DS30 Podcast

"There's a gap between the technical side and the business side. You need to bridge that gap with a common understanding of what's predicted, how well, and what's done about it."  – Eric Siegel In this insightful Data Chats episode, we explore the critical intersection of business and machine learning with Eric Siegel, a renowned expert in the field. Eric's insights offer a roadmap for organizations seeking to leverage the power of AI to drive their business forward. Eric Siegel is the founder of Machine Learning Week, former Columbia professor, and bestselling author of his new release, “The AI Playbook: Mastering the Rare Art of Machine Learning Deployment.” He has a talent for bridging the gap between complex data science concepts and the practical application of machine learning in the business world.  Check out Eric's new release, “The AI Playbook: Mastering the Rare Art of Machine Learning Deployment” here.  With his remarkable insights, Eric Siegel sits down with host, Chris Richardson, as he guides us through the exciting yet challenging landscape of AI's role in business. They discuss:  Aligning with Business Objectives: Success comes from defining clear goals and understanding how AI can contribute to achieving them. Measuring Deployment Success: Companies must define meaningful metrics that reflect the project's impact on the business. Human Involvement: While AI and ML hold great potential, there's still a need for human involvement to validate AI-generated results and maintain quality control. New Roles and Responsibilities: As AI's role in business continues to evolve, new job titles and roles, such as machine learning business liaisons, are emerging.  Want to learn more from Eric? Tune in to his previous interview with us here.  Drive Business Growth Through Data Science As you reflect on the importance of seamless collaboration between business development and data science, take the first step toward ensuring your organization thrives in the era of data-driven decision-making with The Pragmatic Institute Data Maturity Assessment.  The assessment is designed for organizations looking to measure and grow their level of data maturity, helping them identify pillars for improvement and best practices to make the most out of the data at hand. It's not just a tool; it's your gateway to unlocking your business's potential through data-driven strategies.  Take the Assessment

“Data visualization is about adding a visual channel to make the data more memorable and comprehensible. We remember things in images and stories; we are not number creatures."  – Nadieh Bremer   In this episode of Data Chats, host Chris Richardson and data visualization expert Nadieh Bremer explore the world of data visualization and unravel its intricacies, offering practical tips and insights into the fusion of art and data science.  Nadieh Bremer is a data visualization designer and artist, working to captivate and engage an audience with the insights that the data reveals, to convince them of the lessons hidden within the numbers, and to take readers along on a journey told through the lens of data. During this episode with Chris and Nadieh, you will:  Learn the art of maintaining brand consistency while crafting data visuals  Understand the importance of providing detailed explanations for data variables Delve into the challenge of quantifying return on investment (ROI) for data visualization Explore the evolving role of AI in data visualization and its potential impact Gain insights into tailoring data visuals for different audiences  Discover the shift from interactivity to purposeful interaction in data visualization Learn more about Nadieh here.   Uncover Hidden Opportunities in Data with our eBook Data plays a crucial role in enabling organizations to build models and harness the power of data to uncover actionable insights that drive business success. However, it's important for data professionals to analyze the data at hand with the goal of providing actionable insights and concrete next steps for stakeholders. If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, download our eBook, Analyze: Unlock Actionable Insights for Business Growth. In this eBook, you'll discover how to simplify your findings into a business strategy that can be easily interpreted and put into action.  Download Now  

“I'm the garbage lady of the data world. It's a job no one wants to do, but if it isn't done, society would fall apart if we didn't have our rubbish cleared,” - Susan Walsh   In this episode, host Chris Richardson, sits down with the data cleaning expert, Susan Walsh, to explore the overlooked realm of data cleaning.   Susan shares her rich experiences and the fulfilling aspects of creating order from data chaos, emphasizing its pivotal role in delivering accurate analysis.   They Discuss: How clean data drives profitability, improves efficiency, and enables smarter business decisions Why budgeting for data cleaning is crucial and how to factor it into project timelines An interesting take on how redefining traditional roles within a team could unearth hidden data-cleaning talents How can dirty data adversely affect AI and machine learning outcomes, and why human intervention in data cleaning remains indispensable? What's Your Organization's Data Maturity? Our Data Maturity Scale and Assessment is a powerful tool for organizations that want to measure—and grow—their level of data maturity. Take the Assessment

“When you stop seeing numbers, and you start seeing people in your data sheets, everything changes.” - Favio Vazquez   In this episode, our host, Chris Richardson, interviews Favio Vazquez, Senior Data Scientist at H20.ai.   This conversation dives deep into all things autoML and AI, from what companies are doing now to what data professionals can do to prepare for the future. Favio provides his strategies for screening for bias and competing in a job market where AI is changing how we work.   They discuss: What to expect in the transition from data science in academia to data science in business What it means to practice data science in an Agile environment Why AI and autoML won't replace data professionals any time soon How to approach ethics in machine learning New roles for data professionals Business-Driven Data Analysis As discussed in this podcast, transitioning to a business environment requires a different lens to interpret and analyze data.   A business-driven approach to data analysis enhances decision-making and aligns data projects with organizational objectives.   Our course, Business-Driven Data Analysis, will train you to learn what a stakeholder truly wants, refine the project based on available data, produce results and provide strategic insights.   Learn More

“I think including alt text that goes beyond just what the thing is, but why you're including it and what is interesting about it to really help people understand” - Amy Cesal   In this episode of Data Chats, hosted by Chris Richardson, we dive deep into the realm of data and design with Amy Cesal, a co-founder and board member of the Data Visualization Society and a product evangelist at EverViz.   Amy, a three-time Information is Beautiful award winner, has significantly contributed to the field of data visualization, pioneering the use of innovative style guides and continuously creating unusual and impactful data visualizations.   In this episode, Chris and Amy discuss: Why dual encoding helps with accessibility Alt text strategies How to gain buy-in for style guides Balancing simplicity with unique and memorable ways to present information Places to find data visualization inspiration Ready to Learn More About Data Visualization?Effective data visualization comes down to knowing your audience. Business-Driven Data Analysis enables data practitioners to refine their projects based on available data, produce results, and effectively communicate strategic insights to diverse stakeholders. Learn More

