The Data Storytellers Podcast

Bojan Duric (Chief Data Officer at the City of Virginia Beach)On this episode of The Data Storytellers podcast, we discuss how the City of Virginia Beach is leveraging data to address issues like sea level rise and improve transparency for residents. We hear from Bojan Duric, Chief Data Officer of Virginia Beach, about his journey transforming the organization into a data-driven culture through initiatives in open data, performance metrics, and empowering employees. The conversation highlights both the challenges and opportunities of driving change through data in local government, emphasizing relationship-building, communication, and developing a shared understanding of how to maximize value for stakeholders.Connect with us:• Website: https://thedatastorytellers.com/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-data-storytellers• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2N0vZtHZHgod4Tll2LX2xa• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9e56lhYUfORiOHMiLlPmA• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-data-storytellers-podcast/id1493766476Chapters00:00 - Intro04:19 - Leveraging data in a big company06:44 - Creating DDC in government10:21 - Best practice in storytelling for stakeholders to government 19:01 - The data "character"24:06 - Data owners and data ownership28:23 - Defining data drivenness 30:44 - State of data and governments 34:48 - Leadership qualities 41:14 - Change aversion and 'go to market'48:42 - Investment in the CDO role 50:55 - Biggest opportunity of City of Virginia Beach53:59 - Advice and closing

On this episode of The Data Storytellers podcast, we discuss strategies for building a data-driven organization with a focus on customers, outcomes, and cultural adoption. Host Laszlo Mucsi sits down with Kshira Saagra to explore challenges in implementing data initiatives and expectations around data access, personalization, and infrastructure foundations. They examine approaches for overcoming resistance through relationship building, storytelling, and decentralized leadership. Listeners will gain practical guidance on transforming organizations by empowering all roles with data literacy and driving business success through customer insights and outcomes.

Connect with us:

• Website: https://thedatastorytellers.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-data-storytellers

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2N0vZtHZHgod4Tll2LX2xa

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9e56lhYUfORiOHMiLlPmA

• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-data-storytellers-podcast/id1493766476

00:00 - Intro

02:26 - Evolution of role

05:17 - Challenges of the CDO

08:48 - Expectations

12:35 - Initial strategy

17:23 - Tactical approach

20:10 - The right questions

21:21 - Foundations and challenges

24:54 - Getting funding

27:18 - Communications style

30:53 - Storytelling approach

34:19 - Endgame?

38:05 - Opportunities

41:41 - Prioritizing

43:48 - Planting seeds

45:57 - Recommendations and closing

On this episode of The Data Storytellers podcast, we discuss driving analytics-led change through relationship building, scenario planning and hands-on data work. Annie Melnic shares insights from her career leading consumer insights, emphasizing the importance of shared vision, advocacy, trust and empowering stakeholders from all levels of an organization through analytical thinking and storytelling.

Connect with us:

• Website: https://thedatastorytellers.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-data-storytellers

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2N0vZtHZHgod4Tll2LX2xa

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9e56lhYUfORiOHMiLlPmA

• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-data-storytellers-podcast/id1493766476

00:00 - Introduction and overview of topics

05:12 - Importance of asking the right questions and shared vision

10:17 - Current state of data-driven transformation in businesses

15:23 - Moving from "data wonderment" to empowering analysts

20:28 - Biggest opportunities for companies in the data space

25:33 - Speaker's role as evangelist, advocate and relationship builder

30:38 - Recommendations for other analytics leaders

On this episode of The Data Storytellers podcast, we discuss driving analytics-led change through relationship building, scenario planning and hands-on data work. Annie Melnic shares insights from her career leading consumer insights, emphasizing the importance of shared vision, advocacy, trust and empowering stakeholders from all levels of an organization through analytical thinking and storytelling.Connect with us:• Website: https://thedatastorytellers.com/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-data-storytellers• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2N0vZtHZHgod4Tll2LX2xa• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9e56lhYUfORiOHMiLlPmA• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-data-storytellers-podcast/id1493766476

