The Data Chief

• Why Hyatt is Investing in AI and Self-Service to Transform the Future of Hospitality

  Embark on an insightful exploration of the hospitality sector, powered by data-driven analysis. Cindi Howson and Hyatt's data trailblazer, Ray Boyle (Vice President, Data and Analytics), are charting a course through Hyatt's data innovation. Witness how Hyatt's four-pillar data strategy is revolutionizing everything from employee empowerment to guest personalization and operational efficiency. Discover how Hyatt is democratizing data with self-service tools and pioneering an AI-powered frontier to redefine the very essence of hospitality!Key Moments: Data as an Asset (08:26): Ray emphasizes the importance of shifting the organizational mindset to view data not as a cost center, but as a critical asset. He discusses how data should be cared for, invested in, and stored like any other valuable asset, with the expectation of generating value for the business.  Hyatt's Data Strategy Pillars (13:00): Ray outlines the four key pillars that form the foundation of Hyatt's data strategy. These pillars include cultivating people and building a data-driven culture, personalizing the guest and customer experience in a high-trust environment, operating with excellence by ensuring operational efficiency and information consistency, and growing with intent by integrating new businesses and data flows.  Key Milestones in Hyatt's Data Transformation (16:42): Ray details the significant milestones in Hyatt's data transformation journey. These include clarifying the data strategy, establishing the data and AI operating model, building data governance capabilities, modernizing the data platform and infrastructure, expanding data assets, and releasing new services like personalization and forecasting.  Data Democratization and Data Fluency (23:00): Ray explains Hyatt's strong emphasis on self-service analytics to empower users across the organization. He discusses the importance of data accessibility, trustworthiness, and usability, as well as the potential of generative AI to further democratize data access and insights.  This includes building a data community to facilitate knowledge sharing and learning, as well as providing tooling and guidance to business organizations to effectively roll out analytics within their domains.  AI's Impact and Collaboration (31:35): Ray explores the transformative impact of AI on businesses and its role in fostering tighter collaboration between business and technology teams. He discusses how AI is driving the need for reimagined workflows and how it's changing the way data is used and delivered across the organization.Key Quotes:“ThoughtSpot has been a key partner of ours on that journey. We just roll the data into the cloud, and we're working to publish our assets, sales, finance, loyalty, revenue, search, and marketing into that infrastructure so that there's just a growing base of information that everybody can use in the self-service context.” - Raymond Boyle"Velocity is something you build over time. It's how I think about the operating model around data, ensuring everyone plays their role and develops the necessary skills. To me, velocity increases as you establish the operating model and you have the business, technology, and data organizations, along with governance and security, all participating effectively. - Raymond Boyle"When you think about the business outcomes and how people are beginning to consider AI's potential in that transformation, I believe AI is becoming a more significant factor every quarter." - Raymond BoyleMentionsThe Four V’s of Big Data, Including VelocityDalva, By Jim HarrisonMinnesota Timberwolves’ SuccessGuest Bio Ray Boyle (current Vice President, Data and Analytics at Hyatt) has enjoyed a distinguished career spanning several industries and roles across consulting, software, analytics, and data leadership. His notable roles include leading strategic planning, research, and analytics for Walmart’s Sam’s Club division; serving as Vice President of Walmart Global Customer Insights and Analytics; Vice President of Walmart’s Global Data and Analytics Platform; Vice President leading FICO’s global retail and CPG practice; and Executive Vice President heading IRI’s Global Shopper Analytics and Services team.Since 2019, Ray has served as Vice President, Data and Analytics at Hyatt. Aligned with Hyatt’s purpose — to care for people so they can be their best — his ambition is to elevate and scale that care through data-driven decisions and automation that benefit guests, customers, owners, and colleagues.Guest Bio Ray Boyle (current Vice President, Data and Analytics at Hyatt) has enjoyed a distinguished career spanning several industries and roles across consulting, software, analytics, and data leadership. His notable roles include leading strategic planning, research, and analytics for Walmart’s Sam’s Club division; serving as Vice President of Walmart Global Customer Insights and Analytics; Vice President of Walmart’s Global Data and Analytics Platform; Vice President leading FICO’s global retail and CPG practice; and Executive Vice President heading IRI’s Global Shopper Analytics and Services team.Since 2019, Ray has served as Vice President, Data and Analytics at Hyatt. Aligned with Hyatt’s purpose — to care for people so they can be their best — his ambition is to elevate and scale that care through data-driven decisions and automation that benefit guests, customers, owners, and colleagues. Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