“When we're thinking about data and data visualization, design is more functional, or at least it should be more functional as opposed to ornamental.”   In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson sits down with Jonathan Schwabish, a renowned expert in the field of data visualization, for a comprehensive look into the world of transforming data into actionable insights.   Jonathan Schwabish is an author, researcher, and the voice behind policyviz.com, where he dives deep into the nuances of effective data presentation and visualization.   During this episode, they discuss: The art of creating titles for charts and graphs Why your goal should be clarity over quantity The role of the audience in data visualization How interactive data and scrolly-telling has evolved Why and how to incorporate accessibility into data viz An ethical approach to data visualization Learn More About Data Visualization Ready to transform your approach to data analysis and become a strategic contributor in your organization? Don't miss out on Pragmatic Institute's Business-Driven Data Analysis masterclass. You'll learn how to define, prepare, analyze, and present complex data to a variety of stakeholders, ensuring that your data projects not only look good but drive actionable insights. >> Learn More

"Airline loyalty innovation died in 1960.” - Mark Ross-Smith   In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson sits down with Mark Ross-Smith, an award-winning leader in the airline loyalty industry, for an insider's perspective on how airlines use data analytics to optimize their loyalty programs.   Mark Ross-Smith is CEO and co-founder of statusmatch.com and the editor of traveldatadaily.com >> read the Cathay Pacific Churn Analysis Case Study.   Mark shares how airlines drive revenue through elite status flyers and co-branded credit cards. He explains the metrics airlines track to increase share of wallet and prevent churn. He also advises how airlines could innovate loyalty programs with data to build emotional connections and make flying more personalized and joyful for customers.   In this wide-ranging discussion, Mark covers: The business model behind the profitability of airline loyalty programs The disproportionate value of top-tier elites and credit cardholders How customer data reveals motivations and future behaviors Why loyalty innovation has stagnated and advice to spur progress How better use of data ultimately benefits customers' lives Data Science for Business Leaders   With data advancing at warp speed, the last thing you want is to be left in the dust by the competition. So get on board with our Data Science for Business Leaders course. You'll learn how to partner with data teams to turn findings into informed decisions.   Learn more and enroll today

“I'm interested in stretching what you can do with data and coming up with ideas of representing it that people haven't thought of before. I think there's a whole spectrum of possibilities here.”  – Miriam Quick Miriam Quick, an accomplished journalist, author, and musician renowned for her innovative approach to data communication, underscores the importance of visualizations and unconventional methods in data journalism. Her work explores beyond the conventional to make data more engaging, breaking the stereotype that data is dull or mundane. In her conversation with host Chris Richardson, Miriam reflects on her unique journey into the data world, combining her passion and strengths with her expertise in computer science to craft a distinctive narrative. She delves into the art of making data accessible and engaging, especially for a broader audience, emphasizing the value of a beginner's mindset when exploring interesting aspects within datasets. So how do you take a creative leap with data? Develop narratives mindful of the presentation format (infographic, dashboard, animation), audience, and tone Use spreadsheets as a starting point to structure information and create visual formats Engage with interactive elements like charts and games to tell a compelling data story Focus on accuracy and value judgments, regardless of the project's creative or conventional nature Draw inspiration from various sources like Information is Beautiful Awards Showcase and unconventional chart types from repositories like Xenographics Miriam also discusses her book, "I Am a Book. I Am a Portal to the Universe," a love letter to book design shared through fascinating data measurements. This conversation ultimately aims to inspire listeners to rethink how they visualize data, striving for creativity and impact in their presentations to overcome the prevalence of poorly designed ones. Do not miss this riveting conversation—hit play now to uncover insights that will reshape your perspective on data visualization.   Want to dive deeper into this topic? Check out the resources below for insights on how to use data visualizations to communicate critical insights.    Article | Maximizing the Impact of Your Data with Compelling Data Visualizations Article | How to Avoid Bad Data Visualizations Article | Data Visualization Best Practices    Podcast | Tell Your Data Story   Podcast | Put Down the Pie Chart and Other Data Visualization Strategies Podcast | Data Visualization and How to Stop Your Charts From Lying   Learn to Deliver Better Data Insights I Business-Driven Data Analysis This course is designed to help you translate a business problem into data analysis that provides actionable insights. Transform how you present insights and advance from a tactical role to being a strategic contributor for your organization.  ✔ Translate business needs into achievable data projects ✔ Learn a proven and repeatable approach to data analysis ✔ Identify the fastest path to actionable insights  ✔ Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders Learn More

This episode is from our recent webinar >> watch the webinar   Looking to spruce up your resume and stand out in the data field? We understand that there are some major changes happening in the tech industry and those changes can be daunting. In light of the recent layoffs happening in our industry, we wanted to help all our fellow tech comrades get hired and put their best foot forward.   In this skills-driven episode, RiseSmart will review the key competencies you'll want to have before you apply and how to make them pop on a resume. RiseSmart will teach you how written branding materials open doors and help individuals: Get market-ready faster Generate more interview invitations Establish a competitive advantage Project an image as a good fit for target companies Shorten job searches • Produce better job offers Receive higher starting salaries