Chapters00:00 - Introduction and overview of topics05:12 - Importance of asking the right questions and shared vision10:17 - Current state of data-driven transformation in businesses15:23 - Moving from "data wonderment" to empowering analysts20:28 - Biggest opportunities for companies in the data space25:33 - Speaker's role as evangelist, advocate and relationship builder30:38 - Recommendations for other analytics leaders

In this episode, Tomás Trenor shares lessons from his career leading data analytics and business intelligence projects. As head of these functions at a major healthcare company, Trenor discusses the importance of understanding business needs and communicating value, not just technology. He emphasizes relationship-building and trust with stakeholders to successfully implement projects. Trenor also stresses the need for data governance to improve decisions. Leaders must sell strategic value, take risks, and foster critical thinking. Through examples at previous roles, Trenor illustrates challenges in connecting technical and business teams and provides advice for navigating data-driven transformation.

Connect with us:

• Website: https://thedatastorytellers.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-data-storytellers

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2N0vZtHZHgod4Tll2LX2xa

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9e56lhYUfORiOHMiLlPmA

• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-data-storytellers-podcast/id1493766476

00:00 - Introduction to Thomas Traynor's background

07:17 - Lessons learned from early career experiences in traffic data

10:27 - The importance of understanding business needs and selling value

15:19 - Building trust in data projects and stakeholders

20:02 - Challenges in becoming data-driven and the role of data governance

25:54 - Advice for data analytics leaders and lessons from previous roles

29:55 - The importance of trust in data science projects

32:18 - Building trust with stakeholders in data analytics projects

37:37 - Data-centric approach to AI, challenges in becoming data-driven

41:40 - Implementing data governance to improve data quality and decision-making

46:35 - Data governance, selling value, and health projects

49:15 - Data-driven decision-making initiative for call centers

59:12 - Using data analytics for personalized health plans

1:07:19 - Leadership in data and AI, with emphasis on risk-taking, planning, and emotional intelligence

In this episode, Tomás Trenor shares lessons from his career leading data analytics and business intelligence projects. As head of these functions at a major healthcare company, Trenor discusses the importance of understanding business needs and communicating value, not just technology. He emphasizes relationship-building and trust with stakeholders to successfully implement projects. Trenor also stresses the need for data governance to improve decisions. Leaders must sell strategic value, take risks, and foster critical thinking. Through examples at previous roles, Trenor illustrates challenges in connecting technical and business teams and provides advice for navigating data-driven transformation.Connect with us:• Website: https://thedatastorytellers.com/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-data-storytellers• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2N0vZtHZHgod4Tll2LX2xa• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9e56lhYUfORiOHMiLlPmA• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-data-storytellers-podcast/id1493766476Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to Thomas Traynor's background07:17 - Lessons learned from early career experiences in traffic data10:27 - The importance of understanding business needs and selling value15:19 - Building trust in data projects and stakeholders20:02 - Challenges in becoming data-driven and the role of data governance25:54 - Advice for data analytics leaders and lessons from previous roles29:55 - The importance of trust in data science projects32:18 - Building trust with stakeholders in data analytics projects37:37 - Data-centric approach to AI, challenges in becoming data-driven41:40 - Implementing data governance to improve data quality and decision-making46:35 - Data governance, selling value, and health projects49:15 - Data-driven decision-making initiative for call centers59:12 - Using data analytics for personalized health plans1:07:19 - Leadership in data and AI, with emphasis on risk-taking, planning, and emotional intelligence

On this episode of the Data Storytellers podcast, Pete Williams shares insights from over 25 years in the data industry, discussing his career path to data leadership and lessons learned along the way. Williams reflects on strategies for understanding organizational needs, building relationships, and implementing data strategies that deliver tangible business value. He also offers perspectives on qualities that make an effective data leader, including communication skills, change management experience, and balancing expertise with humility.

