Are you a data leader eager to accelerate your professional growth and make a bigger impact? In this episode, we sit down with Srimukessh Subramanian, Finance Data Analyst at Wise, who shares his journey from engineering to data and reveals the key skills that have propelled his career forward.

Discover how you can:

Master the technical skills that will make you indispensable, including SQL, Python, and the growing importance of dbt knowledge

Develop the crucial non-technical skills, such as effective communication and storytelling, to influence stakeholders and drive change

Leverage pet projects to showcase your abilities, enhance your skills, and secure your dream job in data

Navigate the transition from data analyst to product manager and other creative roles in data

Continually improve your skills and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving field

Whether you're a seasoned data leader or just starting your journey, this episode is packed with actionable insights and advice to help you supercharge your career. Srimukessh's unique perspective, from his background in engineering to his current role as a finance data analyst, offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to make their mark in the world of data.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Data Team Success Podcast! This week, we dive into the world of insights-driven data management with Amruta Shankar, a distinguished data product strategy leader with extensive experience at CineMedia. Amruta’s journey offers a beacon for data professionals and leaders striving to make data more meaningful and actionable.

Why This Episode Is a Must-Hear:

Insights Over Data: Amruta shares her passion for transforming raw data into actionable insights, moving beyond the data-driven approach to a more nuanced, insight-centric strategy.

Financial Savvy Meets Data: Learn how Amruta integrates financial understanding with data analytics to drive business decisions and strategies, offering a rare glimpse into the fusion of numbers and intuition.

Fostering a Culture of Curiosity: Discover how empathy and curiosity are essential in the quest for meaningful data analysis, and how these qualities can transform the way teams approach data challenges.

Episode Highlights:

From Data to Insights: Amruta discusses her approach to turning the abundance of data into actionable insights, emphasizing the importance of understanding the "why" behind the data.

Balancing B2B and B2C Dynamics: Insights into how Amruta navigates the complexities of serving both B2B and B2C markets, and her strategies for abstracting data to provide valuable insights to diverse audiences.

Financial Literacy in Decision-Making: Explore how Amruta uses her financial acumen to enhance product decisions, illustrating the critical interplay between data, intuition, and financial insights.

Customer-Centric Innovation: A look into how Amruta's insights-driven strategy influences feature development and product decisions, inspired by real-world applications like Netflix’s content strategy.

Evolving Data Relationships: Amruta shares her experience transitioning from a traditional data vendor to a strategic data partner, highlighting the importance of trust and collaboration in successful partnerships.

Tune in to gain invaluable insights from Amruta Shankar, as she unveils the strategies and philosophies that have shaped her approach to data management and leadership. Whether you’re leading a data team or part of one, this episode will equip you with the knowledge and inspiration to adopt a more insightful, impactful approach to data.

In this insightful episode, we delve deep with Nicolas, a pioneer in the intersection of software engineering and data analytics. Nicolas shares his journey from the technical trenches to founding YUI, aiming to seamlessly integrate technical and non-technical teams within organizations. Listen as we explore the critical importance of a robust data strategy, the challenges and ethical considerations in AI, and the foundational elements of building a data-driven culture.

What You'll Learn:

Bridging Teams Understanding: Discover Nicolas's insights on connecting technical prowess with strategic business objectives to foster a collaborative environment.

Data Teams Case Building: Learn how data teams can leverage their understanding of business needs to present compelling data-driven arguments.

Data Literacy For Everyone: Unpacking the intimidation surrounding data science and how organizations can cultivate a data-literate culture.

Data Strategies & Governance: Dive into the conversation on integrating data strategy with business strategy, emphasizing data quality, reliability, and accessibility.

Data Ethics & Responsible AI: A critical look at the ethical use of AI, understanding business implications, and navigating the complex landscape of data ethics and GDPR.

Closing Thoughts:

Nicolas's expertise sheds light on the critical elements of fostering a data-driven culture, emphasizing the need for strategic data management, ethical AI practices, and the importance of bridging the gap between technical and non-technical teams. Connect with Nicolas on LinkedIn to stay at the forefront of data and AI innovations.

In this enlightening episode of our podcast, we delve deep into the art and science of building and nurturing successful data teams with Anusha, Manager of Data Management and Strategy at EY.

Anusha brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in transforming data teams into powerhouse units that drive business growth and innovation. Our discussion spans from the foundational elements of creating high-performing teams to the strategic deployment of AI and ML, and the critical role of data governance in today’s data-driven landscape.

