Making Better Decisions: Leaders in Data

“Any business is in data business”. Arman Eshraghi, Founder and CEO of Qrvey, joins Ryan today, where they discuss looking at data as an asset to the business. Arman shares his extensive experience in the field of business analytics, emphasizing the importance of high-quality, relevant data for making impactful business decisions. The discussion covers various aspects of data strategy, including the importance of separating data collection and data utilization, the role of low-code and no-code environments, and the significance of data literacy within organizations. Arman advises leaders to embrace data-driven decision-making and explains how to cultivate a strong data culture. Additionally, he gives a glimpse into his personal interests, such as designing strategy games and hiking. This episode provides valuable insights for both technical and non-technical business leaders looking to leverage data effectively.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the Importance of Data Quality: Focus on maintaining high-quality data to ensure meaningful insights. Poor data quality can lead to misleading outcomes and wasted resources.
• Adopt a Step-by-Step Approach: Instead of trying to perfect everything upfront, adopt a phased approach and continuously refine your data strategies.
• Hire Data Experts: If you lack data expertise, hire someone who can effectively manage and interpret data to support business decisions.
• Utilize No-Code/Low-Code Tools: Empower non-technical users with no-code/low-code tools to allow them to manipulate and analyze data without needing deep technical skills.
• Democratize Data Usage: Give various stakeholders within the organization access to data tools, allowing them to derive insights relevant to their specific roles.

Quote of the Show:

• “It is the worst mistake to not be data savvy today.” - Arman Eshraghi

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aeshraghi/ 
• Website: https://qrvey.com/ 

Check out our SubStack! https://substack.com/@makingbetterdecisions1 

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PpvYXoXjAYl8auDpmShYi 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data/id1739178505 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5e2ec300-0c66-4e24-8b01-0586af60235c/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/making-better-decisions-leader-5672586 
• Transistor: https://www.makingbetterdecisions.live/episodes 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingBetterDecisions/podcasts 

Today we niche down to discuss mortgage data and analytics. Brennan O’Connell, Director of Data Solutions at Optimal Blue joins to dive into how leveraging data can significantly enhance decision-making within the mortgage industry. The conversation touches on the importance of connecting disparate data sets, understanding market pricing relative to internal data, and effectively building a data-driven decision structure. They explore how actionable insights for mortgage originators can be derived from analyzing both internal and external datasets. The episode also highlights Optimal Blue’s Market Advantage Report and Podcast as key resources for industry insights.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand Your Decision-Making Goals: Start with the decision in mind before delving into data collection and reporting. This ensures that all data analysis efforts are aligned with the key decisions that need to be made.
• Integrate Disparate Data Sets: Work towards integrating all relevant data sources into a single coherent view. This will help in making more informed and accurate decisions without the need to switch between multiple platforms or data sets.
• Focus on KPIs: Define clear key performance indicators (KPIs) to determine what success looks like for your organization.
• Communicate Reporting Effectively: Ensure that the reports generated are read and understood by the decision-makers. Simplify complex data into easy-to-understand and actionable reports.
• Human-Readable Reporting: Transform raw data into charts, graphs, and reports that are easy to read and interpret. This makes it easier for non-technical stakeholders to engage with the data.

Quote of the Show:

• “ Data is an observation of reality. It gives you better visualization into what the world is around you.” - Brennan O’Connell

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennan-oconnell/ 
• Website: https://www2.optimalblue.com/ 
• Optimal Blue Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/market-advantage-mortgage-trends-and-expert-insights/id1770120858 

Check out our SubStack! https://substack.com/@makingbetterdecisions1 

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PpvYXoXjAYl8auDpmShYi 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data/id1739178505 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5e2ec300-0c66-4e24-8b01-0586af60235c/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/making-better-decisions-leader-5672586 
• Transistor: https://www.makingbetterdecisions.live/episodes 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingBetterDecisions/podcasts 

“ I strongly believe that you can take a horse and attach a unicorn by training them to think differently.” Jacquie Bailey, Director of Analytics at Designit, joins the show today to discuss how best to transform a seemingly ordinary analyst into a unicorn, somebody who balances the technical and business aspects. She emphasizes the need to think beyond historical measurements to identify actionable levers that can influence future results. Jacquie shares insights on understanding three-dimensional problems in analytics, the importance of data accessibility, and how organizations can foster a data-driven culture.