“Generative AI is a real thing, and it's going to become a must for companies to have some AI within their product.”  – Natalia Shuliak, COO at DoubleCloud In this episode of Data Chats, we're joined by Natalia Shuliak, the innovative COO of DoubleCloud, whose visionary work during Microsoft's transition to Azure and Databricks' pre-IPO phase has propelled her to the cutting edge of the data industry.  Our host, Chris Richardson, leads an insightful conversation exploring the transformative potential of generative AI in today's business landscape. In her discussion with Chris Richardson, Natalia offers an exploration of her career journey and reflects on how groundbreaking technologies have transformed businesses over time – just as AI is revolutionizing the current business environment. However, in a world where AI access is commonplace, can it truly deliver a competitive edge? What does it take to use data effectively to drive a significant business impact?  Natalia and Chris discuss the following tips to help get businesses on the right track: How to avoid getting overwhelmed by numbers or analytics The importance of tracking the right KPIs and why businesses should shift their focus from solely revenue to the key factors that generate it Recognizing the potential of smaller data sets in yielding quality insights The criticality of collecting data in one place for swift analysis and decision-making Don't miss this insightful conversation — press play to unravel how you can leverage data and AI to level up your business. Learn more about DoubleCloud here. Explore Valuable Resources  For those eager to delve even deeper, we've curated a list of valuable resources below. These resources are designed to guide you in harnessing data for insightful and informed decision-making. Explore them and start your journey towards becoming a data-driven organization today. Article | Transforming AI Insights Into Actions  Article | The Future of AI in the Workplace Article | Leveraging Data as a Tool for Business Growth Podcast | How to Avoid an AI Project Failure Podcast | How Organizations Can Better Leverage Data by Focusing on Structure and Scalability Podcast | Should You Delegate to ChatGPT? Insights from Nils Janse Empower Your Leadership | Data Science for Business Leaders Stay ahead of the curve in today's data-driven world – learn to collaborate seamlessly with data professionals, unlock actionable insights, and drive impactful decisions for your organization.  With our expert instructors and interactive curriculum, you'll learn how to think strategically about data and apply data-driven insights to real-world business challenges. Register for Data Science for Business Leaders and elevate your strategic thinking with data. Learn More

"Good design is good communication. You can have great data, but if it's not presented effectively, no one's going to pay attention."  - Christopher Laubenthal, Data Design Manager at DeBruce Foundation  In this episode of the Data Chats, Eddie Gordon interviews Christopher Laubenthal, Data Design Manager at DeBruce Foundation, who shares strategies for effectively communicating complex data through design. He emphasizes the importance of framing data with narratives, breaking down key areas of understanding and using clear language to reflect deeper insights gained from research. Christopher also stresses the importance of incorporating user feedback and testing to improve the effectiveness of visualizations.  They dive deep into tested strategies, including:  Using a hierarchical design to order information based on importance Using narratives to frame data and engage the audience Avoiding data literacy gaps by making data more accessible Framing findings with compelling storytelling Christopher's insights offer valuable advice for anyone looking to improve their data communication skills through design. If you want to learn how to communicate data more effectively, this podcast is a must-listen. Want to continue learning about this topic? Check out the resources to learn more about how to communicate data effectively with key stakeholders.  Article | Communicating Data to Non-Data Teams Article | The Power of Data Storytelling for Business Impact Podcast | Strategies to Tell Better Stories with Data Podcast | Lost in Translation: Overcoming Communication Barriers Between Data and Business Teams Learn to Deliver Better Data Insights I Business-Driven Data Analysis This course is designed to help you translate a business problem into data analysis that provides actionable insights. Transform how you present insights and advance from a tactical role to being a strategic contributor for your organization.  ✔ Translate business needs into achievable data projects ✔ Learn a proven and repeatable approach to data analysis ✔ Identify the fastest path to actionable insights  ✔ Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders Learn More

“Tell customers to be honest and give them the freedom to tell you the good, the bad and the ugly, because you will learn so much.” – Zack Wenthe Zack Wenthe, customer data platform evangelist and senior technical product marketing manager at Treasure Data, recommends organizations start to leverage data to create a better emotional connection with customers. Consumer behavior has changed post-pandemic and brands now have to keep up by creating an emotional connection with their customers beyond just traditional advertising. In this conversation with Chris Richardson, Zack explains that a true understanding of customers requires breaking down silos between teams and operating more efficiently, as well as creating meaningful profiles of customers that are deeply grounded in data. This means understanding how consumers interact with the brand, how customers make decisions emotionally and leveraging data to create meaningful decisions.  So how can companies use data to create a more effective marketing strategy? Create a center of excellence around customer data Have cross-functional conversations about what the organization is collecting, what they want to achieve and what gaps need to be filled  Ensure marketers and other team members know their objectives before asking for data from engineers Measure success over time and test different variations of content based on emotional triggers while monitoring who's buying or clicking through the most Don't miss out on this captivating conversation – hit play now to discover valuable takeaways that will reshape your perspective on consumer data. Want to dive deeper into this topic? Check out the resources below for insights on harnessing the power of data to make informed decisions.  Article | The Path to Data Democratization  Article | Communicating Data to Non-Data Teams Article | Leveraging Data as a Tool for Business Growth Podcast | Using the Right Strategy to Transform Raw Data Into Business Gold  Podcast | Lost in Translation: Overcoming Communication Barriers Between Data and Business Teams Podcast | Why Data is a Business Asset and How to Measure Its Value Empower Your Leadership | Data Science for Business Leaders Stay ahead of the curve in today's data-driven world – learn to collaborate seamlessly with data professionals, unlock actionable insights and drive impactful decisions for your organization.  With our expert instructors and interactive curriculum, you'll learn how to think strategically about data and apply data-driven insights to real-world business challenges. Register for Data Science for Business Leaders and elevate your strategic thinking with data. Learn More

This episode is from our latest Data Chat webinar >> watch the webinar Unleashing the power of data analytics helps organizations maximize efficiency, uncover actionable insights, and drive business value. However, getting executives on board comes with its own set of challenges. So, how do you sell data analytics to the c-suite to become a more data-driven organization and leverage the power of data strategically? Join us as Pragmatic Institute's data instructors, Marilyn Coleman and Dr. Susan Gracia, discuss strategies and initiatives that will help you get and keep executive buy-in. Data and business expert Marilyn Coleman shares: Hesitations from executives on sponsoring data Common obstacles on getting executive buy-in How to overcome challenges on selling data analytics to the c-suite How to leverage data with an optimized and repeatable approach Expand Your Knowledge | Data Science for Business Leaders Generating value from the data involves creating innovation, products, or insights. Learn to collaborate with data professionals to unveil business value, make informed decisions, and tackle problems effectively.

