CDO Matters Podcast

Episode Overview In the 50th episode of the CDO Matters podcast, host Malcolm Hawker delves into a data-driven examination of the podcast's journey. Conducting a thorough review of the past fifty episodes, he identifies notable patterns and insights. He carefully assesses achievements and identifies areas for improvement, covering a range of aspects, from refining technical elements to strengthening community connections. Join him as he applies analytical rigor to evaluate past performance and chart a course for future improvement in this landmark episode! Episode Links and Resources Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn

Episode Overview The explosion of LLMs and AI is causing a tectonic shift in the world of data and analytics, and on this episode of CDO Matters, Malcolm and Jon Cooke discuss how CDOs can leverage the discipline of product management to best capitalize on these massive changes. From data products, to the data mesh, and beyond – Malcolm and Jon enjoy a lively discussion on the many evolving attributes that will increasingly define a world focused less on data (and datasets), and more on knowledge and business insights. If you’re a CDO and you’re interested in learning more about how your operating model will necessarily need to shift over the coming years to adapt to a new AI-driven world of insights, then this episode is a must-listen. Episode Links & Resources Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn Follow Jon Cooke on LinkedIn

Episode Summary In an age of constant disruption and AI-enabled business transformation, Master Data Management (MDM) is a must-have capability that all businesses must embrace. In this episode of the CDO Matters podcast, the leading global authority on MDM, Malcolm Hawker, shares his insights on the four keys to successfully and quickly implementing MDM at your organization. Episode Links and Resources Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn

Episode Overview In this episode of the CDO Matters Podcast, Robert Hawker (no relation – at least none that we’re aware of!) joins for a discussion on Practical Data Quality – which is all a programmatic approach to data quality that focuses on business benefits, quick wins, and the highest priority challenges. Data quality issues are a major hindrance to the AI and digital transformation aspirations of most companies, so having a roadmap to resolve those issues is a strategic imperative for all data leaders. Please join Malcolm and Robert as they discuss a practical, value-driven approach to overcoming the perils of low-quality data. Episode Links and Resources Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn Follow Robert Hawker on LinkedIn

Episode Overview In a world of exploding volumes of data, the ability to add the context needed to show the complex relationships that exist within and across datasets is of critical importance. Making the jump from data management to knowledge management is a key enabler of a next generation semantic layer, as described by Lulit Tesfaye, a Partner and Vice President with Enterprise Knowledge. In this 46th episode of the CDO Matters Podcast, Malcolm and Lulit go deep on next gen semantic layers, and how the output of these systems is driving value through improved search, analytics, and generative AI. Episode Links and Resources Follow Malcolm Hawker on Linkedin Follow Lulit Tesfaye on LinkedIn

Episode Overview The ability of an organization to be more resilient to change, to be more flexible and adaptable, and to use data for decision making – are key traits of high-functioning companies. In this episode of the CDO Matters Podcast, Malcolm talks with Jason Foster, the CEO of Cynosure, about how CDO’s can become more ready for AI, or any other major disruption to their business. While becoming ‘AI ready’ is extremely important, Jason makes a compelling case that data leaders need to take a more holistic approach to becoming more change resilient – which would also include a focus on value, design thinking, and being more commercially focused – among many other important traits to CDO success outlined in this broad-reaching discussion. Episode Links and Resources Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn Follow Jason Foster on LinkedIn

Episode Overview On this episode of the CDO Matters Podcast, Piethein Strengholt, author of the O’Reilly book ‘Data Management At Scale’, and current CDO of Microsoft Netherlands, shares his perspectives on a variety of emerging technology trends in the world of data, including the data fabric, data products, MDM, AI – and many others – even blockchain for data management. Malcolm moderates a lively discussion on these trends, with a focus on how data leaders can better understand these concepts, and their value and purpose in a modern enterprise data architecture. Episode Links and Resources Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn Follow Piethein Strengholt on LinkedIn

Episode Overview In this 43rd episode of the CDO Matters Podcast, Malcolm interviews Santona Tuli, a former Nuclear Physicist turned data scientist. Santona shares some provocative and actionable insights to data leaders looking to take a more practical approach to implementing AI and data science into their organizations. If you’re looking to show value from AI, quickly, Santona shares her recommendations for everything that data leaders should be considering in their search for the optimal way to embrace these transformative new technologies. Episode Links and Resources Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn Follow Santona Tuli on LinkedIn

Episode Overview Are you a data professional interested in better understanding what the top trends that could affect your work will be in 2024? What is the future of data products? How will AI influence data governance and data management? Malcolm covers these topics and many, many more as he shares his perspectives on the direction of the industry of data and analytics in the coming year. Episode Links and Resources Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn

Episode Overview In this live episode of the CDO Matters Podcast, Malcolm welcomes Erik Zwiefel, the CDAO of Microsoft Americas. Malcolm and Erik go deep on many of the biggest topics front-of-mind for many CDOs today, including Artificial Intelligence – especially how CDOs can best position themselves and their organizations to be more AI ready, and some practical tips on how to operationalize LLMs within their organizations - today. Other timely topics for CDOs include the Microsoft Fabric and the concept of ‘One Lake’, a single environment for enterprise data management, persistence, and compute. Episode Links and Resources Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn Follow Erik Zwiefel on LinkedIn

Episode Overview It’s the end of yet another incredibly busy and exciting year in the world of data and analytics, and CDOs looking for an energetic and entertaining perspective on the top trends of the year should put this episode at the top of their podcast playlist. From the growth of AI to the demise of the data mesh, Malcolm provides his perspectives on the last year in data in a way that only he can – with a witty combination of passion and provocation that will surely leave you wanting more. Episode Links and Resources Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn

Episode Overview Many CDOs believe that transitioning their companies to a data-driven culture is the #1 roadblock to fulfilling their data strategies. In this episode of CDO Matters, Malcolm provides his insights on what behaviors and mindsets are needed from CDOs to model the culture they wish others outside the data and analytics function to embrace. Malcolm posits that meaningful culture change must necessarily start within data teams and that until CDOs themselves embrace being more data-driven, they can’t realistically ask others to do the same. Episode Links and Resources Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn

Episode Overview In this 38th episode of the CDO Matters Podcast, Malcolm interviews Mark Stouse, the Founder and CEO of Proof Analytics. An accomplished business leader with decades of experience in leading data science initiatives, Mark shares his perspectives on the growing frustration that many organizations are experiencing because of an inability to realize significant benefits from investments in data management and data science. The risks of CDOs saying they aren’t ‘ready’ to provide business value from AI and data science are real and increasingly unwelcome from companies looking for more immediate returns from their data teams. This is producing an immediate need for CDOs to be unabashedly lean, with an unrelenting focus on a very limited number of specific business needs and outcomes. Episode Links and Resources Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn Follow Mark Stouse on LinkedIn

Episode Overview: Many CDOs are hired with the expectation they’ll become the ‘Chief Change Agent’ for their companies – helping to transform old and outdated approaches to data and business management to more digital, efficient, and scalable ones. On this mission many CDOs will most certainly encounter resistance at every level, requiring a deeper understanding of what makes change so difficult. In this 37th episode of the CDO Matters podcast, join Dan Everett as he helps to explain why people are uncomfortable with change, and how modern data leaders can better lead their organizations through it. Episode Links and Resources: Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn Follow Dan Everett on LinkedIn

Episode Overview: In the 36th episode of the CDO Matters Podcast, Malcolm speaks with Wendy Turner Williams, the ex-CDO of Tableau and VP of Data Strategy for Salesforce. A proven leader in the world of data and analytics, Wendy shares exciting details into her most recent venture, The Association: a community of data and AI practitioners dedicated to helping each other overcome their biggest challenges. Wendy shares her vision for how this new community will help data leaders finally achieve more influence, more value, and more trust at a time when these things are needed more than ever before. Episode Links and Resources: Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn Follow Wendy Turner-Williams on LinkedIn

Episode Overview: In the 35th episode of the CDO Matters Podcast, Malcolm speaks to Veronika Durgin, the VP of Data with Saks. As a data leader with more of a technical background, Veronika shares her insights on how she's applied the '30% rule' to learn the foreign language of business - a critical key to her success in data leadership. Throughout the conversation, Veronika shares other practical lessons she's learned that make her such a learned and inspiring member of the data leadership community. Her story shows that with plenty of hard work, a dedication to learning, and plenty of self-awareness, a successful career in data is possible regardless of your background. Episode Links and Resources: Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn Follow Veronika Durgin on LinkedIn

Episode Overview: We live in a world of constant change and massive technical and social disruption, yet the way we manage data has largely remained the same. A continued focus on the same old and tired approaches to data management are no longer serving the needs of data leaders and they must be revisited. In this episode of the CDO Matters podcast, Malcolm explores what it takes to break free of old mindsets that limit the growth and tenure of data leaders, and to embrace more modern forms of data leadership. Episode Links and Resources: Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn

Episode Overview Data Engineers play a critical role in enabling the success of any data and analytics function. In this episode of the CDO Matters Podcast, Malcolm interviews Joe Reis, the co-author of the bestselling O’Reilly book, “Fundamentals of Data Engineering”. In the discussion, Joe gives a sneak peek into the minds of data engineers and what makes them tick. Data leaders, particularly those with less technical backgrounds, should find this discussion a helpful tool to improve their relationships with the people critical to the success of their data and analytics operation. Episode Links and Resources: Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn Follow Joe Reis on LinkedIn

Episode Summary: Data leaders have long been challenged by the need to make a tangible connection between investments in data and quantifiable business outcomes. Value Engineering is an evolving competency that CDO’s can integrate into their organizations to solve for this mission-critical need. In this episode, Laurence Young shares his insights as a practiced Value Engineer, sharing his recommendations on the steps CDOs need to take within their organizations to start measuring their business effectiveness. Episode Links and Resources: Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn Follow Laurence Young on LinkedIn

Episode Overview: While the CDO role gains prominence and importance across most organizations, many CDOs are set up to fail from poorly defined roles, a lack of trust, and an insufficient focus on business outcomes. In this 31st episode of the CDO Matters Podcast, Malcolm interviews Allison Sagraves, the founding CDO of M&T Bank, to ask why so many CDOs face these challenges, and what they must do to overcome them. In reference to an insightful HBR article Allison recently published on CDO success, she provides her insights on how CDO’s can manage a critical balance between patience and urgency, and the importance of taking the time to recognize where positive strides are being made to deliver on a data strategy. Malcolm reminds CDO’s how important it is to ‘pound the drum’, a metaphor for the importance of marketing – and celebrating – all the strides companies are making towards becoming more data-enabled. From data literacy, to data quality, to the next generation of data leaders, Malcolm and Allison have a wide-ranging conversation on some of the biggest issues facing data leaders today. Episode Links and Resources: • Follow Malcolm Hawker on LinkedIn • Follow Allison Sagraves on LinkedIn • Read Allison’s article on Harvard Business Review, “Why Chief Data and AI Officers Are Set Up to Fail”