The Data Product Mindset

How much does your data actually cost you? Most organizations focus on the price of the contract, but the real expense lies in the complexity of integration, workflow disruption, and manual support. In this episode of Data Product Mindset, Anthony Cosgrove sits down with Mike Salk, a seasoned commercial data executive with decades of experience managing data products at scale. Mike shares hard-won insights from his career — ranging from the high-stakes world of stock data at the Associated Press to the modern challenges of cloud-based AI. In this episode, we explore: The Utility Trap: Why the best-built data product in the world is worthless if it doesn't solve a specific "job-to-be-done" for the end user. The Hidden P&L Killer: Why a single customer phone call reporting an error is the most expensive part of your data operation and how to prevent it with built-in quality checks. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Mike explains his unique philosophy of obsessing over the customer's TCO to build long-term trust and "free up wallet" for future growth. Archaic Tech in Modern Markets: Why much of the financial world is still running on mid-1980s FTP standards and the massive opportunity this presents for modernization. The Generative AI Shift: How AI is acting as the "new calculator," enabling non-technical users to build their own solutions and forcing data product owners to "unlock" their assets. Whether you are a product manager, a data engineer, or a business leader, this conversation offers a masterclass in thinking about data not just as a file, but as a deeply integrated business tool. About Our Guest: Mike Salk is a commercial data executive focused on optimizing P&L and managing data products across diverse functions and industries. He has led major data initiatives at organizations like the Associated Press, Moody's, and now Inveniam, focusing on mass customization and customer-centric delivery.

Join us for a conversation with Liz Henderson, "Data Queen" and executive advisor, as we explore what really matters in data products. In episode 11 of the Data Product Mindset, Liz shares her pragmatic perspective on: - How data products emerged from the hype of data mesh - Learning from past technology initiatives when approaching AI - The critical importance of "why" in any data initiative - How businesses can take meaningful ownership of their data assets - The surprising role CFOs can play in data leadership Drawing from her experience advising FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies, Liz offers practical wisdom on avoiding common pitfalls and focusing on business value.

Join us for an insightful discussion between Diego Rodriguez, Product Management Principal at Cotality (known until 2025 as CoreLogic), and Harbr's Anthony Cosgrove as they explore the evolution of data products and solutions in today's market. In this 23-minute episode, they cover: The crucial distinction between data products and solutions Cotality's approach to delivering data — and value — to customers The journey from raw data assets to refined data products Innovation mindset and AI opportunities in data Real-world customer use cases and applications Whether you're a data product manager, business leader, or data professional, you'll gain valuable insights into how industry leaders are thinking about data quality, productization, and the future of data solutions. And if you'd like to learn more about Cotality's innovative use of its Harbr data marketplace, check out the case study. This podcast was produced by Jaspar Casey. Original music by Alistair Welsh.

Beth Lyons, a consultant at Assured and a former product leader at Tableau and KAWA, sits down with Harbr co-founder Anthony Cosgrove to discuss: When (and how) data becomes a product The nuances of data product management and data engineering — and where one ends and the other begins Her unique design process and approach to building data products Link to Tristan Handy article mentioned by Beth about why analytics is not an assembly line. This podcast was produced by Jaspar Casey. Original music by Alistair Welsh.

Why do some data projects fail to deliver on their promise? According to David Hardoon, AI Global Head at Standard Chartered and former CEO of Aboitiz Data Innovation and CDO of UnionBank, the problem lies in not looking at data projects through a business lens. Join David's lively conversation with Harbr co-founder Anthony Cosgrove as they discuss: The required shift in mindset to data and AI being seen as a business product that drives business results The importance of starting with smaller, achievable projects that demonstrate value and gain user adoption Why having a strong data foundation is essential for successful AI implementation This podcast was produced by Jaspar Casey. Original music by Alistair Welsh.

What is the secret to successful data product management? According to Caroline Zimmerman, Data Products & Strategy Director at Profusion, there are four foundational principles that are key to any project. In this entertaining and wide-ranging conversation, join Harbr co-founder Anthony Cosgrove as he learns from Caroline: How do define and align on success criteria Why and how to understand your users and their true context The secret to delivering incremental value as you iterate This podcast was produced by Jaspar Casey. Original music by Alistair Welsh.

How do you balance the effort you put into creating data products and taking them to market? The answer lies in the data product mindset. Join us as Harbr co-founder Anthony Cosgrove hears from data product management experts Chanade Hemming and Nick Zervoudis on a variety of topics, including: The 'murkiness' between data product development and go-to-market (GTM) Product management as storytelling Making your product 'good enough' Zero to one, not zero to one hundred Why small scale gives better results Balancing quick wins with your long-term vision Combining engineering excellence with the product mindset This podcast was produced by Jaspar Casey. Original music by Alistair Welsh.