

The Stacked Data Podcast
Cognify
The Stacked Data Podcast is a community for data professionals working with the modern data stack, machine learning, and AI.In each episode, we speak with data leaders who are building and scaling analytics, data platforms, and AI capabilities inside forward-thinking organisations. We explore how modern data teams operate, the technologies they use, and the lessons learned from building impactful data and AI products.The podcast is designed for Data Leaders, Data Engineers, Analytics Engineers, Analysts, and professionals working in Data Science, Machine Learning, or AI who want to stay close to the evolving world of modern data.The Stacked Data Podcast is organised by Cognify, the recruitment partner for modern data and AI teams.cognifysearch.comOmni.co
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 1, 2024 โข 36min
020 - Navigating Data Transformation in Traditional Organisations: Insights from Matt Webb, CIO
In this insightful discussion, Matt Webb, Head of Enterprise Data Management for UK Power Networks, shares his expertise in leading data transformation initiatives. He highlights the crucial role cloud migration and Databricks play in supporting the UK's decarbonization goals. Matt addresses the challenges traditional organizations face in adopting modern data architectures, emphasizing the need for a data-driven culture. He also explores the integration of engineering skills in data processes and the strategies for overcoming legacy system hurdles.

Apr 17, 2024 โข 56min
019 - Zoopla: Monetising Data Products โ Is Data Really the New Oil?
In our latest episode of The Stacked Data podcast, Iโm joined by Veronica Saha, Head of Analytics at Zoopla (part of Houseful), as she shares real-world examples and strategies on data monetization.In 2024, data teams need to evolve beyond being mere support functions; they must become strategic drivers. Many data teams have struggled to show/prove their true value. The monetisation of data comes in many different forms, however, it's clear that raw data is not valuable on its own.Data only hold value as insight driving decisions. It needs to be packed into a PRODUCT!We discuss the need to treat data as a product in order to effectively implement a monetisation strategy.๐๏ธ Episode Highlights: Defining Data Monetization: What exactly do we mean by 'data monetisation'? When is the right time to think about it? How can data create business value? Identifying Opportunities: How do you identify areas for data monetization? What's the role of technical architecture in this process? Building a Revenue-Focused Team: Challenges and considerations in building a team focused on generating revenue through data products. Feedback Loops and Continuous Improvement: Establishing effective feedback loops and optimizing data products for better monetization outcomes. Securing Leadership Buy-In: Challenges in securing sign-off and budget from leadership. Common Challenges and Lessons Learned: Insightful lessons from Zoopla's journey in overcoming challenges in data monetization.

Apr 2, 2024 โข 57min
018 - Data as a Product: Changing Perception to Unlock Value
In the digital era, where data is the new gold, understanding how to unlock its full potential is crucial.For data to be truly valuable it needs to be actionable, across the industry we are seeing a change in mindset to see โData as a ProductโThat's precisely what we dive into in our latest podcast episode featuring the brilliant @Mohit, Director of Data Platforms at @Collison. With a vast experience in leading transformative data projects, Mohit shares his invaluable insights on why and how businesses need to shift their mindset to view "data as a product."๐ In This Episode, You'll Discover: The Evolution of Data Management: How companies are revolutionizing their approach to data through cloud infrastructure and modern tools. Mohit's Journey: An overview of Mohit's impressive career and his pivotal role at Collinson, driving significant data transformation. The Core of Innovation: Understanding Mohit's mission for data at Collinson and how it aligns with the broader vision of treating data as a cornerstone for value creation. Decoding 'Data as a Product': A deep dive into what this concept means and why it's becoming increasingly important in today's data-centric world. The Catalyst for Change: Insights into the mindset shift towards seeing data as a product and the intrinsic value this perception brings. Strategies for Implementation: Practical examples and strategies from Mohit's playbook on fostering this mindset change within organizations. Fostering Collaboration: Tactics for encouraging cross-functional collaboration to maximize data's value across the business spectrum. Overcoming Challenges: An honest look at the hurdles in treating data as a product and strategies to navigate these challenges effectively. Measuring Success: How to quantify this transformative change and the key performance indicators (KPIs) that signal progress and success.This episode is a must-listen for anyone keen on unlocking the true value of data in their organization and pioneering a culture that treats data not just as a resource, but as a product with its own lifecycle, value proposition, and customer base.

Mar 20, 2024 โข 48min
016 Omni - The Next Gen of BI
Self-serve BI was one of the trailblazers for the modern data stack. The ability to allow business stakeholders to not only see reports but also start exploring their own data was truly a seismic shift in data.What is next for BI?Join me in the latest episode of the Stacked Data podcast as I sit down with Collin Zima, the Co-founder and CEO of Omni, for an insightful discussion on the future of Business Intelligence.๐ About Colin:Collin Zima's journey from an early Google employee to leading data teams at Hoteltonight before eventually becoming the Chief Analytics Officer and VP of Product at Looker gives him a unique perspective on the evolution of BI. Now, as the driving force behind Omni, he's shaping the next generation of BI solutions.๐ Dive into Next GenBI with Us:In this episode, we explore:The primary purpose and value of BIChallenges facing the BI sector and strategies to overcome themOmni's innovative approach and key focus pointsThe importance of a customer-centric approach in building BI solutionsFuture trends and advancements shaping the BI landscapeTune in as Collin shares his experiences, insights, and advice for organisations navigating the complex world of BI in today's competitive landscape.Colin's message was clear to me, he and Omni doesn't seek to rewrite the BI script but to refine it!

