Driven by Data | The Newsletter, Edition 58

Even though it may not feel like it here in the UK, summer is fast approaching and boy are we ready for it! We have lots planned and it's keeping us busy at Orbition HQ!

We have a jam-packed newsletter edition for you today, so keep reading ????

Driven by Data | The Podcast

In Episode 25, of Season 4, of Driven By Data: The Podcast , Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Irina Mihai , Director of Data, Marketing Analytics & Decision Science at 阿迪达斯 . They discuss how to create an environment to ensure that the work of a D&A team is constantly visible, which includes discussions about coming from a non-STEM background and dealing with imposter syndrome, the importance of branding the Data & Analytics team both internally and externally and having an internal decision-support culture, amongst many other topics.

Listen to the full episode here:

TOMORROW: LinkedIn LIVE Discussion: Data Culture Transformation in 2024

Join us online tomorrow at 2 pm BST for this much-anticipated discussion about data culture transformation! We will have Cali Wood , the Head of Data Strategy & Culture at 安盛 , Hannah Davies the Head of Data Culture & Excellence at Admiral Group Plc , Josh Cunningham , the Group Head of Data Culture at Lloyds Banking Group and Sandra Oudshoff , the Global Analytics Engagement Lead at 喜力 join our panel!

Our very own Kyle Winterbottom will host the event, as the panel explores the role of data culture in organisational transformation and strategic decision-making. You can also take part in the Q&A session and directly engage with our panellists.

If you haven't already, secure your spot and register now:

Can't attend the event? No problem! You can still catch up on all the action by registering and watching it on demand later.?Feel free to share this event with anyone you think would be interested, or anyone in your team who may find it relevant.

Orbition Group at Digital Transformation EXPO Manchester (DTX)

Join us at the North's biggest enterprise IT and technology event

On the 22 – 23 May 2024, industry tech leaders from the likes of TUI , Booking.com , ASOS.com , JD Sports Fashion , BBC and Bupa will take to the stage offering insights on how they plan to leverage future technology to drive the digital agenda forward. Get ready to join the conversation during exclusive panels, workshops, technical deep dives and community meet-ups.

Orbition is delighted to be bringing our Driven by Data events back to Manchester and we hope you can join us!

Kyle Winterbottom has moderated/spoken at several DTX events over the last few years and he will be moderating several sessions at the DTX Manchester event in May, and we’ve organised a Driven by Data meetup for our Northern community to take place on the Data & AI stage, on 22nd May from 4:30 pm-6:30 pm.

There will be several panel discussions, workshops, fireside chats and more! Find out more and book your space here:

Looking back to our London Q1 event earlier this year...

We had an amazing little video made of our last roundtable event and we wanted to share it with you!

The Driven by Data Mentorship

We're still accepting applications for experienced professionals to serve as mentors for the Driven by Data Mentorship programme. As a mentor, you'll play a crucial role in guiding and supporting individuals on their career paths within the Data & Analytics industry. This initiative is tailored for senior managers and seasoned professionals who are eager to share their insights and network within the field. You could make a significant impact on someone's career as well as advance your career simultaneously. Apply now to become a mentor for our upcoming June cohort: https://lnkd.in/gRaxpc_3 .

Here's what one of our mentors Graeme McDermott had to say...

The Evolution of Data Leaders

This week's insight blog is brought to you by Sophie Muscat

As researchers, industry experts, and practitioners take a look into the framework of D&A leadership roles, queries arise about their goals and essential skill sets. The environment highlights the importance of flexibility and innovation in dealing with the constantly developing ways of the data-driven world. However, within the booming job market for data experts, there is somewhat of a worrying gap in the demand for D&A leadership positions. This gap may create future challenges for future leaders and foreshadow bigger questions about the industry's structural framework.

The recent shift in D&A roles, including their consolidation back into IT departments and relocation among top senior staff, highlights a wave of change. These changes raise questions about the significance and job placement of D&A leadership roles within organisations, adding a further layer of complication to the hurdles faced by leaders in the field.

Thus it becomes vital for senior managers to find out the root causes of this gap and come together to create a more stable workplace where D&A leaders can do well. By having a better understanding of the hurdles and working together to address them, they can pave the way for a more inclusive and strong future for leadership in the data-driven world.

There's been a big change in how Data & Analytics roles are handled. At first, these roles moved away from being part of the IT department and became more integrated into overall business operations, which was seen as a positive move. But now, things are changing again. D&A responsibilities are being given to other top executives, not just those in IT. This shift suggests a rethink of how companies handle data and could affect the power and influence of D&A leaders.

The continually changing D&A environment for leadership roles creates both challenges and opportunities for professionals in the field. As organisations change to adapt to new methods and patterns, D&A leaders need to be flexible and use initiative in their working style.

Leaders need to be able to adapt and mould their methods and work to match ever-changing business needs. This could mean staying abreast of the latest technology, understanding new methods and trends and keeping up with team training.

As D&A tasks may be handed out amongst top-level staff, a close-knit team to handle the workload becomes very important. Leaders must work together closely as well as across teams to be in all the elements their project may require to succeed and the data be presented in a way that is easy to understand.

The reshuffling of D&A roles may alter the hierarchy within the organisation, but this may be a good thing, as it could provide a way for D&A leaders to increase their influence. By making other staff members understand the importance of the value of data-driven decision-making, which in turn affects business success rates, D&A leaders can harness their power and prove their strength within the company to higher management.

In order to thrive and be successful, leaders need the backing of senior management and chairpersons. This means high-level staff need to see and understand the importance of data-driven insights, understand that a good team is required for strong and reliable data and create a culture that welcomes and encourages data literacy and transparency.

Given all the changes and constant hurdles D&A leaders encounter, their roles require continuous monitoring and flexibility. They need to constantly look at what their competitors are doing to see what the latest trends are and ensure that they have everything they need to succeed and remain one foot ahead of future challenges.

Given the constant development in the D&A landscape, leaders need to learn to lean in and take on these changes as a chance for an opportunity if they want to be successful, as well as always pushing the importance of data-driven decision-making.

And finally, the data joke of the week:

Why did the data leader always bring a calculator to the party?

Because they knew how to crunch numbers and "multiply" the fun! ??

See you next week! ??

Team Orbition