“Don't just assume that having advanced technology in place guarantees a solid data strategy. It can help you optimize and it can help you become efficient, but it cannot dictate your strategy.” -      Meenal Iyer Host Chris Richardson is joined by Meenal Iyer, VP of Data at Momentive.ai (formerly SurveyMonkey), to discuss data science for business leaders and the evolution of data over the past two decades. They delve into the significance of data democratization and fostering a robust data culture within organizations. The conversation addresses challenges such as governance and security while emphasizing opportunities for organizations to gain competitive advantages through faster access to insights and innovations derived from their data. Key points covered in the discussion include: • Designing a user-friendly data platform • Anonymizing and tokenizing data for secure user access • Charting a roadmap and vision for a data strategy • Identifying strategic priorities and establishing a center of excellence • Enhancing processes and establishing success metrics Data may be the new oil, but a well-crafted data strategy serves as the refinery that transforms it into valuable fuel. Discover how you can refine your data strategy and leverage data as a powerful asset in this engaging episode. Expand Your Knowledge | Data Science for Business Leaders Generating value from the data involves creating innovation, products, or insights. Learn to collaborate with data professionals to unveil business value, make informed decisions, and tackle problems effectively.

This episode is from our recent webinar >> watch the webinar Are you worried about making a career transition in the forecasted recession? Concerned about ending up in a field where layoffs could happen at any time? Data isn't going away, in fact, it's growing... so there's never been a better time to get into data science and data engineering for job security! We know that affordability is a major concern for everyone, but fear not, at The Data Incubator, we care about what you care about. In this data science bootcamp financing 101 webinar, you'll learn the details of each option we offer and how they're built to suit every individual's needs. You'll learn: What an ISA is and whether it's right for you The difference between a contingent payment plan and a tuition installment plan What sort of flexible loan options we offer How to get your employer to pay for you to attend What scholarships we have available And how you can stand out above the rest and get into our program for free - yes, we said free! You won't want to miss this crash course in financing! And to learn more about our data science bootcamp pricing.

“Data helps businesses understand their customers more, sell to them more and give them more relevant communications when they want to talk to them. It allows them to develop that relationship and to become that customer's first choice.” -      Natasha Joslin   Sometimes, it feels like data teams are talking a different language than their counterparts. No matter how robust the data, insights often seem to fall onto deaf ears.   In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson talks with Natasha Joslin, co-founder of Mojo, a data agency that helps businesses use their data to impact growth. They discuss how businesses need to bridge the gap between data teams, tech teams and business teams in order to get value from their data. Here are a few points they cover: Have a common language when discussing customer metrics or product definitions so that insight can be gained more easily. Leveraging data can mean different things depending on the context, such as customer research or web tracking. Data should be presented in terms of stories and insights that are relevant to the business plan. Good data governance practices democratize data so that everyone can use it without needing a computer science degree. Just having data isn't enough. If you want to learn how to use your data to make an impact, be sure to check out this episode.   Continue Learning | Data Science for Business Leaders Learn how to partner with data professionals to uncover business value, make informed decisions and solve problems.

“What really helps is if you just have one main goal for the [data] project. Know who your audience is and what your success criteria is. That's really going to put you head and shoulders ahead of everybody else, and it's going to make the project so painless. And then I can just dive into the insights and be showing you a lot of cool ideas.”   -Alli Torban   In the world of data analysis, the ability to effectively communicate your insights to stakeholders can be the difference between your ideas being heard or being ignored. Fortunately, there's a powerful tool that can help: data visualizations.In this episode of Data Chats, host Chris Richardson delves into this topic with data viz designer and podcast host Alli Torban.   As the founder of her own data design studio in Washington, D.C., Alli is a recognized expert in the field of data visualizations. She has shared her insights on stages big and small, and has been recognized with the Impactful Community Leader award from the Data Visualization Society.In this episode, Alli and Chris discuss a range of topics including: tools that can help you create effective visualizations how to measure success in this field what it's like to work with clients as a data visualization consultant how data practitioners can bring more creativity into their lives and work. If you're looking to take your data analysis to the next level, be sure to listen in to this informative and engaging episode. With Alli's expert insights, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the power of data visualizations, and how they can help you to communicate your insights with greater impact.   Continue Learning | Business-Driven Data Analysis Move beyond the spreadsheet, deliver actionable findings, and ensure alignment with stakeholders

“They want to understand what's happening. They want a very clear connection between the model that you're doing and the business outcome. They want to know that you've considered all of the operational risks with what you're doing, that you understand the business, that you understand their motivations and their pain points.   All of that stuff is much more important to stakeholders than if you used TensorFlow or a neural net.”-Jeremy Adamson   In this episode of Data Chats, we have a Q&A with Jeremy Adamson, author of Minding the Machines.   Jeremy Adamson is a leader in AI and analytics strategy across industries. He has worked with major organizations to establish leadership positions in data science and to unlock real business value using advanced analytics.   During this episode, Jeremy and Chris discuss: Positioning your analytics unit within your organization Integrating analytics insights into business conversations in a meaningful way Challenges business leaders face when working with data teams Effective ways to put together data and analytics teams Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an expert in the field of data and analytics!   Continue Learning | Data Science for Business Leaders Data Science for Business Leaders shows you how to partner with data professionals to uncover business value, make informed decisions and solve problems.