Key Takeaways:

• Think Beyond Historical Data: Emphasize the value of using data to influence future outcomes rather than just measuring past events. Encourage an analytical mindset focused on identifying actionable levers that can impact business decisions.
• Understand the Problem in 3D: Recognize that business problems are multi-dimensional, involving processes, people, and various factors. Ensure a thorough understanding of all components influencing the outcome.
• Engage with Real-World Context: Spend time understanding the real-world context of the data. This could involve activities such as walking the manufacturing floor or engaging with different departments to understand the processes being analyzed.
• Promote Data as a Valuable Product: Advocate for viewing data as a valuable product rather than a static asset. Highlight the potential ROI of data projects to gain better investment and resources.
• Plan for Future Risks: Consider the long-term sustainability of data processes, especially concerning potential retirements or layoffs. Develop resilient processes that do.

Quote of the Show:

• “ Analytics is who I am, not as much what I do. I am incapable of not analyzing everything around me.” - Jacquie Bailey

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquie-bailey-158a9311/ 
• Website: https://www.designit.com/ 
• Jacquie’s Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeadedDesignsJacquie 

Check out our SubStack! https://substack.com/@makingbetterdecisions1 

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PpvYXoXjAYl8auDpmShYi 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data/id1739178505 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5e2ec300-0c66-4e24-8b01-0586af60235c/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/making-better-decisions-leader-5672586 
• Transistor: https://www.makingbetterdecisions.live/episodes 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingBetterDecisions/podcasts 

What does AI consciousness mean? Today, Stephanie Shipp, Director of Business Analytics at Beacon Building Products joins to hash out this exact question, drawing from her background in philosophy and AI. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of balancing speed, insights, and accuracy in analytics. She talks about the need for setting clear expectations with stakeholders using accuracy scores and the importance of understanding the business context. The episode concludes with a discussion on the challenges of rapid technological advancements and the need for continuous learning and skill development in analytics.

Key Takeaways:

• Balance Speed, Insights, and Accuracy: Emphasize the importance of finding a balance between speed and accuracy when analyzing data to make timely and informed decisions. Understand and communicate the trade-offs to stakeholders clearly.
• Set Clear Expectations with Accuracy Scores: Implement accuracy scores or similar metrics to manage stakeholder expectations better. By doing so, you can help set realistic expectations about the reliability and precision of data insights.
• Report Real-World Impact: Move beyond basic reporting metrics to provide insights that are actionable. Help stakeholders understand the broader implications of the data, rather than just presenting the numbers.
• Focus on Fair Metrics: Implement fair metrics in your analytics to account for variables such as seasonal changes, business days, and other relevant factors. This ensures more accurate performance evaluation.
• Embrace Challenges and New Discoveries: Foster an environment where new ideas and anomalies are explored. Encourage your team to be curious and to pursue insights that may challenge the status quo.

Quote of the Show:

• “ Understand the business, understand changes in the business, and don't lose sight of that.” - Stephanie Shipp

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieshipp1/ 
• Website: https://www.becn.com/ 
• Website: https://www.unc.edu/ 

Check out our SubStack! https://substack.com/@makingbetterdecisions1 

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PpvYXoXjAYl8auDpmShYi 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data/id1739178505 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5e2ec300-0c66-4e24-8b01-0586af60235c/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/making-better-decisions-leader-5672586 
• Transistor: https://www.makingbetterdecisions.live/episodes 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingBetterDecisions/podcasts 

How can we effectively manage risk? Sashi Tadinada, Vice President of Actuarial and Analytics at NFP joins the show today to hash out risk management and probability. Sashi dives deep into the importance of feedback in data modeling. Sashi and Ryan discuss the common misconceptions about data models, the role of iteration, and how to effectively communicate the range of outcomes to stakeholders. The conversation also explores how businesses can prepare for catastrophic events, although rare. This episode provides valuable insights for business leaders on making informed decisions using data analytics.

