The Tech Trek

In this podcast episode, Deepak Jose, a Data Analytics and AI Expert with experience in companies like Coca-Cola, ABB, Asurion, and Mars, discusses the importance of adopting a value-first mindset over a technology-first approach in leveraging data and analytics for decision-making. He emphasizes the need to invert the traditional pyramid approach by identifying key business problems and their value, thereby prioritizing business outcomes. Deepak shares insights on building adaptable and flexible data architectures that can support rapid experimentation and leverage new technologies like Generative AI (Gen AI), advocating for a future-proof and agile mindset in data analytics. He also underlines the significance of responsible AI usage, the need for a desirability, viability, and feasibility framework for prioritizing AI initiatives, and strategies for enhancing adoption and upscaling to maximize the benefits of AI tools. The conversation includes the concept of AI champions within organizations and concludes with Deepak sharing an inspirational quote from Mother Teresa, encouraging listeners to pursue their passions with great love.

Highlights

00:15 The Power of Data Analytics in Decision-Making

01:25 Inverting the Data Pyramid: A Value-First Approach

04:55 The Importance of Flexibility and Adaptability in Data Architecture

07:07 Navigating the Future with Generative AI

09:30 Building Solutions with a Business Problem-First Mindset

21:32 The Role of AI Champions in Business Transformation

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand and guest Santona Tuli, the Head of Data at Upsolver, discuss the complexities of modern data projects and the evolving strategies for data design focused on data lake houses. They explore Upsolver's role in simplifying data ingestion and transformation, the challenges of adapting to advanced data projects without the right infrastructure, and the shift towards more accessible and abstracted data tools. Additionally, they touch upon the importance of aligning tool adoption with business needs, the potential pitfalls of rushing into trendy technologies without clear objectives, and the future of data deployment solutions.

Highlights:

02:00 The Importance of Data Design Strategies

02:26 Challenges in Implementing Complex Data Projects

03:09 The Role of Data Infrastructure and Architecture

05:57 The Evolution of Data Projects and Infrastructure

06:33 The Inevitability of Adding More Data Projects

07:48 The Emergence of the Lakehouse Concept

08:38 The Journey to Cloud and Advanced Solutions

14:53 The Challenge of Modernizing Data Stack

20:29 The Role of Tools in Modern Data Stack

25:54 Risks of Pushing for Advanced Data Solutions
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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

This podcast episode features Vidya Eashwer, CTO at Forge, discussing the evolution and significance of treating data as core engineering within the tech industry. Highlighting the shift in perception towards data from a backend supportive role to a critical product element, Vidya shares insights from her career experiences, including her time at the New York Stock Exchange, to illustrate how data has become a foundational aspect of software engineering and product development. The conversation also covers the alignment of data engineering with software engineering best practices, the impact of AI on data strategy, and the importance of reliable, timely data for customer engagement and internal decision-making. Furthermore, Vidya discusses how the structure and positioning of data teams within an organization can enhance operational efficiency, product innovation, and customer satisfaction.

Highlights

00:10 Understanding Data as Core Engineering

00:48 Forge: A Global Private Securities Marketplace

01:11 The Evolution of Data in Engineering

03:55 Data: From Backend to Frontline in Customer Engagement

06:50 Aligning Data Engineering with Software Best Practices

08:07 The Role of Data in Product Management and Engineering

11:31 Data Integrity and Customer Engagement

15:39 Streamlining Operations with Data Engineering

18:15 Leveraging AI for Operational Efficiency and Innovation

Vidya Eashwer is the CTO of Forge. She has18+ years of experience creating and executing innovative fintech technology strategies. She's the former Head of Technology, Edge Systems, at Intercontinental Exchange and was the Managing Director of IT at the New York Stock Exchange, managing international teams.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidya-eashwer/

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this episode, Amir sits down with Michel Tricot, CEO and Co-founder of Airbyte, to unpack what startup culture really means—and why it’s not for everyone. Michel shares how Airbyte’s company values were created, how they’ve evolved, and why the principle of “Be the CEO of your project” is at the heart of their team’s DNA.

From hiring strategies to cultural rituals, Michel reveals how he filters for candidates who thrive in ambiguity, what failure looks like when done right, and how a startup's values must continuously adapt as the company scales. Whether you're building a startup or thinking of joining one, this episode offers a playbook for navigating growth, ownership, and cultural alignment.

This episode features Loic Houssier, Senior VP of Engineering at Productboard, discussing the journey and challenges of transitioning from mid-level management to top-tier executive roles within an organization. It covers essential aspects such as the roles and responsibilities at different management levels, from manager to VP, and the crucial skills needed for advancement, including delegation, decision-making, and influencing across teams. Additionally, the talk delves into Productboard's mission and functionality, emphasizing its utility for product managers in streamlining customer feedback, prioritization, and integration with execution tools. The conversation also highlights personal growth strategies for managers aspiring to executive positions, the importance of external networking and mentorship, and recognizing the often overlooked emotional and strategic complexities of climbing the corporate ladder.

