LEAD WITH DATA Podcast

Moneyball for Golf: How a Lean Team Can Punch Above Its WeightLead with Data, with Jarred, Head of Data and Intelligence at Golf AustraliaMost data leaders inherit a mandate from the board, a budget and teams they control. Jarred has none of that in the traditional sense. He runs the data function for a national sporting body, which means the data he works with is created by clubs and third parties he doesn't control, the team is lean and the budget is nowhere near enterprise scale. He still built one of the most strategically mature data capabilities in Australian sport.This one is for you whether you lead a data function on tight constraints, or you just want to know how data is quietly reshaping the game.What we get into:Why owning your data end to end matters more than the shiny front end, and why the most important work happened under the hoodMigrating 25 years of legacy data with almost no documentation and what that actually takesHow Golf Australia moved from subjective, intuition led athlete decisions to models built on a decade of historical outcomesRunning a serious data capability with a lean teamThe half a million handicaps behind one of the most personal datasets in the countryIf you have ever argued about your handicap, that is Jarred's data.Find Jarred on LinkedIn, where he is happy to chat about any of this.

In this episode, I am joined by Sridhar Deenadayalan, a seasoned AI and cloud strategist with deep expertise in helping organisations navigate digital transformation through practical, scalable adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning. We unpack the journey of AI adoption what it really takes to get started, and where it’s all heading. We explore the practical steps organisations need to take, from building strong data foundations to navigating the shifting roles brought on by AI. Along the way, we bust a few myths and share insights on how to make AI work in the real world. Whether you're just starting out or already deep in the data, this one's worth a listen.

On the show today, I’m joined by Kavitha Dhanraj, a highly respected data executive who has led global teams and delivered large-scale outcomes for some of Australia’s most recognised organisations.Kavi expertise spans across driving data strategies, developing innovative data products and building high performing data teams.She is passionate about solving complex problems, optimising operations at scale, and navigating the ever-evolving tech landscape. Kavi is also a strong advocate for women in data and tech and championing greater diversity and inclusion across the industry.In this episode, we explore the challenges of aligning data strategies with business objectives, particularly the gap that often exists between executive expectations and ground-level realities. Kavi shares insights from her own career, touching on the importance of shared understanding, cross-functional collaboration, and taking a truly holistic approach to data strategy.Key themes we cover include:• Aligning data strategy with business goals• Common challenges in data management• The evolving role of AI and technology• Building strong cross-functional partnerships• Driving cultural and foundational change

In this week’s episode, Rina Gami and Peter Jones join to unpack the pervasive hype surrounding AI and reflect on its far-reaching implications for businesses and society. The conversation explores the challenges organisations face in adopting AI, the importance of building trust in emerging technologies, and the critical need for responsible AI governance.Peter shares lessons from his entrepreneurial journey, offering a grounded perspective on both the exciting innovations and the potential risks tied to AI. Rina and Peter also touch on the growing conversation around sovereign AI and why it’s essential to stay focused and pragmatic amidst rapid technological change. This episode offers actionable insights for leaders and professionals looking to adopt AI thoughtfully and drive responsible innovation in the age of automation.

In this episode, Rina Gami interviews Ain Beruldsen, who transitioned from corosion engineering to data analytics. They discuss the importance of storytelling in data, the shift from reactive to proactive problem-solving, and the need for collaboration in building a data-driven culture. Ain shares insights on establishing a Data Centre of Excellence and navigating business challenges with data. The conversation highlights the future trends in the utilities sector and the importance of continuous improvement and learning in data roles.

In this week’s episode, Kaushik Lakshman, a seasoned data science leader with a wealth of experience driving innovation through data shares his career journey and offers a look into the evolving role of data science in today’s business landscape. The conversation explores the importance of domain expertise, the challenge of bridging the gap between technical and commercial teams, and what it takes to lead high-performing data teams. This episode offers practical insights for everyone including data science leaders aiming to build impactful, future-ready data science teams.

Joining me in this week’s episode is Luke Russell, a data analytics leader who transitioned from electrical engineering to the world of data. In this episode, Luke shares his journey and highlights the critical role of data teams in driving business value beyond just generating reports.Our conversation explores the challenges data teams face in proving their impact, the shift from order-taking to proactive problem-solving, and the importance of deeply understanding business needs. Luke also discusses the significance of productionising analytics and fostering a culture of innovation within data teams. This episode provides valuable insights for leaders looking to build data teams that are both strategic and impactful.00:00 Introduction to Data Team Value08:21 Understanding Data Team Challenges14:48 Shifting from Order-Taking to Problem-Solving19:55 Evaluating Dashboard Efficiency20:54 Becoming Indispensable in Data Teams22:02 Shifting Mindsets: From Development to Outcomes23:49 Cultivating Inquisitive Problem Solvers25:58 Creating a Culture of Innovation26:59 The Importance of Language in Data Communication29:49 Productionising Analytics and Enabling Autonomy35:37 Key Takeaways for Data Leaders

Joining me in this weeks episode is Shehan, a seasoned data leader with extensive experience in guiding organisations through data-driven transformations. In this episode, Shehan discusses the critical importance of proving the value of data initiatives within organizations. He reflects on his career journey in data leadership, sharing insights on how to demonstrate both tangible and perceived value to secure executive buy-in.Our conversation dives into the challenges of overcoming resistance from executives, the significance of building a strong data team brand, and the necessity of diverse skill sets within data teams. Shehan also highlights the role of effective storytelling, managing expectations, and the importance of continuous communication in navigating challenges and failures. This episode offers valuable advice for data leaders seeking to enhance their influence and effectiveness in their organisations.00:00 Proving the Value of Data Initiatives01:26 Shihan's Career Journey in Data Leadership04:37 Challenges in Demonstrating Data Value07:32 Overcoming Executive Resistance to Data Initiatives10:53 Building Team Brand and Skills13:08 The Importance of Team Structure17:48 Identifying and Nurturing Talent21:08 Creating Perceived Value from Tangible Outcomes24:54 The Role of Storytelling in Data29:11 Building Collaboration Across Teams32:43 Managing Expectations for Data Projects35:21 Embracing Failure and Learning38:43 Advice for Data Leaders Seeking Buy-In