This session features The Data Incubator instructor Ana Hocevar, who discusses what data ethics means and why it matters.   Nowadays, data is used to deliver insights and drive business decisions, but while that can improve revenue, reduce costs, create new opportunities, identify new ideas, improve customer experience and more, using data comes with responsibilities and ethical challenges.   In this webinar, Ana will discuss: What moral obligations data ethics encompasses, and why every analyst and data scientist should care Principles of data ethics together with best practices How data ethics relates to the use of machine-learning algorithms

“We also wanted to use the textbook to talk about important social issues [like] why do men make more than women? And so, one case study is about understanding the gender gap in the US and why is there a 15, 20% difference in earnings.” - Gábor Békés   In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson interviews Gábor Békés, author of Data Analysis: For Business, Economics, and Policy. Békés is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics and Business of Central European University. He is also a senior research fellow at the KRTK Institute of Economics in Hungary.   They discuss: Detailed process of data analysis The most important methods, tools, and skills for future data analysts Real life case-studies included in the book Implications of data analysis on public policy Humility required for the data interpretation process Take Your Data Skills to the Next Level with Business-Driven Data Analysis This course teaches a proven, repeatable approach that you can leverage across data projects and toolsets to deliver timely data analysis with actionable insights. Learn More

“Even if you don't drink one bit of the A.I. Kool-Aid and you're a senior expert practitioner in machine learning, when you're trying to start a new initiative at your corporation, you're still very liable to make this extremely prevalent mistake that leads to a lack of deployment. And the mistake is that we all, on some level, are fetishizing the technology.” -      Eric Siegel   In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson interviews Eric Siegel, Ph.D., leading consultant and former Columbia University professor who makes machine learning understandable and captivating. He is also the founder of the Predictive Analytics World and Deep Learning World conference series, which has served more than 17,000 attendees since 2009.They discuss: How to use A.I. to improve your organization's capabilities and performance Common mistakes business leaders make with understanding machine learning Why top data scientists fail to make successful models most of the time How operational changes lead to improved data analysis What separates a great organization from the rest when it comes to predictive analytics Necessity of socialization and buy-in to successfully implement predictive analysis  Ethical implications and risks of machine learning Continue Learning | Data Science for Business Leaders Data Science for Business Leaders shows you how to partner with data professionals to uncover business value, make informed decisions and solve problems. Learn More

“I encourage clients to do more automation, diagnostic, predictive or prescriptive work with their data. That's where the real value happens. Not in looking backward at lagging indicators.” - Douglas Laney   In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson interviews Douglas Laney, author of Data Juice: 101 Stories of How Organizations Are Squeezing Value from Available Data Assets. Douglas is also an innovation fellow at West Monroe.   They discuss: How to generate economic value from data Why you should treat data like a business asset How to assess the value of data owned by your company What is inverted data monetization Thinking through the ethical considerations, legal aspects and unintended consequences of selling and using data before taking action Why we need more data managers and not just data analysts How to measure the financial value and business value of data Take Your Data Skills to the Next Level with Business-Driven Data Analysis This course teaches a proven, repeatable approach that you can leverage across data projects and toolsets to deliver timely data analysis with actionable insights. Learn More

This episode is from our latest Product Chat webinar >> watch the webinar Customer life value (CLV) is a key indicator for businesses to better understand long-term and financial viability. A high CLV translates into brand loyalty, increases in sales and recurring revenue from existing customers. So how do you determine the customer lifecycle in your organization to improve interaction? Learn strategies to evaluate and grow customer lifecycle value with Zach King, senior data scientist at GoDaddy. Zach will go in-depth on the importance of customer lifetime value, showcasing a framework to visually understand customer performance and drive long-term success.

“Businesses in the long term and people in the long term are better off strategically if they act in a way that people can trust,” — Kirsten Martin In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson interviews Kirsten Martin about how to approach data from an ethical lens. Kirsten is the William P. and Hazel B. White Center Professor of Technology Ethics and a professor of IT, analytics, and operations in the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. Her new book is called Ethics of Data and Analytics and she is also the host of Tec Talks, a podcast about the impact of technology on humanity. They discuss: Where to find the latest information on ethics in data How to integrate ethics into business decisions involving data Future trends for regulation New ethical questions that data is provoking The questions data professionals can ask to help improve data projects and ensure the work is ethical Continued Learning Data Science for Business Leaders This course teaches you how to partner with data professionals to uncover business value, make informed decisions and solve problems. Learn More   Business-Driven Data AnalysisThis course teaches a proven, repeatable approach that you can leverage across data projects and toolsets to deliver timely data analysis with actionable insights. Learn More

“If something takes longer to automate than to actually do it then don't automate it. Because that's something that we see happening a lot, that analysis that happens maybe once every quarter gets automated. There's no point in that.” — Marco Szeidenleder   In this episode of Data Chats, host Chris Richardson interviews Marco Szeidenleder, managing partner at Pandata GmbH about the early stages of data projects and the importance of building a strong foundation for scalability.   They discuss: How to identify quality and trustworthy data consultants Looking for compatibility when deciding whether or not to switch databases or tools Leveraging data dashboards effectively with stories Why building data structures is an iterative process How to avoid wasting resources on data projects Businesses that benefit the most from machine learning Continue Learning | Data Science for Business Leaders Data Science for Business Leaders shows you how to partner with data professionals to uncover business value, make informed decisions and solve problems. Understand how business leaders and data practitioners contribute at each stage of data projects to drive results that have real impact on your organization Learn More

Looking to spruce up your resume and stand out in the STEM field?   This episode features our elite resume writing service, RiseSmart, to discuss the tips and tricks on writing a killer resume to get you noticed for your first or next data job. RiseSmart will review the key competencies you want to have before applying and how to make them pop on a resume. You will also learn how written branding materials open doors and help individuals.   This episode also covers how to: Get market-ready faster Generate more interview invitations Establish a competitive advantage Project an image as a good fit for target companies Shorten job searches Produce better job offers Receive higher starting salaries About our Partner: Randstand RiseSmart We empower organizations globally to excel by helping them unleash work-life possibilities for every employee throughout their employment journey. RiseSmart was founded in response to rapid workforce changes, talent mobility challenges, and the absolute necessity for companies to establish stellar employer brands. Since then, we have addressed the needs of organizations and their employees with innovations and a contemporary approach to career development and talent mobility. Through Randstad, our parent company, Randstad RiseSmart has expanded its offerings to more than 100 countries and 40 industries. We are now one of the world's leading coaching and career transition firms.