Highlights:

03:52 The Journey Up the Management Ladder: Challenges and Skills

05:41 Understanding the Roles: From Manager to Senior Manager

08:22 The Leap to Director: Managing Managers and Budgets

10:28 Ascending to VP: A Shift in Perspective and Responsibilities

14:36 Navigating the Transition: From IC to Manager and Beyond

20:10 The Importance of Delegation and Decision-Making in Leadership

28:49 Expanding Your Network: The Key to Navigating Management Isolation

As the Senior Vice President of Engineering at Productboard, Loic Houssier leads a global team of engineers building the leading product management platform for remote teams. He has over 18 years of experience in engineering leadership and executive management across various industries and regions.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/houssier/

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com

Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this podcast episode, Mo Villagran, Associate Director of Insights, Analytics, and Data at Cambrex and author of 'Data Insights Delivered', shares her insights on managing stakeholder expectations and delivering expected value in data analytics. She explains Cambrex's role as a global CDMO in the pharmaceutical industry and highlights the importance of customer service in technical fields. Mo asserts that the core of managing stakeholder expectations and delivering value lies in simple, effective communication and starting with manageable, scalable solutions. She emphasizes showing progress in real-time to stakeholders, the significance of qualitative feedback over quantitative KPIs, and the importance of prioritizing projects that directly impact the company's financial performance. The conversation also touches on the challenges of integrating new technologies and focusing on business outcomes over technological complexities.

Highlights:

02:12 The Essence of Stakeholder Expectation Management

02:22 The Importance of Customer Service in Data Analytics

03:32 Balancing Technology and Business Outcomes

05:00 Defining and Delivering Value to Stakeholders

08:39 The Art of Negotiation and Setting Expectations

10:53 Choosing Simplicity Over Complexity in Solutions

17:38 Demonstrating Progress and Value in Real-Time

21:47 Measuring Success Beyond Quantitative Metrics

Mo Villagran is a data concierge, an experienced business analytics veteran, is well-versed in data analytics and healthcare across sectors, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, fraud detection, insurance pricing, etc.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mo-villagran/

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com

Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

This podcast episode features Gregg Altschul, the Vice President of Technology at FanDuel. The discussion focuses on aligning personal, team, and company goals to reduce conflicts, enhance goal setting, and improve transparency across the board. Altschul shares insights on FanDuel's business operations, including its role as a leading online sportsbook and its iGaming division. He explains the top-down process of setting goals at FanDuel, highlighting the importance of ensuring that individual and team objectives support overarching company goals. Altschul discusses how he manages goal alignment within his organization, emphasizing the significance of transparency, understanding employees' personal growth goals, and the role of succession planning. He also touches on fostering a culture that supports employees' long-term career aspirations, even if those plans include leaving the company. The conversation delves into the importance of having a 'North Star'—a long-term goal or vision—to guide one's career development and the necessity of open communication between managers and their teams to achieve effective goal alignment.

Highlights

01:12 The Importance of Goal Alignment

02:18 The Process of Setting Goals

03:38 Translating Goals to Different Levels

04:55 Maintaining Transparency in Goal Setting

06:50 Balancing Personal and Company Goals

09:11 Creating a Safe Space for Open Discussions

09:27 The Role of Trust in Goal Setting

11:14 The Shift in Employee Retention Perspective

17:37 The Importance of Long-Term Growth Goals

20:23 The Role of North Star Goals in Career Development

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com

Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)

In this podcast episode, Otkrist Gupta, VP of Research and Development at LendBuzz, talks about the process he utilizes to evaluate machine learning (ML) models and handle the ever-changing landscape of ML with his team. He also highlights the core role of ML in the creation of LendBuzz’s proprietary financial scoring model to assist individuals often underserved in the lending market and explains how continued innovation via in-house development of models has maintained the company's competitive advantage. Gupta provides insights into various projects his R&D team has worked on, from financial to computer vision models, and discusses the balance of research, development, and product delivery. He underscores the importance of having well-defined metrics, continuous model improvement, and keeping current with technology trends. Although not directly involved in measuring particular models' profit and loss impacts, Gupta notes that all team members indirectly contribute to the company’s overall performance.

Highlights:

01:50 Understanding the Lendbuzz Business Model

03:37 Exploring the Role of Research and Development in Fintech

07:35 The Intersection of Machine Learning and Product Development

13:35 The Process of Building and Evaluating ML Models

19:49 The Impact of Machine Learning on Competitive Advantage

23:20 The Relationship Between Machine Learning and Profit & Loss

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Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.

Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com

Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?

Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)