The Data Front

Actionable Insights from Big Data London 2024

Turning data buzzwords into tangible action: Fostering leadership buy-in, building a thriving data culture, and embracing the power of community.

Big Data London 2024 was a whirlwind of information, inspiration, and insightful discussions. While “data culture” and “enablement” were certainly buzzwords echoing throughout the conference halls, the real value for me came from the practical strategies and actionable takeaways shared by the speakers. Here’s how I plan to turn the insights into action:

1. Leadership Engagement is Key: It’s not enough to just talk about data; leaders need to actively champion a data-driven culture. This means aligning data strategy with business objectives, investing in data literacy for themselves and their teams, and fostering a culture of data-driven decision making. I particularly liked the idea of “reverse mentoring,” where data professionals mentor leaders (Turning Business Leaders into Data Advocates), and the emphasis on clear communication and translation of data insights into business value (Join the Movement: Reframing Data Management).

2. Data Culture is a Team Sport: Building a thriving data culture requires a collaborative effort across the entire organization. It’s about empowering individuals with the right skills and tools, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for data quality, and creating a safe space for experimentation and innovation (How Laing O’Rourke Built Capability to Underpin their Data Revolution, Building with Data: Constructing a Thriving Data Culture at Travis Perkins Plc). The emphasis on celebrating successes, learning from failures, and fostering a “no blame” environment resonated strongly with me (0 to 100: Building and Empowering Data Teams for Transformational Growth).

3. Small Steps Lead to Big Transformations: While ambitious data initiatives are exciting, it’s often the small, incremental gains that pave the way for lasting change. Prioritizing use cases based on value, effort, and user impact, and celebrating those “quick wins” can build momentum and demonstrate the tangible benefits of a data-driven approach (Trough of Disillusionment or Slope of Enlightenment?). This also applies to personal development – continuous learning and upskilling, even in small increments, are essential for navigating the ever-evolving data landscape.

4. Community is the Catalyst: Big Data London reinforced the incredible power of community in driving data enablement. Whether it’s through internal networks, data champions, or initiatives like Girls in Data, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose is crucial for success. I was particularly inspired by the Data Summer School initiative (Building a Data Culture at Scale) and the emphasis on creating relevant and engaging learning opportunities for diverse audiences. This has sparked some ideas for future Data + Women London events and how we can better support and empower our community.

5. Don’t Underestimate the Power of “Why”: Throughout the conference, there was a consistent emphasis on understanding the “why” behind data initiatives. Whether it’s articulating the value of data management to stakeholders, setting clear goals for experimentation, or connecting data insights to customer needs, clearly communicating the purpose and impact of data is crucial for driving engagement and buy-in.

Big Data London 2024 was a reminder that data transformation is a journey, not a destination. It requires leadership, collaboration, a focus on value, and a commitment to building a culture where everyone feels empowered to harness the power of data. I’m excited to apply these learnings to my work with data enablement, community building, and visualization, and to continue championing the power of data for positive change.