Mar 6, 2024 โข 34min
015 - Chaos to Clarity: Navigating Data Modelling Challenges
๐๏ธ In this week's episode of @the stacked data podcast, we dive deep into the world of data modelling and uncover strategies for success with our special guest Nieves Gorriti the Head of Data and Insights The Dot CollectiveHere's a sneak peek into the insightful discussion:๐ Introduction to Data Modelling:What exactly is data modelling, and why is it crucial for effective data management? Nives provides expert insights into this fundamental aspect of the data lifecycle.๐ Common Pitfalls and Challenges:Discover the common pitfalls organisations face in the data modelling process and learn how to avoid them to ensure smooth data operations.๐ Importance of Data Modelling:Uncover the pivotal role of data modelling in driving successful data-driven initiatives within organisations, along with real-life examples demonstrating its impact.๐ง Guiding Through the Process:Nives shares invaluable advice and practical tips for enhancing your data modelling skills and provides a step-by-step guide to approaching data modelling successfully.๐ Balancing Flexibility and Standardization:Learn how to strike the right balance between flexibility and standardisation in data modelling to meet business demands while maintaining data integrity.๐ค Adapting to Evolving Data Environments:Explore strategies for adapting data modelling strategies to accommodate the ever-evolving data landscape, including new technologies and data sources.Don't miss out on this conversation! Tune in now to Stacked Data Podcast to gain valuable insights into mastering data modelling for organisational success. ๐ง

Feb 21, 2024 โข 35min
014 - The Power of Story Telling
๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ญ๐?The ability to influence is pivotal for success in data. After all, the role of a data function is to inform business decision-making. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through Storytelling.Excited to share the latest episode of The Stacked Data Podcast, where I had the privilege of chatting with Phil Thirlwell, the Director of Analytics and Data Strategy at FIS. Today, we unravel the transformative power of storytelling in driving business impact and value creation. As a leader, the ability to manage and influence C-Suite is pivotal for success. Join us for some insightful takeaways:๐ฃ๏ธ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ'๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ & ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง:As the Head of Analytics at FIS, Phil plays a pivotal role in influencing global business strategy. We dive into the dynamics of working closely with executive teams and explore how it differs from collaborating with other stakeholders.๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ:The importance of setting the right metrics and measures cannot be overstated. Phil shares his insights on the critical role metrics play in ensuring impactful data-driven decisions.๐ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ:One common challenge faced by data leaders is aligning with executive requirements. Phil shares strategies on ensuring executives get what they need, not just what they want.๐ข ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ซ๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ๐ญ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ :Discover how Phil leverages storytelling to influence stakeholders and drive business decisions. We delve into the nuances of storytelling with data products.๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐:Phil reflects on the qualities that distinguish a good analyst from a great one and what it takes to rise to leadership within the realm of data.๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ญ๐-๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ง:With organizations striving to become "data-driven," Phil shares insights on changing the mindset of more traditional businesses stuck in their ways.๐๏ธ Tune in for More ๐๏ธBe sure to listen to the full episode for in-depth insights from Phil. Subscribe for more thought-provoking discussions on The Stacked Data Podcast!

Feb 7, 2024 โข 40min
013 - Demythifying ML Strategies
๐ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ซ, ๐๐/๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ง ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐จ๐ง ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ-๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ, ๐๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ฆ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง ๐ ๐จ๐จ๐?๐ง In this episode of The Stacked Data Podcast, we dive deep into understanding the strategies for implementing ML/DS effectively and avoiding common pitfalls that lead to a lack of ROI and missed opportunities.๐ฅ Join me as I chat with Irina Ioana Brudaru, the Head of Data from Element Insurance AG. Irina has had an incredible career, including a stint at Google; her passion for this subject is infectious. Tune in to uncover insights into:โก๏ธ What is ML & AI, and how are they linked/differentiated?โก๏ธ How can a business determine the right time to incorporate machine learning and data science into its operations?โก๏ธ Signs indicating a company is ready to bring in ML expertise.โก๏ธ Strategies for building a team and infrastructure ready to utilise ML/DS projects.โก๏ธ Common pitfalls when launching DS/ML capabilities and their consequences.โก๏ธ We touch on some of the latest tools that are breaking down the barriers to advanced ML like Inferโก๏ธ Balancing immediate gains with a long-term vision in developing ML products.๐๏ธ Tune in and Iโd love you to give us a FOLLOW to hear all the great conversation we have coming up!

