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Mai AlOwaish
Chief Data & Innovation Officer at the Gulf Bank of Kuwait
Dr. Tom Redman
President of Data Quality Solutions

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Unlocking Data Cultures: Empowering People Through Data Literacy Programs

May 2023

Summary

Data culture is essential for organizational productivity and informed decision-making, yet many find it difficult to define and implement it effectively. This discussion, led by two experts—May Alawesh from Gulf Bank of Kuwait and Tom "The Datadog" Redmond—explores the complexities of establishing a strong data culture. They share their experiences at Gulf Bank, detailing the program's objectives, challenges, and the inventive solutions they employed to create a data-driven environment. A central theme is the emphasis on people over technology, advocating for a basic understanding of data quality and the establishment of an ambassador program to drive cultural change. By engaging staff across all levels, they aim to create a sustainable culture where data literacy and quality are prioritized, ultimately enhancing business performance and customer satisfaction.

Key Takeaways:

A strong data culture is defined by behaviors and attitudes towards data usage in decision-making.
Emphasizing people over technology is essential in building a sustainable data culture.
The ambassador program effectively connects organizational silos, promoting a shared responsibility for data quality.
Training programs must be engaging and customized to specific business roles to ensure adoption.
Cultural change is a long-term effort, requiring continuous reinforcement and senior management support.

Deep Dives

The Essence of Data Culture

Data culture is the collective behavior and mindset of an organization towards data usage. As Tom Redmond explains, a healthy data culture is characterized by the active use o ...
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f data in decision-making, senior leadership involvement, and open data sharing across departments. He notes, "The more people involved, the better," emphasizing that a collaborative approach is vital. Organizations must move beyond merely possessing data to actively using it to inform decisions, creating an environment where employees at all levels engage with data critically and constructively.

People Over Technology

May Alawesh highlights the importance of prioritizing people over technology in developing a data culture. She shares her experiences at Gulf Bank, where the initial focus was on providing people with the right skills and mindset before introducing new tools. As she puts it, "If you can't build your own report, how are you going to do AI?" The mantra of "people before technology" highlights the need for a solid foundation in data literacy and quality, ensuring that employees are prepared to fully utilize technological advancements when they are eventually introduced.

Ambassador Program: A Catalyst for Change

The ambassador program at Gulf Bank was a key strategy in promoting data culture. By appointing data ambassadors across departments, May and her team created a network of advocates who championed data literacy and quality. This initiative not only empowered employees but also filled gaps between data creators and consumers. As May explains, "Once they realized these roles, it was really transformative." The program's success lay in its ability to engage employees, providing them with the tools and motivation to embrace a data-driven mindset.

Training and Continuous Learning

A comprehensive training program was essential to the Gulf Bank's data culture initiative. Customized to various roles, the training covered basics like data quality and progressed to advanced data science skills. May highlights the importance of making training relevant and engaging, saying, "Once they know what's in it for them, it totally changed." The program included competitions, branding, and recognition to maintain interest and commitment. Continuous learning opportunities, such as advanced courses for promising data scientists, ensured that participants could grow and apply their skills effectively.