Connect with us:

•Website: https://thedatastorytellers.com/

•LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-data-storytellers

•Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2N0vZtHZHgod4Tll2LX2xa

•YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9e56lhYUfORiOHMiLlPmA

• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-data-storytellers-podcast/id1493766476

00:00 - Introductions

09:09 - Pete Williams' career

17:21 - Current work at Random House

21:15 - Understanding organizational needs

26:34 - Sales strategies for software vendors

31:38 - Separating product and technical roles

37:53 - Prioritizing key stakeholders

46:21 - Building trust and credibility

52:25 - Creating a data-driven organization

59:32 - Organizational roles and data literacy

1:07:18 - Data-driven decision making

1:14:31 - Qualities of effective data leaders

1:21:39 - Leadership qualities in data analysis

1:27:38 - Advice for future data leaders

On this episode of the Data Storytellers podcast, Pete Williams shares insights from over 25 years in the data industry, discussing his career path to data leadership and lessons learned along the way. Williams reflects on strategies for understanding organizational needs, building relationships, and implementing data strategies that deliver tangible business value. He also offers perspectives on qualities that make an effective data leader, including communication skills, change management experience, and balancing expertise with humility.Connect with us:•Website: https://thedatastorytellers.com/•LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-data-storytellers•Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2N0vZtHZHgod4Tll2LX2xa•YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9e56lhYUfORiOHMiLlPmA• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-data-storytellers-podcast/id1493766476Chapters:00:00 - Introductions09:09 - Pete Williams' career 17:21 - Current work at Random House21:15 - Understanding organizational needs26:34 - Sales strategies for software vendors31:38 - Separating product and technical roles 37:53 - Prioritizing key stakeholders46:21 - Building trust and credibility52:25 - Creating a data-driven organization59:32 - Organizational roles and data literacy1:07:18 - Data-driven decision making1:14:31 - Qualities of effective data leaders1:21:39 - Leadership qualities in data analysis1:27:38 - Advice for future data leaders

On this episode of The Data Journey, we speak with Alan Cruickshank, Head of Data at tails.com, about his evolution from a manufacturing engineering background to a leadership role in data. Alan shares lessons from tails.com's growth using data-driven decision making, challenges of analyzing diverse customer data, and the importance of organizational culture and leadership buy-in for successful data transformation. Through insightful stories from his career, Alan provides practical advice on investing strategically in tools, driving change through experimentation and learning from failures, and integrating systems for personalized customer experiences.

Connect with us:

• Website: https://thedatastorytellers.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-data-storytellers

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2N0vZtHZHgod4Tll2LX2xa

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9e56lhYUfORiOHMiLlPmA

• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-data-storytellers-podcast/id1493766476

00:08 - Introduction to Alan and tails.com

00:52 - Career background and entry into data roles

10:15 - Different approaches to using data in business

12:22 - Importance of data collection in manufacturing

34:57 - Building a data-driven culture within organizations

39:25 - The impact of leadership on data analytics success

47:55 - Leadership styles and decision-making in data roles

51:12 - Challenges and opportunities in expanding to new markets

59:37 - The importance of being adaptable in data analytics careers

On this episode of The Data Storytellers podcast, we explore leadership perspectives on driving data-driven transformation with Rafael Laffarga, focusing on building trust, empathy and effective communication with stakeholders. Through discussion on topics like data governance, literacy, storytelling and outcomes, we examine the human elements critical to successful analytics leadership and organizational change.

Connect with us:

• Website: https://thedatastorytellers.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-data-storytellers

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2N0vZtHZHgod4Tll2LX2xa

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9e56lhYUfORiOHMiLlPmA

• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-data-storytellers-podcast/id1493766476

00:00 Introduction

07:07 Rafael Laffarga shares his professional journey in analytics

15:15 Challenges of data governance and the need for data literacy

25:08 Implementing effective data governance programs

35:16 The importance of leadership in data-driven transformation

45:12 Building trust as a data leader

56:41 Closing thoughts on listening, empathy and storytelling