What You Will Learn:

--The Human Element in Data Teams: Discover why the biggest asset in your data team is the people and how focusing on training, mentoring, and upskilling can elevate your team’s performance.

--Bridging Business and Data: Learn how Anusha transitioned from a product manager to a data strategist, emphasizing the importance of business skills in data analytics, and how to have meaningful conversations with stakeholders.

--The Power of AI and ML: Anusha shares insights on how data teams can align AI and ML initiatives with business objectives, ensuring technology serves real business needs.

--Navigating Data Risks and Governance: Understand the challenges of managing vast amounts of data, the importance of observability, and how to implement effective governance strategies.

--Funding Data Initiatives: Anusha discusses strategies for securing funding for data projects, highlighting the role of regulatory requirements and the importance of aligning data strategies with business objectives.

--Building and Nurturing Data Teams: Gain valuable tips on professional development, career growth, and creating a culture of continuous learning within your data team.

Why This Episode Is a Must-Listen for Data Team Leaders:

As data leaders, we’re constantly seeking ways to enhance our team's effectiveness, align data strategies with overarching business goals, and navigate the complexities of data governance and risk management.

This episode not only offers practical advice and strategies from a seasoned expert but also inspires data leaders to foster an environment where data teams can thrive, innovate, and contribute to significant business outcomes.

In this insightful episode of the Data Team Success Podcast, Ross Webb is joined by Susan Walsh, also known as The Classification Guru. With a unique journey into the world of data, Susan shares her expertise on transforming businesses through effective data classification and management.

Why Listen?

Exclusive Insights: Gain valuable insights from Susan's journey from a career hiccup to becoming a pioneer in data classification.

Practical Solutions: Discover practical solutions for tackling the challenges of dirty data and the balance between AI and human insight.

Strategic Data Use: Learn about the significance of data accuracy, governance, and the surprising impacts of data quantity on decision-making.

Episode Highlights:

Introduction to Susan Walsh: Learn about Susan's accidental entry into the data world and her mission with The Classification Guru.

The Dirty Secrets Behind Dirty Data: Susan discusses the origins of data issues and the opportunities they present for businesses willing to address them.

The Value of Data Classification: Discover how global companies leverage data classification for better spending visibility and supplier management.

The Evolving Data Landscape: Insights into how the data world has changed over the last 6 years and why human involvement remains crucial.

Garbage In, Garbage Out: A discussion on the critical importance of data quality over quantity and the pitfalls of proceeding with poor data.

Making Decisions with Imperfect Data: Strategies for using data to inform decisions, emphasizing the need for quality and strategic insight.

Susan's Insights on Data Management:

The persistent challenge of ensuring data quality and the importance of human oversight in an AI-driven world.

Strategies for overcoming common data management pitfalls, including prioritizing data accuracy and governance.

The role of intuition and experience in complementing data-driven decision-making.

Closing Thoughts:

Susan's journey and insights offer a roadmap for data leaders looking to navigate the complexities of data management and drive business transformation. Her emphasis on the human element in data processes serves as a valuable reminder of the balance required in the tech-heavy landscape of today.

Connect with Susan Walsh on LinkedIn to dive deeper into her data classification courses and continue the conversation on effective data management.

🌟 Transforming Data into Leadership: Insights from Daniel Smulevich, EVP at Jellyfish | Data Team Success Podcast 🌟

In this groundbreaking episode of the Data Team Success Podcast, join Ross Webb as he delves into the world of data leadership with Daniel Smulevich, EVP of Data & Analytics at Jellyfish. Discover how Daniel leads over 200 data professionals to drive innovation and impact across tech and data landscapes.

Why Watch?

Exclusive Leadership Insights: Learn from Daniel's firsthand experiences on navigating the complexities of data leadership and making strategic decisions that shape the future.

Building Teams with Confidence: Daniel reveals his unique approach to fostering team confidence and how it sets the foundation for success in the data realm.

Soft Skills that Make a Hard Impact: Uncover why Daniel believes project management is the secret weapon in your leadership toolkit.

What Daniel Shares:

Practical advice for aspiring data leaders on gaining varied experiences and thinking about scale.

Strategies for aligning data objectives with business goals, underlining the crucial balance between technical prowess and business acumen.

Insights into developing future data leaders, emphasizing the need for a blend of specialized and broad skills.

The critical role of project management and risk management in leading successful data initiatives and ensuring team confidence.

