The Aspiring Data Executive Needs to...?  #36

The Aspiring Data Executive Needs to...? #36

In an era where digital transformation is a must for competitive businesses, you need to step up your game. A data executive is a valued asset for your company as long as you find the right fit.

How can you tell if you have found the proper addition to your data leadership team, though? Due to the evolving nature of this work, you cannot expect a ton of experience in similar positions. Ideally, someone who has depth of knowledge in AI technology and is focused on the growth of the business would be the best fit for your company.

Deep Knowledge of AI

Artificial Intelligence has penetrated every single aspect of business, and this is not going to stop in the near future. On the contrary, analytics will only grow stronger and more complex.   

A data executive that respects the changes and adapts to the current situation is a valuable addition to your team. However, deep knowledge of AI is a prerequisite for mature decision making.

Therefore, you ought to seek a data scientist who knows all about AI and its impact on the corporate world. This will determine your company’s attitude towards progress.

Data Driven Results

There is an unending inflow of data which your team of professionals needs to sort out and make use of in an optimal manner. Who will be in charge of this promising endeavor?   

Your data executive needs to be a firm believer of this. Otherwise, your team will not be able to optimize business performance through the use of digital sources.

Results can occur through other channels of information. Yet, they will not be as swift and objective, which makes you wonder why you would ever resort to different methods of analysis. 

Forming a Strategy

An aspiring data executive must be well aware of the endless possibilities offered through the formation of AI strategies that allow impressive growth over time.

These strategies need to be perfectly customized to meet your individualized needs and demands, as well as offer a new, innovative look at the corporate world. Such strategies never cease to deliver.

Appreciating the Company Culture

Another great quality in data analysis is that it normally takes place in a team environment. Of course, personal talent is always appreciated. This doesn’t mean, though, that an individual should focus on climbing up the ladder rather than being part of a team. 

You need to instill the company culture to your data scientists, so as to maximize the benefits you get through their collaboration. Remember, this is not a one man show, no matter how talented that man might be.

Let’s be honest, you should never sacrifice the dynamics of the team for a single person.

Valued Part of the Team

That being said, every team member should be valued. You need to show that you support your professionals by picking the right candidates and integrating them smoothly in the team.   

You are bound to encounter significant challenges along the way and you must be sure you can count on your experts. Ensure that those experts are willing to cooperate with your team and your business at large. 

Data executives ought to work together with their departments, shaping the future of the company and ensuring that everything runs exactly as planned.  

Tangible Evidence

Nobody claims that you should trust the words of a candidate without asking for proof. In this case, you should check out case studies and former employers. These are great sources of information, revealing whether an executive should become part of your team.

Of course, there are amazing professionals without any tangible experience in the field. Now, this can be a dilemma for you. Should you go ahead and invest in a potentially wonderful team asset?  

If you are looking for a one size fits all answer, you are not going to get it here. It is totally up to you to bet on a growing talent, or an established expert.

Research on the Subject

Even without experience and professional background, you can still identify the signs of a qualified professional. A data analyst who has done thorough research on the subject shows you everything you want to see. 

Are you determined to excel through the help of a seasoned professional? Why don’t you take a look at their publications, studies, and fields of research?    

Business Growth

Your business growth should be the centerpiece of your attention. In the end of the day, you need to make the best decisions to ensure that growth. I know it is not easy. 

Think of it as a puzzle with thousands of pieces. Your job is to connect those pieces, creating something that makes sense in the long run. Even though at first you may be trying to fit entirely different pieces together, they will never join.     

Evolving alongside Your Company

A talent focused on data analysis is a determining factor of your company’s success year after year. This means that you need someone who wants to evolve alongside your own business.   

Do not get carried away by those offering short-term solutions as they will most likely not invest in your company for good. It will not be long until they start pursuing different goals, drifting away from what you have created thus far.

Final Thoughts

When you are recruiting a data executive or any part of your data analysis team, you should think of what you are trying to accomplish first.   

If you want to invest in building a solid team of professionals with a keen eye for detail and commitment to excel in the digital world, then that’s what you are after.

Make sure to find out an aspiring professional, a firm believer of innovation and an admirer of technology in all of its forms. You can never go wrong with that! 

Stephen Perelgut

Program Coordinator and Lecturer

3 年

Thanks for another thoughtful and thought-provoking article. This time, I'm going to (partially) disagree. I think that executives, in general, need to understand the capabilities of AI and how it can be applied to their company but they don't need deep technical knowledge of how AI is built. To further abuse a common analogy, they need to understand high performance driving but they don't need to know how to build an internal combustion engine or even how to change oil or rotate tires. This is part of a continuum of education and training. The C-suite needs to understand the potential (the art of the possible) and the Chief Data Scientist probably needs more in-depth knowledge. The Board needs a slightly different view. The Directors, senior managers, etc. need their own, well-tuned education while managers, designers, architect, coders, etc. all need their own variations. There are lots of overlaps and often the same material with a different perspective is the right way to go. So... I don't believe that deep knowledge is an absolute requirement for a data executive, just the right knowledge will do just fine (and, to be fair, that's what they're going to have time for).

Gilbert Eijkelenboom

Data Storytelling training | Bestselling author: People Skills for Analytical Thinkers | Founder of MindSpeaking | The Human Side of Data

3 年

The data executive job isn't easy ;-) Great article, Achille Ettorre, MBA. I like that you included culture too - fostering a co-creation mindset between data and business.

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