Driven by Data: The Podcast

Tony Zona, Chief Data Officer at Grant Thornton UK, shares insights from his impressive 25-year career. He emphasizes the importance of translating data language into business value, discussing how non-traditional backgrounds enhance perspectives. Zona highlights the need for data literacy as a cultural shift rather than mere training. He stresses the role of communication in bridging gaps between data teams and business leaders. With a focus on collaboration, he advocates for a unified language of data that drives decision-making and addresses organizational needs.

In Episode 44, of Season 4, of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom is re-joined by Daniel Hulme, Chief AI Officer at WPP and one of the world's leading AI authorities, where they discuss how the AI landscape has shifted since his first appearance on the show over 3 years ago, which includes; Selling Satalia to WPP Why it’s become a successful acquisition Launching a research organisation to understand ‘machine consciousness’Why machine consciousness will be a very important question we’ll face as a species over the coming years  Why we should be looking at AI through applications not technologies How GenAI has given artificial intelligence a UI Why GenAI isn’t the panacea of AIThe 3 things that you need to unlock value with GenAI Why you need differentiated talent to succeed with AI How optimisation algorithms will still give you the biggest bang for your buckWhy the most popular definition of AI is the weakest Why using human beings as the pinnacle of intelligence is not a good idea The 6 categories of applications of AI that resolve any business friction Why we should be tracking neuromorphic computing How GenAI has disrupted the media, advertising and marketing sectorsWhy LLMs are like intoxicated graduates Figuring out which problems to tackle that will truly disrupt your business Why the capability of the technology will outrun the speed of adoption The questions to ask to spot the genuine ‘AI Experts’ A controversial view on AI ethics surrounding intent The 3 type of AI risks The 3 questions you need to ask yourself to deploy AI safely Why we may only be 10-20 years away from a superintelligence Why a superintelligence could be the biggest existential threat to humans if we don’t focus on safety Why we have a duty of care to build conscious AIThanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

Stijn (Stan) Christiaens, Co-founder and Chief Data Citizen at Collibra, dives into the transformative world of data monetization. He explains the pivotal role of the Chief Data Citizen in fostering a data-driven culture. The discussion reveals why treating data as an asset is crucial yet often neglected by companies. Stan touches on the complexities of monetizing data, emphasizing that selling data is the least common method. He also explores the significance of structured frameworks in bridging the gap between data management and financial success.

Davin Crowley-Sweet, Chief Data Officer at National Highways, returns to discuss the transformative journey of valuing data as an asset. He shares insights on the disconnect between data professionals and business language, and the challenges of fostering a data-driven culture. Davin highlights the pitfalls of organizational strategies and the importance of clarity in communication. He delves into the complexities of data valuation, stressing that understanding value is more than just monetization—it's about reshaping business models for success.

In Episode 41, of Season 4, of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom is joined by Dominic Holden, Head of Data Governance at Jet2.com, where they talk about the key considerations when building out a data governance function from the ground up, which includes;  Constructing the data governance operation Clearly defining who does what, whenGetting sponsorship and buy-in for data governance Reframing what data governance isDemocratizing data across an organisation Defining and upskilling a data ownership structure Prioritising where to start and what the focus areas should be Balancing the academic and theoretical concepts with reality Considering the practicalities when designing your data governance framework Ensuring that data governance is viewed as a value-creation endeavour and not fixing data The skills and experience needed to build a well-balanced data governance teamThanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In Episode 40, of Season 4, of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom is joined by Greg Freeman, CEO of Data Literacy Academy, Hannah Davies, Head of Data Culture and Excellence at Admiral Group Plc and Kate Jones, Head of Data Product and Strategy at Coventry Building Society as part of a live panel event, where they discuss how to design and deliver an enterprise data literacy programme, from planning to impact, which includes; Understanding the business case for data literacy programmes Who should drive it and whyThe key steps in planning effective enterprise data literacyApproaches to obtaining buy-in and sponsorship How to build a data academy Communicating the value to the wider business Branding people with persona names Ways to measure success Why success metrics will change with maturity Proving the ROI on data literacy initiativesIf there is resistance to the word 'literacy'If structured data literacy programmes can work in smaller organisationsThe scale of dedicated resources required to execute Typical objections to running data literacy programmesSelling the benefits of why a data literacy programme is required  The common challenges faced when implementing a data literacy programmeOvercoming those challenges Assessing the current level of data literacy before startingTailoring data literacy activities for  different stakeholders and departmentsThanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In this engaging conversation, Stefania Gvillo, Chief Analytics & Insight Officer at Domino's, shares her expertise on data storytelling. She emphasizes the necessity of understanding your audience and prioritizing what drives decisions over mere insights. The nuances of storytelling in B2B versus B2C are discussed, alongside practical tips for enhancing storytelling skills. Gvillo highlights the significance of language in shaping perceptions and aligns team roles to foster a culture of effective communication. Hear how storytelling can reshape outcomes and drive business impact!

In Episode 38, of Season 4, of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom is joined by Rui Machado, Vice President of Data Engineering and Architecture at H&M Group, where they discuss data modelling, accessibility and translating highly technical solutions into business value, which includes;Working for household names such as Nike and Meta Leading a team of 200 Data Engineers at H&MBecoming the author of; Analytics Engineering with SQL and Dbt: Building Meaningful Data Models at ScaleH&M’s focus on sustainability and society Why data modelling lost relevance and why it’s had a resurgence The fundamental changes in how organisations build and use data modelsWhy decentralising ownership of data has disrupted the industry Why SQL is still the core tool for data teams and why it has survived despite the explosion of the modern data stack Why there has been a refocusing on data accessibility      What sets the great engineers apart from the good engineersWhy data engineering teams need to be more aligned to their business stakeholders  Why engineers need to understand the economics of building specific applications  How organisations can ensure that their technical teams are delivering things that will help the business to create/realise value Why some technical people can elevate themselves into leadership and others struggle How to connect very technical concepts to business outcomes and strategiesUsing OKRs to understand business priorities and align your engineering goalsThe shift from data teams being a service team to being a partner Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

Claire Thompson, Group Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Legal & General, discusses influencing boards and transforming organizations. Topics include traits for board effectiveness, storytelling for value creation, building AI accelerators, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in data teams.

In Episode 36, of Season 4, of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom is joined by Chris Daniels, Chief Data Officer (Corporate Bank) at Deutsche Bank, where they discuss the delineation between business and technology, which includes;Why organisations haven’t put data as a first-order citizen historically Avoiding unnecessary transformation of our data Finding good, opportunistic data science use cases within sales and product teams Why the things we built 18 months ago we’d never dream of building today Having the right conditions for success as a CDO Why you’ll never have an enduring model that is right for all situations at all times The move from centralised to distributed structures to align with product lines Why extreme centralisation doesn’t work Making data everyone’s problem Why where data is homed in an organisation can matterWhy to be successful it has to be a topic of importance at the board/exco levelWhere it sits is irrelevant if it isn’t a topic of importance at that level The importance of creating a common purpose Why reporting lines should matter to D&A professionals if they want to growWhy you need to be both business and technology literate to succeed as a D&A teamHow the lines are blurring between business and tech The importance of cross-functional teamsWhy automation is increasing the need for better technology expertise and focus The importance of real-time observability Upskilling as someone from a non-technology background Why industry events are a necessity for learning Why process reengineering will be a key to success in a rapidly evolving world The importance of AI literacy at the exec level so they can reshape their thinking Not believing in data strategies The importance of explainability Why it’s necessary to think beyond the first-wave of GenAI possibilitiesThanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.