“It's really in that communication piece is where things either succeed or fail, irrespective of all the hard work that happened up until that point.” —  Cole-Nussbaumer-Knaflic   In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson interviews Cole-Nussbaumer-Knaflic Founder & CEO of Storytelling with Data and author of ****best-selling books Storytelling with Data: Let's Practice and Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals.They discuss: The importance of answering “so what” when sharing data How to do a better job of defining the audience for the data story Tips for communicating data after all the analysis is done The ways organizations can support data teams learn how to share insights through storytelling Strategies to get more comfortable with storytelling with data Continued Learning Data Science for Business Leaders This course teaches you how to partner with data professionals to uncover business value, make informed decisions and solve problems. Learn More   Business-Driven Data Analysis This course teaches a proven, repeatable approach that you can leverage across data projects and toolsets to deliver timely data analysis with actionable insights. Learn More   Connect with Cole-Nussbaumer-Knaflic: Storytellingwithdata.com and follow her on LinkedIn or Twitter

“The first piece of advice I give people in the book is when you see a chart, don't assume that it's a picture that you can simply look at and quickly understand” - Alberto Cairo In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson interviews Alberto Cairo author of How Charts Lie, about why charts intentionally or not can mislead people, and how companies can create smarter visualization choices.   They discuss: Why there is never neutral choices in data visualization Ethical considerations in visualization techniques How to assess whether or not mean, median or mode is appropriate Finding a balance between simplicity and complexity in visualization practices Continued Learning Data Science for Business Leaders This course teaches you how to partner with data professionals to uncover business value, make informed decisions and solve problems. Learn More   Business-Driven Data Analysis This course teaches a proven, repeatable approach that you can leverage across data projects and toolsets to deliver timely data analysis with actionable insights. Learn More

What does diversity, equity and inclusion really mean? And what does it mean for the world of STEM and those of us who are immersed in it? We're committed to fostering a diverse community here at TDI and it's important that marginalized voices are heard within our unique platform. With the launch of our newest Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarships, we wanted to take a moment to show off our amazing alumni and lift the voices of those who may not always be prominently seen in the data world. Listen to our special ask me anything podcast as we focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in data with a panel of fantastic alumni who will tell us their unique perspectives and what it means to be part of the diverse revolution in STEM.

“I don't love statistics. I don't love economics. I love what economics and statistics can do for me.” - Charles Wheelan In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson interviews Charles Wheelan, senior lecturer and policy fellow at the Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College and author of several books, including Naked Statistics, Naked Economics and Naked Money.   They discuss: How to approach complicated topics like data and statistics when that's not your area of expertise Examples of organizations using data brilliantly and examples of why data might fail Why persistence and investment are needed for successful quality data collection Why do we have to approach metrics cautiously to prevent distortion Find all of Charles resources at https://charleswheelan.com/   Continued Learning Data Science for Business Leaders This course teaches you how to partner with data professionals to uncover business value, make informed decisions and solve problems. Learn More   Business-Driven Data Analysis This course teaches a proven, repeatable approach that you can leverage across data projects and toolsets to deliver timely data analysis with actionable insights. Learn More

Are you worried about the next step in your data career? Or whether or not you can afford what you want in a data bootcamp?   What if we told you that you can attend The Data Incubator's Fellowship programs for free? Yes, we said free!   We offer full-tuition scholarships to the best and brightest that apply to our programs - and the best news is, this episode is dedicated to telling you how to earn that free spot and attend our world-class bootcamp for exactly zero dollars. (we're not kidding, pay nothing, no strings!) Instructor Robert Schroll will be going over: The best ways to make your application stand out How to prepare for the program before you even apply  The tips and tricks you'll need to earn one of those limited free spots. Apply before the July 29th Deadline: https://www.thedataincubator.com/apply/

As data practitioners and product managers strive to gain actionable insights with the data at hand, it's important for both roles to work collaboratively.   In this webinar hosted by Pragmatic's Director of Community Georgina Donahue, discover: The intersection between data science and product management How data can be better integrated into the product development cycle Decision making models based on insights from data practitioners How to create strong partnerships between data practitioners and product managers Pragmatic Institute's data practice helps organizations leverage data to drive business success through practical, high-impact training. We provide individuals and teams with actionable guidance, hands-on practice and a business-oriented approach so they can solve problems and propel decision making with data. Pragmatic Institute builds expertise within data teams and stronger collaboration with their stakeholders. Explore courses such as Business-Driven Data Analysis and Data Science for Business Leaders.

Ever pondered a random data science fact? Been intrigued by data bootcamps? Wanted to know how to get hired in data science? Or what skills you must have to start? Maybe you're dying to know more about TDI? Wonder no more! All your burning questions about data and TDI are answered in our most recent ask me anything with TDI Founder Michael Li. Have a question that didn't get answered? Pop us an email at admissions@thedataincubator.com and we'll make sure Michael answers it next time. Don't hold back - we want to hear all your serious, wacky or challenging questions that you can't get answered anywhere else.