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• How Macquarie Bank Uses AI and Data to Enhance Customer Experience

  Prepare to see banking in a new light! Cindi Howson and Macquarie Bank's data trailblazer, Ashwin Sinha (Chief Data Officer), go deep into the AI revolution transforming financial services. Discover how one of Australia's most dynamic financial institutions, Macquarie Bank, is wielding the disruptive force of generative AI, not just for efficiency, but to combat high-stakes threats like fraud. Plus, discover the remarkable evolution of the data analyst from report-generator to AI-powered strategic powerhouse!Key Moments: Drivers of Digital Transformation (04:36): Ashwin outlines the key factors driving a digital transformation and early cloud adoption, emphasizing customer obsession, improving turnaround times, and ensuring technology reliability.  Leveraging Dual Cloud Providers (12:25): Ashwin discusses Macquarie Bank's use of AWS for infrastructure and core applications and Google Cloud (GCP) for its digital and data stack, including AI capabilities.  The Power of Gen AI in Analytics (14:16): Ashwin explores the role of generative AI in enhancing productivity for data analysts, particularly through prompt engineering and tools like ThoughtSpot.  Empowering Analysts Through Evolution (16:56): Ashwin details Macquarie Bank's successful strategy for evolving the data analyst role by proactively introducing self-service analytics, emphasizing upskilling, and enabling analysts to concentrate on higher-impact activitiesCombating Data Risk and Fraud Prevention (26:04): Ashwin discusses the increasing threat of scams and fraud and details Macquarie's two-pronged approach: educating customers and employing AI and machine learning to detect and prevent fraudulent activities.  Importance of Prompt Engineering (32:57): Ashwin stresses the significance of prompt engineering as a general-purpose technology that can drive productivity across various business functions, not just within technical roles.  Key Quotes:"There is always a big backlog in most organizations, which you cannot get done just because you do not have enough capacity. You cannot prioritize them. You cannot execute fast enough. And so, what prompt engineering and GenAI broadly does is take away the low-value tasks that you could just use AI and machine learning to do for you." - Ashwin Sinha"Prompt engineering—even though it has 'engineering' in it— I see that as a general-purpose technology. It's a bit like we've just got access to a super powerful search with a lot more analytical and reasoning capability. That's how I think of the usage of any of the foundational or large language models for, you know, the general population who are not in engineering or technical roles. Whether they're in business roles, sales and distribution, finance, marketing, or any of those functions, the use of prompt engineering just enables the next level of productivity for them. - Ashwin SinhaMentionsPrompt Engineering in the Age of AIAI Agent GovernanceThoughtSpot Spotter: Your AI AnalystScuba Diving and the History of the Liberty Shipwreck in BaliThe Importance of Child Education in IndiaGuest Bio Ashwin Sinha is the Chief Data Officer and Executive Director at Macquarie Bank, where he oversees the strategy and execution of Data and AI. Before joining Macquarie in 2019, Ashwin was a Partner at KPMG, leading the Data business. He has also held various global software engineering, start-up, and consulting roles over the past 22 years, focusing on data and digital transformations. Outside work, Ashwin is passionate about child education and macroeconomics Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

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• How SeaWorld Uses Data to Create Unforgettable Guest and Marine Life Experiences

