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:
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