Key Takeaways:

• Prioritize Real-World Feedback: Constantly incorporate feedback from real-world data and stakeholders to improve and iterate on models and solutions.
• Educate Stakeholders on Model Limitations: Ensure that stakeholders understand the probabilistic nature of models to prevent misconceptions about their accuracy.
• Focus on Risk-Adjusted Decisions: Make decisions by weighing the potential benefits against the risks, considering both average outcomes and extreme possibilities.
• Educate About Probability Misconceptions: Raise awareness about common misconceptions in probability, such as underestimating high-probability events and overestimating low-probability, high-impact events.
• Foster a Learning Culture: Share books and resources on probabilistic and statistical thinking, like Nassim Taleb's "Black Swan," to deepen understanding among team members.

Quote of the Show:

• “ I spend my entire time modeling the real world in some way, trying to predict something. The main important thing for me always is how useful it is.” - Sashi Tadinada

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sashi-kanth-tadinada/ 
• Website: https://www.nfp.com/ 

Check out our SubStack! https://substack.com/@makingbetterdecisions1 

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PpvYXoXjAYl8auDpmShYi 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data/id1739178505 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5e2ec300-0c66-4e24-8b01-0586af60235c/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/making-better-decisions-leader-5672586 
• Transistor: https://www.makingbetterdecisions.live/episodes 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingBetterDecisions/podcasts 

“ The focus is on driving the business outcomes and the last mile delivery.” Ryan welcomes Parag Shrivastava, the Global Director and Head of the Data and Analytics Portfolio at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. With nearly 25 years of experience in the field, Parag discusses his journey ranging from electrical engineering to roles in major companies like Sama, Deloitte, and McKesson. They discuss the importance of turning raw data into actionable business outcomes, focusing on last-mile delivery, balancing data infrastructure, and the human element involved in data storytelling and adoption. Parag also touches on crucial aspects of change management and shares practical applications of traditional machine learning, LLMs, and AI in improving supply chains and optimizing healthcare systems. 

Key Takeaways:

• Focus on Business Outcomes and Last Mile Delivery: Ensure that data initiatives include clear plans for implementing and using insights to drive productivity and performance improvements.
• Balance Infrastructure with Actionable Insights: While keeping infrastructure robust and modern is crucial, the emphasis should be on actionable insights that directly benefit the end-users.
• Data Storytelling and Simplicity: Ensure the data insights are presented in a simple, consumable format. Dashboards and reports should be easy to understand and actionable to facilitate better decision-making.
• Implement Incremental Changes: Embrace an agile approach to data projects. Deliver value in incremental steps rather than trying to roll out everything at once.
• Change Management Across All Phases: Effectively manage change by involving users early in the ideation, execution, and operational phases. Use design thinking and continuous feedback loops to improve the adoption and usability of data initiatives.

Quote of the Show:

• “ It's a data-driven decision. It's not based on emotions.” - Parag Shrivastava

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pshr/ 
• Website: https://www.hpe.com/us/en/home.html 

Check out our SubStack! https://substack.com/@makingbetterdecisions1 

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PpvYXoXjAYl8auDpmShYi 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data/id1739178505 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5e2ec300-0c66-4e24-8b01-0586af60235c/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/making-better-decisions-leader-5672586 
• Transistor: https://www.makingbetterdecisions.live/episodes 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingBetterDecisions/podcasts 

