Actionable Insights for Business Growth. In this eBook, you’ll discover how to simplify your findings into a business strategy that can be easily interpreted and put into action. 

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“I'm the garbage lady of the data world. It's a job no one wants to do, but if it isn't done, society would fall apart if we didn't have our rubbish cleared,” - Susan Walsh

 

In this episode, host Chris Richardson, sits down with the data cleaning expert, Susan Walsh, to explore the overlooked realm of data cleaning.

 

Susan shares her rich experiences and the fulfilling aspects of creating order from data chaos, emphasizing its pivotal role in delivering accurate analysis.

 

They Discuss:

How clean data drives profitability, improves efficiency, and enables smarter business decisions

Why budgeting for data cleaning is crucial and how to factor it into project timelines

An interesting take on how redefining traditional roles within a team could unearth hidden data-cleaning talents

How can dirty data adversely affect AI and machine learning outcomes, and why human intervention in data cleaning remains indispensable?

What’s Your Organization’s Data Maturity?Our Data Maturity Scale and Assessment is a powerful tool for organizations that want to measure—and grow—their level of data maturity.

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“When you stop seeing numbers, and you start seeing people in your data sheets, everything changes.” - Favio Vazquez

 

In this episode, our host, Chris Richardson, interviews Favio Vazquez, Senior Data Scientist at H20.ai.

 

This conversation dives deep into all things autoML and AI, from what companies are doing now to what data professionals can do to prepare for the future. Favio provides his strategies for screening for bias and competing in a job market where AI is changing how we work.

 

They discuss:

What to expect in the transition from data science in academia to data science in business

What it means to practice data science in an Agile environment

Why AI and autoML won’t replace data professionals any time soon

How to approach ethics in machine learning

New roles for data professionals

Business-Driven Data AnalysisAs discussed in this podcast, transitioning to a business environment requires a different lens to interpret and analyze data.

 

A business-driven approach to data analysis enhances decision-making and aligns data projects with organizational objectives.

 

Our course, Business-Driven Data Analysis, will train you to learn what a stakeholder truly wants, refine the project based on available data, produce results and provide strategic insights.

 

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“I think including alt text that goes beyond just what the thing is, but why you're including it and what is interesting about it to really help people understand” - Amy Cesal

 

In this episode of Data Chats, hosted by Chris Richardson, we dive deep into the realm of data and design with Amy Cesal, a co-founder and board member of the Data Visualization Society and a product evangelist at EverViz.

 

Amy, a three-time Information is Beautiful award winner, has significantly contributed to the field of data visualization, pioneering the use of innovative style guides and continuously creating unusual and impactful data visualizations.

 

In this episode, Chris and Amy discuss:

Why dual encoding helps with accessibility

Alt text strategies

How to gain buy-in for style guides

Balancing simplicity with unique and memorable ways to present information

Places to find data visualization inspiration

Ready to Learn More About Data Visualization?Effective data visualization comes down to knowing your audience. Business-Driven Data Analysis enables data practitioners to refine their projects based on available data, produce results, and effectively communicate strategic insights to diverse stakeholders.

Learn More

“When we're thinking about data and data visualization, design is more functional, or at least it should be more functional as opposed to ornamental.”

 

In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson sits down with Jonathan Schwabish, a renowned expert in the field of data visualization, for a comprehensive look into the world of transforming data into actionable insights.

 

Jonathan Schwabish is an author, researcher, and the voice behind policyviz.com, where he dives deep into the nuances of effective data presentation and visualization.

 

During this episode, they discuss:

The art of creating titles for charts and graphs

Why your goal should be clarity over quantity

The role of the audience in data visualization

How interactive data and scrolly-telling has evolved

Why and how to incorporate accessibility into data viz

An ethical approach to data visualization

Learn More About Data VisualizationReady to transform your approach to data analysis and become a strategic contributor in your organization? Don't miss out on Pragmatic Institute’s Business-Driven Data Analysis masterclass. You'll learn how to define, prepare, analyze, and present complex data to a variety of stakeholders, ensuring that your data projects not only look good but drive actionable insights. >> Learn More

"Airline loyalty innovation died in 1960.” - Mark Ross-Smith

 

In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson sits down with Mark Ross-Smith, an award-winning leader in the airline loyalty industry, for an insider’s perspective on how airlines use data analytics to optimize their loyalty programs.