  Ever wondered how data powers the magic behind your favorite theme park experiences? Join Cindi Howson and Gavin Hupp, VP of Technology, Enterprise Architecture, Data and Martech, E-commerce and Analytics at United Parks and Resorts, as they explore the complex data ecosystem of a theme park, from e-commerce and guest experience to AI's role in shaping the future of entertainment.Key Moments: Theme Park Business Model (03:12): Theme parks are described as a mix of multiple businesses, including e-commerce for ticket sales, animal experiences, entertainment venues, culinary and restaurant services, and retail operations. This combination creates a complex ecosystem, similar to city planning, within a single physical location.  Data Ecosystem Challenges (03:37): Gavin highlights the challenge of managing data within theme parks due to the variety of business areas. Each area generates unique data, leading to disparate and sometimes siloed data sets across different business applications.  AI as an Innovation Driver (11:24): AI is viewed as a key driver of innovation within the theme park industry, capable of creating new products and services, such as augmented reality experiences, and enhancing personalization at scale.  AI for Process Optimization (11:24): Beyond guest-facing innovation, AI is also seen as a tool to optimize business processes, streamline operations, reduce costs, and identify opportunities for revenue growth through personalization and increased efficiency.  Data-Driven Decision-Making (17:30): United Parks and Resorts emphasizes the importance of guest feedback, collected through surveys and other means, and uses it to inform decision-making and guide the company's overall strategy.  Agile Development Approach (28:50): Gavin explains how the company employs agile development principles, using "skateboards" as a metaphor for quickly delivering initial solutions and value while simultaneously iterating and building more comprehensive and scalable solutions ("scooters" and "factories").Key Quotes:"To become more data-driven, you have to break down silos. This requires making people aware of the silos, the challenges they create, and framing it as a data quality discussion. Getting business leaders to care about data quality isn't easy; they want end results and impact." - Gavin Hupp"There's product and service innovation, and business process innovation, where AI optimizes and streamlines operations, decreasing costs and increasing revenue through personalization." - Gavin Hupp“There's an agile concept, a principle where, at the end of the day, you need to get movement, you need to get going. And so you can use a skateboard to go from point A to point B.” - Gavin HuppMentionsGavin Hupp, Forbes ArticlePenguin Trek: Seaworld Roller CoasterConway’s Law4 Values of Agile DevelopmentScrumDiet & Eating Habits of Killer WhalesGuest Bio Gavin Hupp is currently the VP of Technology: Enterprise Architecture & Data, Martech, e-Commerce & Analytics at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment (United Parks & Resorts). In addition, he is also a member of the Quartz CIO & CISO Advisory Board. Gavin’s expertise is helping shape the agenda to ensure it’s packed with actionable strategies and forward-thinking insights. Gavin Hupp has a strong background in technology, data, and marketing, with experience in various leadership roles in companies such as PetSmart, Denny's, and Transdev North America. Gavin has a strong educational background, with degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and Western International University. Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

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• How SharkNinja Drives Business Value: The Power of Data for All

  How does SharkNinja use data to fuel its rapid growth and product innovation? Join Cindi Howson and Elpida Ormanidou, VP of Analytics and Insights at SharkNinja, as they dissect SharkNinja's data-driven culture, Elpida's journey in the data space across CPG and retail, and her insights on AI in the workplace. Key Moments: Data-Driven Culture (03:36): SharkNinja strongly emphasizes data in its culture, utilizing it to inform decision-making processes. The company is committed to using customer feedback gathered through data to drive the development and refinement of its product offerings.  CEO's Data Focus for Customer-centric Innovation (05:43): SharkNinja's CEO demonstrates a notable dedication to data by actively engaging with it. This involvement includes closely reviewing customer feedback and using data insights to guide product discussions and challenge teams to improve.  Data Ethics and Privacy (09:17): SharkNinja places a high priority on data ethics and privacy, emphasizing the importance of earning customer trust. Elpida shares how the company is committed to using customer data responsibly and has implemented strong controls to protect privacy.  AI and the Future of Work (20:31): Elpida discusses the transformative impact of AI on the future of work, characterizing it as a revolution. She emphasizes the importance of proactively addressing the changes by reskilling and upskilling the workforce to adapt to new roles and technologies.  Key Quotes:"Value gets created at the time of consumption. We create value for the business when data gets consumed, not when it gets connected, not when it gets processed, not when it gets synthesized, only when it's being used to drive decisions that create value for the company." - Elpida Ormanidou"Think of a company as a chain, where everything is interlinked to level up. Today's struggle is that while we have good AI applications, it's an art to connect them to create the next level of experience, particularly for customers. What works in a lab doesn't work the same in real life; there are so many different factors.” -Elpida Ormanidou"Where others have fear, I have hope and optimism that the more we automate and we remove mundane tasks from our day-to-day life or even our work life, the more we would be able to use our beautiful brains to reimagine and create new things that as a race will drive us forward for another 3,000 years." -Elpida OrmanidouMentions:SharkNinja Coolar: FrostVault TechnologySharkNinja HydrovacSurat: 100 Resilient Cities of the WorldMadam Curie: A Biography, By Eve CurieGuest Bio Elpida Ormanidou Elpida Ormanidou is the Vice President of Analytics & Insights at SharkNinja. She has extensive experience in data and analytics, having worked at companies like Walmart and Starbucks. At SharkNinja, she leads the data strategy and is passionate about fostering a data-driven culture. Elpida is a strong advocate for ethical data practices and responsible AI implementation. She is a recognized voice in the data and analytics community, frequently speaking at industry events and mentoring young professionals. Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

