Driven by Data | The Newsletter, Edition 85
Orbition Group
The World's Only, Exclusive, Data, Analytics & AI Talent Consulting Firm
It's officially spooky season??
We are busy behind the scenes pairing up mentors with mentees and mentees with mentors. By the end of the pairing process, we expect about 80 partnerships - so many of you applied and we couldn't be happier! We also have some great jobs going at the moment, but more on that below!
Driven by Data | The Podcast
We will be back very soon with our first episode of Season 5! So stay tuned and be sure to hit Follow on your favourite listening app to be notified when a new episode drops!
Have you signed up for the First-Ever LIVE Driven By Data: The Podcast Event?
With nearly 200 people already signed up for this major event, we’re thrilled to celebrate a major milestone of Driven by Data: The Podcast—approaching 4 years, 4 seasons, and over 200 episodes, with nearly 60,000 listeners from over 160 countries. Now, for the first time ever, we’re hosting a LIVE event!
This special event will feature live recordings, from in-depth case studies and 1:1 interviews to dynamic panel discussions, tackling the industry’s most pressing topics.
Tickets will be available soon, with all ticket sale proceeds going to charity. Don’t miss out—join the waitlist now for exclusive early access to tickets when they go live!
The confirmed guests so far are:
Have you read our Culture of Data Report yet?
Earlier in the year, we ran a series of surveys and interviews where we asked CDAOs and, where applicable, the people within Data & Analytics teams who are responsible for culture-related initiatives, to assess the current landscape around how organisations are driving a culture that values data. We’ve produced a report based on these findings, and we are excited to share this report with you!
We also asked the following questions:
Give the report a read to find out the answers - featuring input from a few of our community members too and an interview article Anna X. Wang from Multiverse :
Current jobs on offer:
We have got some really meaty roles on at the moment. Why not check them out and if one takes your fancy, get in touch with Natalia Kurasinski :
Take the Orbition Data & Analytics Talent Scorecard Assessment
Our Data, Analytics & AI Talent Scorecard Assessment provides organisations with a comprehensive analysis of their ability to identify, engage, assess, attract, and retain industry-leading talent. With a focus on three critical areas, we assess how your data and analytics function operates and is perceived both internally and externally.
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Interested in taking the assessment for your organisation? Get in touch with us or message Kyle Winterbottom and we will send you the link.
Bridging the Gap: Tony Zona on Navigating the Evolving Role of the CDO
Our best-performing podcast in September was with Tony Zona . In this podcast episode, he explains the importance of the role of CDO.
The Chief Data Officer role has become one of the most crucial in today’s business world, yet it continues to evolve. Tony Zona , CDO at Grant Thornton UK LLP , offers a fresh perspective on how this role can drive real transformation within organisations. From his start as a tax trainee to becoming a key figure in data strategy, Zona’s journey illustrates the unique blend of skills that can redefine what it means to lead in data.
A Non-Traditional Path to Data Leadership
Tony Zona’s career path was far from a typical route to becoming a CDO. Starting out as a tax trainee over 25 years ago, Zona gradually moved through roles in project management, business intelligence, and tax software implementation. His varied experiences gave him a deep understanding of business needs—a quality he finds invaluable in his current role. Additionally, his experience as a translator for his deaf parents taught him essential skills in communication and interpretation, which he now applies to bridge technical and business discussions.
"Coming from a non-technical background allowed me to approach data from a business perspective," says Zona. "Having an understanding of the business and aligning data initiatives with the organisation’s priorities has been a significant advantage." This business-first approach to data is at the core of Zona's leadership philosophy.
Building Data Literacy as a Cultural Shift
For Zona, fostering data literacy is about more than just training; it requires a cultural transformation. He warns against what he calls a "tick-box" approach to data literacy. “Both organisations and data teams need to be data literate to make informed decisions and avoid negative impacts,” he explains. Instead of treating data literacy as a one-time exercise, Zona advocates for embedding a data mindset across all levels of the organisation.
A core component of this shift, Zona believes, is creating a common data language. He likens this to the role of a national language in unifying diverse regions. "If individuals only learn the dialect of the team they’re in, they struggle to communicate with the wider business," he says. "Data has to be that unifying language." This shared language enables different teams to collaborate more effectively, ensuring that data insights are aligned with business goals.
Making the Case for Data Investment
One of the recurring challenges Zona faces is influencing senior leadership to invest in data initiatives. His strategy? Clearly demonstrating the tangible benefits of data and the risks of not prioritising it. “It’s about painting a picture of a future, data-enabled organisation and demonstrating quick wins,” Zona shares. By showcasing small but impactful successes, he builds credibility and secures the backing needed for long-term initiatives.
Advice for Aspiring Data Leaders
Zona’s advice for those looking to advance in data leadership is refreshingly straightforward: keep things simple and focus on business outcomes. “Involve the data teams in the development of solutions and make them part of the solution rather than just a service,” he suggests. Translating complex technical concepts into business value and fostering effective communication are essential skills for data leaders.
As the role of the CDO continues to evolve, leaders like Tony Zona are shaping what it means to build a truly data-driven organisation. By bridging the gap between business strategy and data insights, Zona is paving the way for a future where data becomes an integral part of decision-making and growth at Grant Thornton UK. His journey underscores the importance of diversity in skillsets and perspectives, a lesson that aspiring data leaders would do well to emulate.
You can listen to the full episode here:
And of course, this week's data joke:
A database walks into a pub...
he joins two tables!
See you next week!
Orbition Group Newsletter #85 is outstanding. Who can contain their enthusiasm for Driven By Data: The Podcast LIVE!!!???!!! I dare say no one. The waiting list for this premiere premium event must be found in the category of the world's longest things. --- AND who isn't excited of the results of the Orbition Group Culture of Data Report???!!!??? I dare say no one. I see people reading it everywhere. This report must be found in the category of the world's more well read reports. --- AND which business and/or data leaders haven't taken notice of the Orbition Group Talent Scorecard. Do you know how attractive Data Pros are finding your organization or yourself. Nobody wants to be the ugly data team that really never turns into a swan. --- There is a Tony Zona getting us into the zone where we can navigate the evolving role of the CDO. --- And there is the joke. Well done.
So exciting!!
Another busy week!