 

Mark Ross-Smith is CEO and co-founder of statusmatch.com and the editor of traveldatadaily.com >> read the Cathay Pacific Churn Analysis Case Study.

 

Mark shares how airlines drive revenue through elite status flyers and co-branded credit cards. He explains the metrics airlines track to increase share of wallet and prevent churn. He also advises how airlines could innovate loyalty programs with data to build emotional connections and make flying more personalized and joyful for customers.

 

In this wide-ranging discussion, Mark covers:

The business model behind the profitability of airline loyalty programs

The disproportionate value of top-tier elites and credit cardholders

How customer data reveals motivations and future behaviors

Why loyalty innovation has stagnated and advice to spur progress

How better use of data ultimately benefits customers’ lives

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“I'm interested in stretching what you can do with data and coming up with ideas of representing it that people haven't thought of before. I think there's a whole spectrum of possibilities here.” 

– Miriam Quick

Miriam Quick, an accomplished journalist, author, and musician renowned for her innovative approach to data communication, underscores the importance of visualizations and unconventional methods in data journalism. Her work explores beyond the conventional to make data more engaging, breaking the stereotype that data is dull or mundane.

In her conversation with host Chris Richardson, Miriam reflects on her unique journey into the data world, combining her passion and strengths with her expertise in computer science to craft a distinctive narrative. She delves into the art of making data accessible and engaging, especially for a broader audience, emphasizing the value of a beginner's mindset when exploring interesting aspects within datasets.

So how do you take a creative leap with data?

Develop narratives mindful of the presentation format (infographic, dashboard, animation), audience, and tone

Use spreadsheets as a starting point to structure information and create visual formats

Engage with interactive elements like charts and games to tell a compelling data story

Focus on accuracy and value judgments, regardless of the project's creative or conventional nature

Draw inspiration from various sources like Information is Beautiful Awards Showcase and unconventional chart types from repositories like Xenographics

Miriam also discusses her book, "I Am a Book. I Am a Portal to the Universe," a love letter to book design shared through fascinating data measurements. This conversation ultimately aims to inspire listeners to rethink how they visualize data, striving for creativity and impact in their presentations to overcome the prevalence of poorly designed ones.

Do not miss this riveting conversation—hit play now to uncover insights that will reshape your perspective on data visualization.

 

Want to dive deeper into this topic? Check out the resources below for insights on how to use data visualizations to communicate critical insights. 

 

Article | Maximizing the Impact of Your Data with Compelling Data Visualizations

Article | How to Avoid Bad Data Visualizations

Article | Data Visualization Best Practices 

 

Podcast | Tell Your Data Story  

Podcast | Put Down the Pie Chart and Other Data Visualization Strategies

Podcast | Data Visualization and How to Stop Your Charts From Lying

 

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“We also wanted to use the textbook to talk about important social issues [like] why do men make more than women? And so, one case study is about understanding the gender gap in the US and why is there a 15, 20% difference in earnings.”- Gábor Békés

 

In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson interviews Gábor Békés, author of Data Analysis: For Business, Economics, and Policy. Békés is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics and Business of Central European University. He is also a senior research fellow at the KRTK Institute of Economics in Hungary.

 

They discuss:

Detailed process of data analysis

The most important methods, tools, and skills for future data analysts

Real life case-studies included in the book

Implications of data analysis on public policy

Humility required for the data interpretation process

Take Your Data Skills to the Next Level with Business-Driven Data AnalysisThis course teaches a proven, repeatable approach that you can leverage across data projects and toolsets to deliver timely data analysis with actionable insights. Learn More