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• Data-Driven Personalization: Sephora's Winning Strategy

  How is Sephora using data to create personalized experiences that customers love? Join Cindi Howson and Manbir Paul, VP of Engineering, Data Insights & MarTech at Sephora, as they explore the role of data and AI in understanding customer needs, predicting preferences, and delivering impactful moments. Key Moments: Micro-Moments that Matter (3:30): Sephora leverages data to create impactful moments for customers, like sending a timely reminder to a traveler about their moisturizer.Modern Data & AI Stack (5:00): Manbir discusses Sephora’s best-of-breed data and AI stack, spanning cloud data platform, BI solution, cataloging, and machine learning democratization.The Power of the Semantic Layer (7:30): The semantic layer is crucial for enabling meaningful data discovery and governance. Sephora's investment in ThoughtSpot was driven by the need to enhance their semantic layer and drive intelligence in their BI space.Collaborative Data Governance (10:00): Sephora fosters a collaborative approach to data governance, with data stewards playing a key role. They identify individuals who are subject matter experts in their areas and are passionate about data to help drive governance and enrichment.Unlearning and Relearning (16:30): The challenge of keeping up with the evolving data landscape requires unlearning old practices and embracing new ones. Manbir highlights the importance of giving individuals the opportunity to look at the changing landscape from a new lens and empowering them to drive transformation.The Importance of Continuous Learning (20:30): Manbir acknowledges the challenge of balancing learning with delivering results, but stresses the importance of continuous learning in a rapidly evolving field. She notes that individuals are often willing to go above and beyond if there is a learning opportunity.Building High-Performing Teams (22:30): Manbir discusses the nuances of creating a high-performing, nimble team that can adapt to change and drive innovation. He mentions the importance of understanding the nuances that are important in transforming a team into a high-performing one.Key Quotes:"The intimate details, we always talk about getting closer to our clients. We want to experience our clients. I feel the intimate details that data gives you, getting your clients so close to you, is a very different lens to look at data from. It is a gift of feedback that the clients give to you or your consumers give to you in terms of data.”  - Manbir Paul"Democratizing these technologies is key to our tech stack. We have a multi-cloud strategy to capture the best tools. Tools, plus our BI investment, help us. ThoughtSpot was chosen for meaningful data insights, reaching clients where they interact with data and enhancing our BI intelligence." - Manbir Paul"We want to make sure that there are tools that help us enable scaled implementations in driving personalization, and that's where our Databricks platform enables us doing that."  - Manbir PaulMentionsFarmacy: Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide MoisturizerThe Geek Way by Andrew McAfeeGuest Bio Manbir PaulManbir Paul is VP of Engineering, Data Insights & MarTech at Sephora. Prior to this, he served as global head of ML engineering at Levi Strauss & Co.As a proactive, results-driven technology leader specializing in the retail industry, Manbir's expertise lies not just in understanding the industry's complexities, but also in harnessing the transformative power of Data and AI. With a passion deeply rooted in technological innovation, his most recent endeavors have involved leading in the realms of Data and AI to develop, scale, and implement solutions that amplify business growth Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

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