Episode Breakdown:

--Introduction to Daniel Smulevich's career and his rise in the data world.

--How to lead effectively and ensure accountability across distributed teams.

--Daniel's perspective on the underestimated importance of project management in data leadership.

-- The significance of building business acumen and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Dive Deep into Daniel's World:

Daniel Smulevich brings a unique blend of insight and inspiration to the table, discussing the essence of impactful data leadership. From managing the dynamic challenges of tech implementation to nurturing a team's growth and confidence, this episode is a beacon for anyone in or aspiring to data leadership positions.

Join us as we explore the journey of aligning data strategies with business visions, the nuances of building and leading empowered teams, and the indispensable soft skills that drive success in the data and analytics industry.

Tune in now and unlock the secrets to transformative data leadership with Daniel Smulevich, a true pioneer in the field.

Introduction

In this groundbreaking episode of Data Team Success, we're joined by Chris Mastrodonato, a visionary in the realms of data science, software engineering, and leadership. Chris challenges the conventional view of data governance, unveiling its potential as a strategic asset rather than a cumbersome necessity.

Key Takeaways

Data Governance as an Asset: Discover how a shift in perspective towards data governance can transform it from a regulatory burden into a strategic advantage for organizations.

Complexity Science in Data: While Chris dives into the world of complexity science and its implications for data management, the focus remains on practical, actionable insights that data leaders can apply.

Agile and Fractal Patterns: Explore the application of Agile methodologies and fractal patterns in managing data teams and organizational change, an area Chris is particularly passionate about.

Data Teams’ Success Factors: Learn about the key factors for success in data teams, including starting small with experiments, adopting a data governance view for managing data quality, and thinking in terms of data products and data mesh architecture.

Episode Highlights

[00:00 to 01:30]: Chris's diverse background and his approach to merging data, engineering, and leadership.

[01:30 to 03:30]: Insights from his podcast “Engines of Creation” on applying complexity theory to business leadership and management.

[03:30 to 08:00]: Discussion on treating organizations as complex systems and the relevance of Agile and fractal patterns.

[08:00 to 14:00]: Chris's role at Barcelona Technology School and the importance of practical learning in data science education.

[14:00 to 20:30]: Strategies for managing organizational complexity through leverage points and feedback loops.

[20:30 to 25:00]: Student reactions to complexity theory and data governance in the curriculum.

[25:00 to 35:00]: Detailed exploration of the factors leading to the success of data teams, including data governance and data mesh architecture.

For data leaders and professionals, this episode is a paradigm shift in understanding data governance. You'll gain insights into viewing data governance as a valuable asset, influencing how you manage and leverage data within your organization for strategic advantage.

Resources and Recommendations

Listen to Chris Mastrodonato's Podcast "Engines of Creation": For a deeper dive into complexity science and its application in organizational management.

Connect with Chris Mastrodonato: Reach out to him on LinkedIn for more insights and discussions.

Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Data Team Success podcast. We hope the conversation with Chris Mastrodonato opens new perspectives on data governance and its role in your organization.

Stay tuned for more episodes that empower you with the knowledge and tools for success in the dynamic world of data leadership. This is Ross Webb, signing off until next time!

Welcome to Data Team Success, the podcast where data teams come to find out how to build bridges to success.

Your host, Ross Webb, is joined by data architecture virtuoso, Luis, Visionary VP of Data at Pension B.

This episode is proudly brought to you in partnership with Amplitude, leaders in product analytics.

Episode Highlights:

The 720-10 Rule & Reimagining Data Teams

Luis discusses the innovative 720-10 rule for data team management.

Learn how to supercharge your data career and elevate your data team's capabilities.

Data Champions: A Strategy for Scalability

The concept of 'Data Champions' is unveiled, showcasing how to enhance productivity without scaling team size.

Luis shares how Pension B became a data-driven company by empowering each department with data.

The Balancing Act: Development vs Ad-Hoc Requests

Discover Luis's strategy for balancing 70% development with 10% ad-hoc tasks to keep data teams focused on long-term impact.

Understand the importance of not drowning in ad-hoc requests and the significance of project-based mindsets for career growth.

Internal Career Development & Cross-Functional Expertise

Hear about the success stories at Pension B, where team members have transitioned roles, showcasing the versatility and adaptability of the workforce.

Learn how internal career development has positively impacted team dynamics and data insights.

Conclusion:

Luis has provided a masterclass on the role of Data Champions and the management of successful data teams.