“It is game-changing technology, and we're excited to bring that to market” - Awais Bajwa   In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson interviews Awais Bajwa founder and CEO of Ophthalytics, an applied artificial intelligence company specializing in Artificial Intelligence-based medical diagnostics.   His company is using AI to help detect diabetic retinopathy, which affects millions of people globally. And nearly 1 million people will experience blindness because of the disease each year. More importantly, there aren't enough retina specialists who can diagnose patients and establish a treatment plan for them.   Using AI, his company is helping primary care physicians and diabetic centers detect the disease.   They discuss: Where Awais sources the data for his company and ensures its accuracy How he finds valuable feedback that informs its development Ways to approach the architectural side of data Continued Learning Data Science for Business Leaders This course teaches you how to partner with data professionals to uncover business value, make informed decisions and solve problems. Learn More   Business-Driven Data Analysis This course teaches a proven, repeatable approach that you can leverage across data projects and toolsets to deliver timely data analysis with actionable insights. Learn More

Do you have unanswered questions about any of the TDI bootcamps and what they might entail? Do you want to hear from real people who have been through our bootcamps and have them spill the details on what they really think? Listen to our most recent alumni AMA (ask me anything) to get all the nitty-gritty! TDI's fantastic alumni have a candid discussion about their time here and chat about everything from the application, to the coding challenge, to how they aced their interviews and what happened once they graduated.

“The whole point of data visualization today is to see a large amount of data rapidly, but I think it also includes interaction. Modern data visualization lets people explore.” — Lee Feinberg   In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson interviews Lee Feinberg, president at DecisionViz, a management consulting company specializing in data literacy and data visualization, also a certified Tableau software services partner.   They discuss: How to alter data visualization approaches based on the audience Why organizations should standardize simple data visualization elements like color Why data doesn't start with a conversation about software What is wrong with using pie charts Continued Learning   Data Science for Business Leaders  This course teaches you how to partner with data professionals to uncover business value, make informed decisions and solve problems. Learn More   Business-Driven Data Analysis  This course teaches a proven, repeatable approach that you can leverage across data projects and toolsets to deliver timely data analysis with actionable insights. Learn More

There is data and there is business. If we think of these in a concentric circles diagram, we often see them exist in their separate circles with some overlap. A data-guided business won't be able to distinguish between data activities and business activities because it is embedded so closely together.   In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson interviews Jason Foster, founder & CEO of Cynozure, host of the Hub & Spoken podcast, and co-author of Data Means Business: Level up your organisation to adapt, evolve and scale in an ever-changing world.   They discuss the process of becoming a data-guided business. And during the conversation, Jason explains the importance of Capturing the data your business is creating Identifying data signals Utilizing the iterative approach to business-driven data analysis Using collaboration as a way to create a data culture Continued Learning Data Science for Business Leaders This course teaches you how to partner with data professionals to uncover business value, make informed decisions and solve problems. Learn More   Business-Driven Data Analysis This course teaches a proven, repeatable approach that you can leverage across data projects and toolsets to deliver timely data analysis with actionable insights. Learn More

“It's a mistake to think that creating information from data is easy.” - Jose Berengueres   In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson interviews Jose Berengueres. He is an associate professor in design thinking, data visualization and computer science at the United Arab Emirates University. He is also the author of Data Viz and Sketch Thinking   They discuss Why you should think beyond excel for creating graphs and charts The importance of the DIKW pyramid (Data, Information, Knowledge and Wisdom) How culture influences communication, specifically visualization decisions The problems with pie charts and color decisions Recommended Resources Tableau on Twitter Email: jose@uaeu.ac.ae to receive a free PDF copy of the book Data Viz. ** Write DATAVIZ in the subject line of the email   Continue Learning Data Science for Business Leaders This course teaches you how to partner with data professionals to uncover business value, make informed decisions and solve problems. Learn More Business-Driven Data Analysis This course teaches a proven, repeatable approach that you can leverage across data projects and toolsets to deliver timely data analysis with actionable insights. Learn More

This episode was recorded during our recent Data Webinar. Have you ever asked yourself any of these questions: What is data science? What does a data scientist even do? What's the best way to launch a data science career? Skip the vague google search and get the answers you're looking for from The Data Incubator's data science instructor and Data Chats guest host Rich Ott, who's been in your shoes before. Through this podcast, Rich discusses: What data science means nowadays and what a data scientist really does Which skills you should know before you start What skills you'll learn in the middle of your journey How to break into the data science field and land an interview What TDI brings to the table in all of this

Once you have data, it's smooth sailing and straightforward decision-making, right? Not so fast. There are many ways data projects go wrong because data work requires human input and can have human errors. In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson interviews Ben Jones, founder & CEO of Data Literacy and author of Avoiding Data Pitfalls: How to Steer Clear of Common Blunders When Working With Data They discuss: The relationship between the human realm and the data-realm Common data blunders and how to spot them How to effectively layer qualitative and quantitative data The gap between data and reality Continued Learning Data Science for Business Leaders This course teaches you how to partner with data professionals to uncover business value, make informed decisions and solve problems. Learn More Business-Driven Data Analysis This course teaches a proven, repeatable approach that you can leverage across data projects and toolsets to deliver timely data analysis with actionable insights. Learn More Other Recommended Resources Thinking Fast and Slow Mind in Motion: How Action Shapes Thought

