In our latest enthralling episode of Data Team Success, host Ross Webb sits down with the visionary Darren Wood, Head of Data Product Strategy at ITV, to delve into the transformative world of data in the broadcasting industry.

Tune in as Darren pulls back the curtain on the strategies that are propelling ITV to the forefront of data-driven decision-making. Here's a sneak peek at the top insights that you, as data leaders, will find not just interesting but essential:

• Innovation Through Integration: Darren reveals how ITV is breaking new ground by integrating advanced data analytics into their product strategy, leading to innovative content delivery that’s reshaping viewer experiences.
• Data-Driven Storytelling: Learn about the fascinating ways ITV is using data to inform storytelling, driving deeper engagement by tailoring content to viewer preferences discovered through cutting-edge data interpretation.
• Cultivating a Data Culture: Discover the steps ITV is taking under Darren's leadership to foster a culture where data is not just a tool, but a core aspect of every strategic decision, elevating their business model to new heights.
• The Future is Personal: Darren gives us a glimpse into the future, sharing how personalization is becoming the cornerstone of ITV's strategy, and how data is enabling a more intimate connection with their audience.

Attention Data Leaders: This is more than a conversation; it’s a masterclass in leveraging data for success in the competitive world of broadcasting. Whether you're a Chief Data Officer, a data enthusiast, or simply intrigued by the nexus of data and media, this episode will arm you with the insights to turn information into action.

Don't miss out on this captivating dialogue that's sure to spark innovation within your own teams. Press play now to be part of the revolution that's changing the face of corporate data strategy.

🎙️ Hey there, Data Enthusiasts! Ross Webb here, bringing you another insightful episode of 'Data Team Success.' 🚀

This time, I had the fantastic opportunity to sit down with none other than Thomas Milner, a true game-changer in data strategy and management. We unpacked tons of wisdom throughout our chat, and I can't wait for you to discover the gems that Thomas shared with us, insights that are shaping the future of data platforms and leadership.

Here’s a sneak peek at the knowledge bombs Thomas dropped:

• Product Mindset is King: We talked about the importance of transitioning from the old ways of one-off solutions to viewing data platforms as dynamic products, focusing on reusable assets that enrich business value. It's not just a warehouse—it's a revolutionized platform!
• The Non-Negotiables - CI/CD and Testing: Thomas illuminated the need for rock-solid continuous practices and thorough testing protocols. If you're looking for reliability and trust in your data platform, this part of our conversation is a must-listen.
• Elevating Your Team's Game: We explored how critical it is to invest in our teams. From deep-diving into data engineering subtleties to ensuring everyone’s maximizing the platform's capabilities, nurturing talent and knowledge is key.
• Keeping Your Finger on the Platform’s Pulse: Thomas gave an expert rundown on the crucial metrics that all data leaders need to monitor. He made a complex topic super digestible, covering aspects from query nuances to smart cost measures that keep a platform at peak performance.
• Juggling Priorities Like a Pro: We also touched on the art of backlog grooming and stakeholder communications—a constant juggle. Thomas offered brilliant advice on keeping balanced without losing sight of the big picture.
• Onboarding the Best: Hiring is an art form, and Thomas shared some personal anecdotes and strategies on authentic hiring processes that have helped him build powerhouse teams.

Quotables from Thomas:

• "You're not building a data warehouse, you're building a data platform. There is a difference, you need to think about that." — This really resonated with me, highlighting our need to innovate in the data sphere.
• "As a product owner, I have to do that balancing. It's tempting to get your head down and just code, but you need to bring your head up and you need to look at what's coming." — A valuable reminder for all of us at the helm of data management.
• "If we can get somebody else to do it for us with a cloud service or vendor platform, that saves me having to hire one or two people to build a bespoke solution that we then need to maintain ourselves over time." — Wise words on being resource-savvy in our ever-evolving field.

I urge you not to miss this episode! Thomas truly brought a wealth of knowledge to the table, and whether you're a seasoned data leader or just starting, there's something in here for you.

Tune in and let's continue driving data innovation together!

To your success,

Ross Webb

Join me, Ross Webb, in a fascinating episode of 'Data Team Success,' featuring Ammara Gafoor, Principal Business Analyst at Thoughtworks, known for her exceptional skill in bridging the gap between technical complexity and business needs. In our discussion,

Ammara shares her expertise and unique approaches to fostering understanding and collaboration between technical teams and business stakeholders.

Key Insights:

- Securing Executive Buy-In:** Ammara emphasizes the importance of demystifying tech language for business executives. She shares strategies for translating complex technical concepts into discernible business impacts, ensuring alignment and understanding across all leadership levels.

- Trust in Data Through Product Thinking: Delve into how applying product thinking to data can build trust and reliability. Ammara discusses understanding the end goals of users and how this approach influences successful data management and strategy.

- Enhancing Confidence and Knowledge Sharing: Learn about Ammara's innovative "pairing" system, where non-technical team members collaborate closely with developers, fostering a culture of shared knowledge and increased confidence.

- Communicating Data Insights: Uncover the significance of regularly presenting clear, actionable insights from data projects to stakeholders, reinforcing the value and potential of your data initiatives.

- Eliminating Isolation in Data Engineering: Ammara speaks candidly about the common challenge of data engineers working in silos and how to combat this by facilitating communication and understanding between technical and business areas.

- Empowering Teams with Hands-On Learning: Explore the benefits of interactive learning approaches, including "train the trainer" programs and practical sessions, to continuously upskill and engage your data team.

- A Day in the Life of a Data Leader: Gain a glimpse into the multifaceted world of a data leader, from perpetual learning to strategic planning, metric analysis, and consistent stakeholder engagement.