Jan 24, 2024 โข 46min
0012 - Challenges for Heads of Data in Scale-ups!
๐ New episode on The Stacked Podcast featuring an incredible guest, Joao, the Head of Data at Plum. We dive deep into the Challenges of Building a Data Team in a Start-up. ๐๏ธโจ๐ Introduction: In this episode, we take a journey with Joao, exploring key milestones in his career that led him to leadership in the dynamic world of data.๐ Building from the Ground Up: When stepping into a scale-up as the Head of Data. Where do you begin? Joao shares his insights into the crucial first steps and priorities on the to-do list.๐ป Tech Talk: Tech is the backbone of any data team. Joao discusses the overwhelming choices data leaders face when building their tech stack and how technology influences the hiring process.๐ค Hiring Hacks:Hiring isn't just about filling roles; it's about building a successful team. Joao sheds light on how to decide which roles to hire, the crucial skill sets for an early data team, and how roles evolve as the function matures.๐ Cultivating a Data Culture: Tech and team are essential, but how is it all perceived by the business? Joao shares his insights on growing a data culture in a start-up, what defines a good data culture, and common pitfalls to avoid.๐ Measuring Impact:How do you know if your team is making a real impact? Joao discusses the metrics of success, showcasing value to secure more resources and bigger opportunities.๐ก Facing Challenges:Joao opens up about the common challenge of being under-resourced as a Data Leader in a rapidly growing organisation and how to tackle it head-on.๐ Beyond the Horizon:Explore with Joao the additional challenges Data Leaders in start-ups often face, gaining valuable insights into navigating the dynamic landscape.Here is the link Joao spoke about - https://towardsdatascience.com/how-i-won-singapores-gpt-4-prompt-engineering-competition-34c195a93d41Tune in now ๐งAnd give us a follow and a rating, your feedback means the world to me!โจ Don't miss out โ it's a knowledge-packed episode you won't want to skip! ๐๐#DataLeadership #Startups #PodcastLaunch #TechTalks

Jan 10, 2024 โข 49min
011 - Data, Culture and Impact - How McKinley drives data value at The Financial Times
๐๐ก๐ ๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ-๐ฐ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ!๐ This week on the Stacked Data Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with McKinley Muir Hyden, the Director of Data Value & Strategy at the Financial Times. We dive into the critical topics of data adoption and culture change in today's data-driven world.๐ McKinley brings a wealth of experience, and we kick off the discussion by exploring her journey into the realm of data and her current unique role at the FT. McKinleyโs role revolves around bridging the chasm between data and the business. It's about ensuring alignment and, most importantly, measuring the impact of the data team's efforts as well as building the FTโs Data Academy.๐ฬฒ๐ฬฒโฬฒ๐ฬฒ๐ฬฒ๐ฬฒ๐ฬฒ๐ฬฒ:ฬฒ๐ How McKinley navigates the challenge of bridging the gap between data and business.๐ค Reasons for lack of data adoption and the strategies employed to combat them.๐ McKinley's role is unique, and we delve into the origins of this specialized position and the objectives she aims to achieve. ๐ What exactly is a data culture and why is it crucial for organizations?๐ How McKinley measures and evaluates data culture.๐ The challenges encountered in creating a robust data culture.If you are looking to build and foster a data culture and inspire trust to ensure analytics impact this is not one to miss. McKinley shares her strategies and approaches as well as the common pit falls and blockers such as; Awareness, Discoverability, and Understanding.Tune in and give us a FOLLOW, like or share! ๐ Stay tuned for more inspiring conversations, and don't forget to subscribe! hashtaghashtag#DataCulture hashtag#DataAdoption hashtag#Podcast hashtag#DataInnovation hashtag#StackedDataPodcast

Dec 13, 2023 โข 43min
010 - Maximising the ROI from your Data team
In our latest episode of The Stacked Data podcast, we're thrilled to have Thomas, CEO and co-founder of Tasman Analytics, sharing insights on "Maximizing ROI in Data & Analytics."๐ Episode Highlights: Uncover the common reasons why data teams are often perceived as cost centers. Learn strategies to transform your data team into a value generator. Dive into the keys to driving ROI for your analytics team. Discover where teams typically go wrong in maximizing the value of their data. Gain expert advice on crafting a clear strategy for a high ROI.๐๏ธ Introduction: Get to know Thomas and Tasman, exploring their background and journey in the dynamic world of data.๐ผ Data Team Transformation: Explore the challenges of data teams being seen as cost centers and learn how to assess if your team is a cost centre or value adder.๐ Driving ROI:Thomas shares valuable insights on evaluating, strategizing, and ensuring your team drives a positive ROI.๐ Workload Management:Learn effective ways to manage the immense workload on data teams and optimize team efficiency.๐ Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Discover the biggest mistakes data teams make and get expert advice on resolving them.