When AI projects are successful, they provide enormous value through business insights. However, many AI projects fail—but why? In this episode of Data Chats, Chris Richardson interviews Harish Krishnamurthy about the mechanics of successful AI projects.   Harish Krishnamurthy is president at Sciata and has held leadership roles across P&L, sales, marketing and strategy during his tenure at IBM, Insight Enterprises and Spear Education. They discuss: Early mistakes when companies begin data projects The ideal people to include on a data team 5 Reasons why AI Projects Fail Difference between AI projects and other data projects Additional Resources: Harish has created a library of resources to help data professionals begin leveraging AI effectively in their businesses: Making the Leap from AI Investments to Business Results Aligning IT and Business Strategy for Project Success Using AI to Maximize Customer Lifetime Value Transforming AI Insights into Actions Designing AI Models to Extract Insights   Continued Learning Data Science for Business Leaders This course teaches you how to partner with data professionals to uncover business value, make informed decisions and solve problems. Learn More   Business-Driven Data Analysis This course teaches a proven, repeatable approach that you can leverage across data projects and toolsets to deliver timely data analysis with actionable insights. Learn More      

This podcast was captured from a recent TDI webinar. Everyone has it, no one thinks others have it and it seems like no one talks about it. What is it? Imposter syndrome. The Data Incubator is committed to teaching the skills data professionals need to excel in their field, but that doesn't end with just the technical skills. We teach students how to have confidence in all that they do and help them gain the personal tools to combat things like imposter syndrome. Listen in to an all-star group of panelists as they talk about what imposter syndrome means, how to overcome the self-doubt it brings and some key tips in keeping those feelings at bay.

How can product professionals communicate better with data teams? How do data teams make sure they are answering the right questions for product teams?   Most organizations want to be more data-informed and data-driven, but communication is often the first hurdle to success. In this episode of Data Chats, host Chris Richardson interviews Kevin Hanegan, chief learning officer at Qlick, who shares practical strategies for communicating insights to stakeholders at all levels in the organization.Kevin discusses The value of systems thinking How to start small to gain momentum Ways to influence company culture when you're not the CEO Reflecting on bias and flawed mental models Connect with Kevin and find his book Turning Data Into Wisdom at kevinhanegan.com   Kevin is also chair of the advisory board of the Data Literacy Project   Learn how to translate data insights into business strategy in the course: Data Science for Business Leaders.   This course shows you how to partner with data professionals to uncover business value, make informed decisions and solve problems. Enroll Today 

Guest host Michael Li—the founder and president of The Data Incubator—sits down with Aishwarya Srinivasan, an Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Innovation Leader at IBM. Aishwarya works cross-functionally with the product team, data science team and sales to research AI use cases for clients at IBM Data & AI. In her role, she conducts discovery workshops and builds assets to showcase the business value of the technology. Aishwarya holds a postgraduate degree in data science from Columbia University. The two data science experts discuss the importance of building responsible AI systems that aren't harmful to society, citing examples in the media. Aishwarya shares the responsibilities of roles like AI ethicists, UX researchers, data scientists and cybersecurity officers in upholding responsible AI standards. She also highlights the key issues organizations will have to grapple with as AI continues to evolve, and she shares key takeaways for leveraging machine learning and AI to create business value. Find links to resources shared in this episode: Trusted-AI/AIF360 via Github "Adversarial attacks in machine learning: What they are and how to stop them" via VentureBeat "What is Adversarial Machine Learning?" via Towards Data Science

The opportunity is the data; the challenge is the data. Everyone agrees that data is incredibly important, but how do you convert data into a usable resource? During this conversation, the host Chris Richardson, senior instructional designer at Pragmatic Institute, interviews Verl Allen, the CEO of Claravine, who explains the importance of implementing data standards to prevent data quality problems. Successful data projects require an organization-wide buy-in, so Verl describes how to craft teams that can collaborate. He also talks about the future of data, specifically the role of privacy and what businesses can do to be proactive in staying

Get a behind the scenes look at how leading data scientists land their dream roles and how their journey can lead to unexpected but interesting outcomes. Our host and data science guru Michael Li chats with TDI alumni Peter Yu about his data path, what led him to data science and what he learned along the way from being a 2015 graduate to working for McKinsey & Company to landing his dream job at Amazon Web Services (AWS).

(This episode was recorded during our recent data chat webinar) Pragmatic Institute, with The Data Incubator, is excited to announce our “Women in Data” series. Eugenie Packer is the Senior Director of Development Systems and Analytics at Mount Sinai Health Systems and a graduate student in statistics, as well as a Data Advisory Board member at Pragmatic Institute.  She has designed, developed, implemented and overseen fundraising systems, business intelligence data products, and analytics platforms at organizations of all sizes. However, data wasn't always her primary focus: Eugenie brings a background in the arts and a Master of Fine Arts to her work.  In a conversation led by Pragmatic Institute Marketing Manager Erin Tibeau, learn about: Eugenie's experience at the intersection of data, information design and fine art How she's made transitions and overcome obstacles as a woman in STEM What she's learned in her career journey Her advice for others following a non-traditional path who want to make an impact in data

Data Chats host Chris Richardson sits down with Ahmad Namini, a Business Analytics Professor at Brandeis University and data analytics instructor at The Data Incubator who has held leadership roles across the financial investment management industry. The two discuss key data roles and how to create a culture where data professionals can develop business knowledge and gain those "missing" skills that are crucial to success.

Join Sierra King, director of admissions for TDI and Robert Schroll, data scientist and instructor with TDI, as they discuss in depth some amazing tips and tricks for creation of the perfect capstone project and how and what it means to be part of the TDI fellowship. 

Welcome to the Pragmatic Live Data Chat, a podcast by Pragmatic Institute and The Data Incubator where our hosts tackle hot data science topics with data experts, industry leaders, alumni, and instructors. In today's episode, learn how to craft and define a clear narrative around your data to contribute more strategically. Host Chris Richardson is joined by Christopher Laubenthal, a data and visualization consultant for Lockton Companies and information designer.

Join DS30 for our original discussion with Dr. Becky Tucker, senior machine learning scientist with Netflix, as she discusses how Netflix uses ML to predict what you may like to watch next and predict value.