Memorable Quotes:

- "It's a two-way street. You cannot get away with saying, 'Hey, I don't understand tech jargon anymore.' You better educate yourself in tech jargon. At the same time, tech leaders better educate themselves on business jargon." — A compelling call for mutual understanding in the evolving business landscape.

- "If you provide explicit value to users implicitly, your company will continue to fund you. That's wishful thinking mostly doesn't happen." — A pragmatic reflection on the need for proactive value demonstration in data projects.

- "I often look at what is the strategy of the team coming up in the next... I take a step back from what are we delivering right now, but what do we want to achieve in, say, three months and what do we want to achieve in six months?" — Insight into the forward-thinking mindset essential for long-term success.

In this episode, Ammara Gafoor brings to light the often-overlooked skill of translating between the technical and business realms, providing a wealth of advice for data leaders aiming to enhance collaboration, understanding, and strategic foresight within their teams. Tune in to explore these insights and more, aimed at elevating your approach to data leadership.

Join the journey of discovery, innovation, and success in the world of data, here on 'Data Team Success' with your host, Ross Webb.

Join us for a riveting session on the Data Team Success Podcast as we decode the secrets of thriving data ecosystems with Simon Thelin, a data maestro at 7Bridges. Dive into a world where data is not just numbers but an energized puzzle waiting to be solved. Simon takes us through the labyrinth of effective data leadership, far removed from the buzz of startups, into the core of established realms craving innovation.

What's Buzzing in This Episode:

1. The Art of Data Diplomacy: Simon reveals why speaking 'data' in the language of business is not espionage but necessary for survival. Discover how bridging this lingual chasm could unlock a treasure trove of dormant organizational superpowers.

2. Data Mesh Demystified: Think 'data mesh' is all tech-noir? Simon lights the way by breaking down how its principles are reshaping traditional boundaries and inviting a collaborative rebellion within conventional industries.

3. The Data Leader's Daily Dance:Stripping away the startup glam, Simon gives a raw view of a data leader's day in the trenches of an established enterprise. It's less about the routine and more about juggling, strategizing, and sometimes, firefighting!

4. Innovation as a Leader: Uncover Simon's own operation as he engineers a low-code revolution designed to empower the heros of the data world. It's about quick wins, not long-drawn battles with codes.

5. Join the Data Revolution: Inspired? Intrigued? Simon's throwing open the doors for collaboration, learning, and perhaps a bit of data anarchy. Let’s stir the pot together!

Why You Can't Miss This:

This episode isn't just a podcast; it's an adventure into the mind of a data whisperer. Simon Thelin doesn’t just work with data; he speaks its language, understands its moods, and more importantly, respects its potential.

From fostering 'data democracies' to spearheading rogue innovations, Simon’s narrative is a spark that could set the data leadership realm ablaze.

Tune in and step into a universe where data isn’t just binary — it’s the beginning of endless possibilities.

Join us on an exhilarating episode of Product Team Success as we dive into the world of data-driven product management with the brilliant Emily Reid.

In this thought-provoking conversation, Emily takes us on her remarkable journey as a product expert, sharing invaluable insights and strategies for harnessing the true potential of data in building successful products.

From her extensive experience in managing internal data products for a large enterprise bank, Emily emphasizes the transformative power of viewing data as a product itself, rather than an afterthought. She reveals the evolving landscape of data as a product and highlights the need to stay ahead in this fast-paced environment.

Emily delves into the challenges of complex product development and explains how focus on necessary, albeit less glamorous tasks can elevate the overall quality of a product. She dissects the misconceptions surrounding being "data-driven," stressing the importance of outcomes and human decision-making in addition to quantitative analysis.

Our conversation takes an exciting turn as Emily walks us through cutting-edge data tools and technologies. From Google's AppSheet revolutionizing front-end creation to map reduce capturing unstructured data, she paints a vivid picture of how the intersection of product management, data, and engineering can reshape the landscape.

We explore the critical role of automation, alternative approaches, and human psychology in product development, as well as the key elements of an MVP and its relevance in both start-ups and enterprises. Emily shares invaluable insights on effectively communicating the value of products to large enterprises, and understanding the significance of data maturity, scalability, and cleanliness.

But the journey doesn't end there! Get ready for an enlightening discussion on the evolving role of marketers in leveraging data analytics, the future of product management, and the fascinating overlap between scientific backgrounds and product leadership.

So, don't miss out on this electrifying episode filled with eye-opening revelations and practical strategies.

Tune in to "Unlocking the Power of Data: A Journey to Product Success with Emily Reid" on Product Team Success, and unlock the secrets to propel your products towards unprecedented levels of achievement.

On this episode of Data Team Success, our guest Bhavik Patel sheds light on the challenges and misconceptions faced by product managers in effectively utilizing data and tools.

From the discrepancy between CTO preferences and the needs of other team members to the lack of technical know-how among product managers, Bhavik emphasizes the importance of proper tooling and understanding data schema.

He discusses the barriers faced in creating a data-driven culture within product organizations and highlights the need for product managers to have a deeper understanding of the business and communicate the benefits of their products.

Bhavik shares real-life examples and his experience in bridging the gap between product management and marketing.

He also discusses the healthy tension between product managers and engineers, the need for clear team goals and communication, and the importance of aligning products with company goals. Bhavik addresses the challenges faced in training product managers on analytics and data, and emphasizes the need for product managers to have a strong understanding of technology stacks and ROI.

Join us as we explore the crucial role of product managers and data teams in achieving data team success.