Driven by Data | The Newsletter, Edition 87

With November properly underway we are keeping very busy with lots of new and exciting roles - actually the most we have ever had at one time - as well as looking to next year and putting together some exciting new ideas and campaigns. So stay tuned for all the action!

Have you signed up yet for the first-ever Live Recording event of Driven By Data: The Podcast?

We’re bringing?Driven By Data: The Podcast?to life with a full-day?LIVE?event in London early next year!

Expect a day packed with insightful case studies, 1:1 interviews, and thought-provoking panel discussions. We’re honoured to announce our guest line-up so far:

• Davin Crowley-Sweet, Chief Data Officer, National Highways
• Aimee Smith, Director of Data, Metropolitan Police
• Ranil Boteju, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Lloyds Banking Group
• Daniel Hulme, Chief AI Officer, WPP & CEO, Satalia
• Loretta Franks, Global Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Kellanova
• Sarah Barr Miller, Director of Data & Automation, British Airways

Also, 100% of ticket proceeds will go to charity.

Join our waitlist by clicking the link below and be among the first to know when tickets go live!

Yesterday: Mentorship Cohort 8 launched!

What a day yesterday was! Such fantastic reactions and loads of enthusiasm all around as we launched our 8th cohort of our Driven by Data mentorship. All pairings have been emailed and introduced. We have a big intro call for all involved on Thursday and we can't wait to see you more than one hundred of there!

Want to see what all the fuss is about? Sign up for Cohort 9 here:

Today: Kyle Winterbottom at BFSI Chief Data Officer Exchange

This morning our CEO & Founder Kyle started off things on Day 2 of the BFSI Chief Data Officer Exchange . He was joined by:

• Bhushan Kokate from MS Amlin
• Dizem O. from 法国巴黎银行
• Nigel Guy from 三井住友银行

Together they discussed the topic of: From Shallow and Wide to Narrow and Deep: The Value Driven Benefits of a Strategic Shift.

Kyle will also be speaking on a panel later today for the closing discussion of the showcase, focusing on Data Literacy: Building Accountability Through Democratisation.

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:

• Interim Head of Data Platform
• Director of Data
• Partner
• Analytics Engineer
• Head of Data Management & Foundations

Have you taken our Orbition Data & Analytics Talent Scorecard Assessment yet?

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.

Driving Data Adoption: Building Curiosity and Creating a Culture of Engagement

Our most downloaded podcast episode in the last month was with Marion Shaw . We explored the ins and outs of data transformation, highlighting the importance of fostering curiosity and engagement across teams to drive meaningful change.

One key takeaway was that data leaders need to think beyond single-use cases and consider the broader impact data can have across the business. When data is presented as a tool with the potential to create a domino effect—unlocking benefits in multiple areas of the organisation—it becomes easier to generate a data culture. But the path to achieving this is not always straightforward.

Engagement Through Curiosity

Building an environment where curiosity leads to action is vital, and this begins by engaging non-technical stakeholders. Many organisations struggle with data adoption because the data conversation often feels too abstract or complex for those not steeped in technical details. However according to the guest on this podcast episode Marion Shaw , one of the most effective ways to spark interest is to create informal, low-pressure spaces for learning, such as lunch-and-learns, drop-in sessions, or even afternoon tea. These settings help demystify data and make it feel more accessible to people at all levels of the organisation.

The challenge, however, is knowing who to engage first. The advice shared was to identify either your biggest champion or your most vocal critic. By focusing your efforts on one of these individuals, you can create advocates who will, in turn, help spread the message. If you manage to turn your most outspoken critic into an advocate, the impact can be transformative. As Marion explained, when people see someone who was once negative about data suddenly championing it, it sends a powerful message that the value of data is real, tangible, and beneficial.

Effective Marketing for Data Strategies

Interestingly, the marketing of data initiatives isn’t all that different from traditional marketing practices. Just like any marketing campaign, data leaders need to understand what resonates with their audience and speak to their concerns. The trick is to avoid using technical jargon and instead focus on the pain points that data can help alleviate.

For example, instead of framing a session around "data governance," it’s far more effective to focus on a challenge that resonates with the audience. A session could be framed as "Is GDPR driving you mad?" or "Are you worried about your competitors’ data strategies?" The idea is to make the subject matter relatable, tapping into frustrations or concerns people already have. By using real-world examples, like the risk of data fines or the consequences of poor data governance, data leaders can show how data solutions can directly address these issues. Marion suggested using competitors who have been penalised for data breaches as an example of what could go wrong if data isn’t managed properly, but with a positive spin—making sure the audience sees the opportunity to avoid the same pitfalls.

In essence, this approach is about understanding the difference between "sales" and "marketing" in the data space. The sales aspect is getting people to the meeting or event, while the marketing aspect is raising awareness of the issues that would drive them to want to learn more about data. This is where data leaders can use curiosity as a hook to engage people who might otherwise feel disconnected from data strategy. As Marion pointed out, understanding the problem is more important than understanding the solution. Speak to the problem, and the solution will become clear.

Building the Foundation for Data-Driven Change

The road to data adoption doesn’t rely solely on top-down mandates or complex technological systems. Instead, it’s about creating a culture where curiosity is nurtured, champions are empowered, and data is framed as a solution to the very real, day-to-day challenges that employees face. By fostering an environment that encourages questions, promotes engagement, and frames data as a problem-solving tool, data leaders can begin to shift organisational mindsets and create a lasting impact.

This approach to data adoption is rooted in the understanding that it’s not just about getting people to use data tools or adhere to data policies. It’s about building a culture where curiosity drives action and where employees are empowered to use data in ways that benefit the organisation as a whole. When data is tied to real-world problems, it becomes a powerful tool that can drive innovation, optimise decision-making, and ultimately lead to better outcomes across the business.

Ultimately, the key to successful data adoption lies in creating curiosity and engaging individuals on a personal level. By hosting informal sessions, framing data in relatable terms, and focusing on the issues that matter most to the organisation, data leaders can ensure that data becomes an integral part of the team.

You can listen to the full episode here:

And of course, this week's data joke:

Why did the data analyst break up with the database?

Because it kept giving mixed signals!

See you next week!