034 - Beyond the pipeline - Tracking the true impact of Analytics Engineering
𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 – 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠Analytics Engineering has become one of the most in-demand roles for modern data teams in recent years. The role goes far beyond just building clean data pipelines and data models, but how do we actually measure that impact?In today’s episode of the Stacked Data Podcast, we're joined by Ross Helenius, Director of Analytics Engineering & AI Transformation Engineering at Mimecast, to unpack one of the most important (and overlooked) questions in data:👉 What does success look like for Analytics Engineering: beyond the technical?𝚆̲𝚎̲ ̲𝚎̲𝚡̲𝚙̲𝚕̲𝚘̲𝚛̲𝚎̲:̲✅ The true role of Analytics Engineering in modern data teams✅ Why measuring ROI is so hard and how you can do this✅ How to define and track impact beyond pipelines, models, and dashboards✅ Practical KPIs and strategies to showcase business value✅ Pitfalls to avoid when proving the value of your data functionRoss brings deep experience from the intersection of data, engineering, and AI, and offers actionable insights for data leaders and practitioners alike.Whether you're leading a data team, building one, or looking to become a better AE this episode is packed with value.
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033 - Digestible, Defendable, Actionable – How to drive impact with Data
Digestible. Defensible. Actionable.What does it really take to drive impact with data?Too often, analysts are left wondering:“Why didn’t anyone do anything with that insight?”This week on the Stacked Data Podcast, I’m joined by Sam Marks, Director of Analytics & Business Strategy at the Boston Bruins, to explore the gap between finding insights and driving action — and how to close it.Sam shares the Digestible, Defensible, Actionable framework he uses to turn analysis into outcomes, covering:✅ What makes an insight digestible (and where analysts go wrong)✅ How to make your work defensible and credible✅ What separates an interesting insight from an actionable one✅ How to overcome inaction from stakeholders✅ Real-world examples of the framework in actionThis one’s packed with tactical advice for any data professional tired of their work getting stuck in slide decks.
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032 - The key principles behind high-value data teams
Building High-Value Data Teams and the Future of BI with Oliver Hughes, CEO of CountIn this episode of the Stacked Data Podcast, we're joined by Oliver Hughes, CEO of Count — a business intelligence platform reinventing how teams collaborate through a flexible, canvas-style interface.Together, we explore: The key principles that make data teams truly impactful Why operational clarity, effective problem-solving, and reducing time to value are so critical How Count's unique approach is transforming data collaboration beyond traditional dashboards The future of BI and how data teams can stay ahead in a fast-evolving landscapeWhether you're leading a data team, building one, or looking for smarter ways to drive insights, this episode is packed with valuable lessons.Tune in and discover a smarter, more collaborative future for data!
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031 - Building a Modern Data Platform
In this episode of the Stacked Data Podcast, we're joined by Zach from Advancing Analytics to dive deep into the world of modern data platforms.Zach walks us through his career in data and his current role at one of the UK's leading data consultancies. We explore what a modern data platform really is, why companies are investing in them, and what it takes to build one that’s scalable, reliable, and genuinely useful to the business.From core stages and common pitfalls to ensuring business alignment and future-proofing, Zach shares the lessons he's learned delivering platforms for a wide range of clients. We also zoom out to talk about what it’s like working in data consulting—what skills matter, what a typical day looks like, and what makes someone successful at Advancing Analytics.If you're interested in data architecture, consulting, or just want to understand what "modern" really means when it comes to data platforms—this one’s for you.
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030 - Challenges of leading a small data team
In this episode of Stacked Data Podcast, I’m joined by Manou, Head of Data & X at Medik8, to dive into the unique challenges of leading a small data team—and more importantly, how to overcome them.✅ How do you prioritize when resources are tight?✅ How can small data teams drive real business impact?✅ What strategies help in building a strong team culture?Manou shares practical strategies on ensuring data teams stay focused on high-value projects, align with business goals, and maximize their potential—even with limited resources.If you’re leading (or part of) a small data team, this one’s for you.
It has become evident to me that many data teams are grappling with similar challenges. Learning from the experiences of others can be incredibly valuable, which is why I am thrilled to announce the launch of The Stacked Podcast. This podcast is dedicated to sharing stories, pain points, challenges, and solutions within the data industry.I will be conducting interviews with industry leaders, delving into their cutting-edge projects, exploring the hurdles they faced, and how they triumphed over them. My ultimate goal is to provide you with insights and advice that will empower your team and propel your career forward.www.cognifysearch.com
Ireland