Looking Back on 2024, what’s the biggest change you’ve seen in D&A this year?
Problematic behaviours amongst data professionals. Too many people still expecting Data to be okay and treat the industry like 2017 strategic-consultancy. Rather than a more mature industry that is equally technical AND business focused. There’s a balance to be had, but the rise of the Data Influencer who’s never pushed a dashboard or a line of code is wildly problematic for the ongoing Data hype cycle.
What’s a skill that’s vital to successful D&A leadership?
Honesty & Transparency. It’s too easy to hide behind complex technology or business process to either your staff OR your stakeholders. Both appreciate transparency, but need to know they and you are accountable for when delivering any project, be that complex ML/Data ones or simple changes to pre-existing tables.
What’s a festive tradition you look forward to every year?
Personally? just getting away from it all and spending time with my wife and dog. Professionally? An oppo to slow down during change freeze periods, replan, reprioritise and resocialise. In retail, the run up to Christmas can be brutal. Spending time with the team decompressing is amazingly good to get your head back in it for the January Blues.
What’s your favourite part of your festive dinner plate?
I am a 99% vegetarian (Sometimes a burger is just too good), but my wife and I discovered vegetarian turkey in 2021 and have had it since. It’s amazing. No I cannot remember the name, but given that one day our Turkey overlords will rise against us… you’ll wish you could barter with them with Furkey and not Turkey.