Connect with Luis on LinkedIn to continue gaining insights from his wealth of experience.

Acknowledgments:

Special thanks to Amplitude for their support in producing this series.

Dive into the world of data strategy with our special guest, Cosmin Condurache, a trailblazer in data management and strategy. This episode of our Data Leaders Podcast is a treasure trove for anyone eager to drive impactful changes in their organization's approach to data.

🔍 Episode Highlights:

Evolving Landscape of Data: Journey with Cosmin Condurache through the transformative world of data, from on-premises databases to the current era of democratized data.

Blueprint for Successful Data Execution: Uncover the triad of success – the right people, processes, and technology.

Data-Driven Decision Making Challenges: Explore the common pitfalls in data collection and its practical utilization.

Formula One and Data Analytics: A fascinating intersection of Cosmin's passions - data and racing, and how data analytics is revolutionizing Formula One.

Data in Problem-Solving: Strategies for leveraging data in addressing user-centric and internal business challenges.

Data Quality Essentials: Understanding the pillars of high-quality data - accuracy, consistency, relevance, and completeness.

Tailoring Data Expert Recruitment: Matching your hiring strategy to your organization's data maturity and literacy levels.

Adapting to Changing Data Metrics: The dynamic nature of data metrics and their relevance over time.

Choosing the Right CDO: The importance of appointing a Chief Data Officer who aligns with your organization's data needs.

Cultivating a Data Culture: The role of culture in the success of data projects and strategies within organizations.

🌟 Key Takeaways for Leaders:

Individual Influence in Data Culture: How individual perspectives can significantly contribute to cultivating a strong data culture.

Elevating Data Literacy: The pivotal role of data literacy in setting your organization apart in the competitive landscape.

Strategic Data Management for Success: How effective data strategy can position you as a standout leader, driving both organizational success and your professional growth.

Join us for a profound discussion with Cosmin Condurache, as he sheds light on the nuances of data strategy, literacy, and culture in modern organizations.

Learn how to harness the power of data storytelling to make a real impact on your organization with the CMO of Singlestore, Madhukar Kumar

• Data leaders are increasingly adopting a product mindset to drive innovation and business value.
• Data products are becoming essential for providing specific domains of data to specific users while maintaining governance.
• SingleStore is a real-time data platform that combines SQL and columnar analytics for transactional and analytical use cases.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Data Team Success podcast, host Ross Webb interviews Madhukar Kumar, CMO of SingleStore, to discuss the importance of adopting a product mindset for data leaders and the rise of data products.

Madhukar shares his insights on how data leaders can transform their strategies and use data as a key differentiator for their organizations. He also discusses the benefits of using a product mindset for data products and stories, and how this can help data teams move away from a focus on infrastructure and plumbing.

Key Points:

• Data leaders need to be close to the product in order to understand the needs of their customers and develop effective marketing strategies.
• A product mindset is essential for creating data products that are valuable to users and meet their specific needs.
• SingleStore is a powerful tool that can help data leaders implement real-time data transformation and revolutionize their data strategies.

Show Notes:

• Introduction:
• Madhukar is a pioneer in the field of real-time data solutions.
• He has a wealth of experience in helping organizations use data to drive innovation and business value.
• Importance of Being Close to the Product:
• Data leaders need to understand the product in order to develop effective marketing strategies.
• They need to be able to articulate the value of the product to potential customers.
• Adoption of a Product Mindset:
• A product mindset is essential for creating data products that are valuable to users.
• Data leaders need to think about the product from the user's perspective.
• Rise of Data Products:
• Data products are becoming increasingly important for organizations.
• They provide a way to deliver specific domains of data to specific users while maintaining governance.
• SingleStore & Real-time Capabilities:
• SingleStore is a real-time data platform that combines SQL and columnar analytics.
• It can be used to implement real-time data transformation and revolutionize data strategies.

Conclusion:

Data leaders are playing an increasingly important role in organizations. By adopting a product mindset and using data products, they can help their organizations achieve their goals and stay ahead of the competition.

Additional Resources:

• Madhukar Kumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhukarkumar/
• SingleStore: https://singlestore.com/

Call to Action:

• Follow Madhukar Kumar on LinkedIn for more thought-provoking discussions on data leadership.
• 
  
• Don't miss the next episode of the Data Team Success podcast, where we unravel the mysteries of data storytelling and its impact on the enterprise world. Stay tuned or miss out on the next big step in your career!