In this podcast episode, we speak with Melissa Perotti about the reality gap in data-driven organizations and her proven framework for building analytics capabilities that deliver genuine business value. We explore how companies can move beyond simply collecting metrics to creating strategic impact through data. Melissa, Head of Product Analytics - Consumer Journey at bol, shares candid insights from her nine years of experience at this ecommerce platform, revealing the critical cornerstones most organizations miss despite massive investments in analytics infrastructure. In this episode, we cover the following subjects: The unique perspective Melissa gained from her background in both finance and marketing, creating what she calls "the best of both worlds" for data analytics.How organizations can establish a proper "data fundament" before scaling their analytics efforts, ensuring they have the necessary context and framework.Why data work requires both analytical rigor and creative thinking.The four essential cornerstones of Melissa's data framework that separate truly data-driven organizations from those merely collecting metrics.Common pitfalls in data interpretation and how teams can overcome resistance to uncomfortable data truths.Strategies for balancing data-driven decision making with human expertise and judgment.How bol compares to other organizations in data maturity and what they've learned from industry leaders.The ethical challenges facing data professionals, including the tension between personalization and privacy protection.How data visualization and storytelling transform insights into action across the organization.The evolution from basic reporting to predictive analytics and the organizational changes required along this journey.Question from the previous guestDilemma: Personalization or Privacy? Melissa faces the challenging question of whether organizations should prioritize personalized customer experiences or stronger privacy protections when collecting and utilizing data.Links:LinkedIn Evolving Digital https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/evolving-digital-podcast Instagram Evolving Digital https://www.instagram.com/evolvingdigital.podcast/?hl=en Facebook Evolving Digital https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566815356179 LinkedIn Melissa Perotti https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-perotti-1a420913