“It’s not just about the cool shiny tool.” Today Ryan welcomes Catalina Herrera, Field Chief Data Officer at Dataiku. She discusses her extensive background in engineering and AI, emphasizing the importance of data governance, trust, and frameworks in achieving data-driven success. She explains that effective data use involves seamless organizational collaboration, clear roles, and responsibility. She touches on challenges faced by both large and small organizations in deriving value from data, highlighting the need for digitalized processes and AI literacy. The two also dive into the necessity of holistic frameworks for maintaining data integrity and avoiding negative outcomes in AI deployments. The episode highlights the essential balance between technical infrastructure and human factors in leveraging data for better business decisions.

Key Takeaways:

• Foster AI Literacy: Ensure that your team and leadership are well-versed in AI and data concepts. This includes understanding the basics of machine learning, data governance, and how data-driven decisions can benefit the organization.
• Break Down Silos: Eliminate data and team silos to promote collaboration and integrated data pipelines.
• Enable Proactive Maintenance: Don’t just focus on the shiny new tools. Regularly maintain and update your data infrastructure. Ensure your systems are resilient and capable of delivering accurate insights over time.
• Measure and Communicate ROI: Regularly measure the ROI of your data initiatives and communicate these metrics clearly to stakeholders. This helps demonstrate the tangible benefits and justifies continued investment in data and analytics.
• Adopt a Framework for Data Integration: Use integrated frameworks to connect various data assets and analytics tools. This approach helps provide a holistic view of data and ensures that insights are generated within a consistent and controlled environment.

Quote of the Show:

• “ Without trust, you don't have a group of people making better decisions, and that trust doesn't happen if you don't know that behind the scenes you have a framework.” - Catalina Herrera

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herreracatalina/ 
• Website: https://www.dataiku.com/ 
• Paint by Numbers: https://thetasteofbalance.com/ 

Check out our SubStack! https://substack.com/@makingbetterdecisions1 

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PpvYXoXjAYl8auDpmShYi 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data/id1739178505 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5e2ec300-0c66-4e24-8b01-0586af60235c/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/making-better-decisions-leader-5672586 
• Transistor: https://www.makingbetterdecisions.live/episodes 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingBetterDecisions/podcasts 

We’re going all-in on a customer-centric mindset! Ryan welcomes Yin Warner, Senior Director and Head of Enterprise Data Management at First American to discuss a range of topics, including the balance between data accuracy and speed in the financial sector, risk management, the challenges of enterprise data management across different reporting pipelines, and the importance of data literacy and effective communication. Yin also discusses her curiosity-driven approach to problem-solving, her research interests outside of work, and the value of ongoing learning and networking. 

Key Takeaways:

• Instill a Customer-Centric Mindset: Encourage your team to apply a customer-centric approach when using data for decision-making. Understanding customer behavior and needs helps break down silos and maximizes data value.
• Emphasize Business Context: Make sure your data initiatives are closely aligned with business objectives. Data should be used to drive business outcomes and solve real business problems.
• Start with Focused, Iterative Projects: Avoid trying to solve all data challenges at once. Start with focused projects that deliver tangible business value and build from there.
• Balance Decentralized and Centralized Data Functions: Depending on the organization’s size, consider whether to decentralize data analytics functions for greater agility and efficiency or keep it centralized for consistency.
• Manage External and Internal Data Reporting Needs: Understand that different stakeholders will require different types of reports and data contexts. Create systems that can handle both internal performance metrics and external regulatory reporting smoothly.

Quote of the Show:

• “ I believe data really is the footprints that we left behind through what we do, how we interact business-wide.” - Yin Warner

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yin-warner/ 
• Website: https://www.firstam.com/ 

Check out our SubStack! https://substack.com/@makingbetterdecisions1 

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PpvYXoXjAYl8auDpmShYi 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data/id1739178505 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5e2ec300-0c66-4e24-8b01-0586af60235c/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/making-better-decisions-leader-5672586 
• Transistor: https://www.makingbetterdecisions.live/episodes 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingBetterDecisions/podcasts 

Today we discuss the human touch in analytics with Bhupi Arora, VP of Business Data Analytics and Insights at Hitachi Vantara. The discussion delves into the challenges of using data to inform decision-making in an era of overwhelming data abundance. Bhupi shares insights on connecting fragmented data, ethical AI use, and the importance of maintaining a narrow focus on business outcomes. They also explore the future of analytics, the role of change management, and the human elements essential to navigating the evolving landscape of data and AI. Throughout the conversation, Ryan and Bhupi emphasize the need for a strategic approach to data and analytics, balancing technological advancements with empathetic leadership. The episode wraps up with reflections on the optimistic potential of AI to drive positive change across diverse sectors and regions.

Key Takeaways:

• Focus on Strategic Objectives: Clearly define what your organization aims to achieve with data and analytics.
• Empathy in Change Management: Use empathy to understand stakeholders' motivations and resistance.
• Scaling Analytics: Create a coherent, unified vision for data across the organization to improve decision-making.
• Blinders for Focus: In the face of overwhelming data and tools, focus on the most critical business questions and use cases. Then, gradually expand your scope rather than attempting to address all at once.
• Promote Analytics Internally: Address the "marketing problem" for analytics by clearly defining and demonstrating its value within the organization.

Quote of the Show:

• “ Making sense with the data that we have today without drowning in its chaos is what matters the most.” - Bhupi Arora

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhupindersarora/ 
• Website: https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/home/ 

Check out our SubStack! https://substack.com/@makingbetterdecisions1 

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PpvYXoXjAYl8auDpmShYi 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data/id1739178505 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5e2ec300-0c66-4e24-8b01-0586af60235c/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/making-better-decisions-leader-5672586 
• Transistor: https://www.makingbetterdecisions.live/episodes 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingBetterDecisions/podcasts 

What happens when technically inclined people work with non-technical individuals? Robin Sutara, Field Chief Data Strategy Officer at Databricks, says that is where the most valuable contributions come from. Robin shares her journey from repairing Apache helicopters in the U.S. Army to holding prominent roles at Microsoft, and her contributions to the field of data strategy and AI. She discusses the importance of using data in everyday decisions, the challenges of implementing data-driven transformations in organizations with legacy systems, and the crucial role of data engineering. Robin also emphasizes the need for greater diversity in data roles and highlights her involvement with Women Leaders in Data and AI, an initiative aiming to increase gender representation in the field. The conversation provides valuable insights on the evolving landscape of data and technology and the importance of bridging technical capabilities with domain expertise.

Key Takeaways:

• Recognize Everyday Use of Data: Understand that data is already a part of daily decision-making processes. Encourage organizational members to see data usage as a natural extension of their current habits.
• Rethink People, Process, and Operations: Emphasize the role of people and processes in successful data transformation.
• Foster Domain Expertise Integration: Use diverse perspectives to enrich data solutions and spark innovation.
• Articulate the Value of Data Engineering: Communicate the ROI of data engineering efforts by referencing cost savings, productivity gains, and unique insights.
• Establish Clear Data Governance: Define and enforce policies for data quality, metadata management, and lifecycle management.

Quote of the Show:

• “ I really wish people would come to the realization that data is not this outlier thing. It's not a new or novel concept. It is something that you're already using today.” - Robin Sutara

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-sutara/ 
• Website: https://www.databricks.com/ 

Check out our SubStack! https://substack.com/@makingbetterdecisions1 

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PpvYXoXjAYl8auDpmShYi 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data/id1739178505 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5e2ec300-0c66-4e24-8b01-0586af60235c/making-better-decisions-leaders-in-data 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/making-better-decisions-leader-5672586 
• Transistor: https://www.makingbetterdecisions.live/episodes 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingBetterDecisions/podcasts