The Rock Bottom Data Feed

In our first series, Doug Laney introduced us to Datanomics. He is also the author of Data Juice. In this episode he returns to Rock Bottom to go into more detail about the approaches and metrics companies can use to truly treat data as an asset. To do that, we need to introduce data into the C-Suite. Most companies approach Data Governance through the CIO or CDO, and that has been moderately successful. It's good to have CEO interest, but too often that happens when data quality becomes so bad the CEO notices. Not the way you want that to. happen. Perhaps the CFO is a good option. Let's see. We are also excited to announce our partnership with DATAVERSITY. Use discount code ROCK15 to get 15% off your first purchase at DATAVERSITY: DATAVERSITY Training Center Live Classes Applied Data Governance Certification | DATAVERSITY Chapters: 00:00 – Open & Introduction; 04:31 – Monologue; 07:28 – Doug Laney; 36:12 – Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 38:19 – Audio Data Rorschach Test (with a special guest!!); 40:46 – Recap & Close Featured Image by freeimageslive.co.uk - gratuit

Welcome back for this, the third series of the Rock Bottom Data Feed. Previously, John and Mark did a four-part radio play following Nick Guy, Data Detective, as he investigated the death of Consolidated International and the role that Jen AI may have played in its demise. The reception from our listeners was very enthusiastic, so in this special episode we present the full, uninterrupted radio play. We'd again like to thank The Rock Bottom Players who helped with the Nick Guy series and other sketches: Chris Ladley, Amy Ladley, Pamela Thomas, Evan Goldt, Kasey Griffin, Karen Schowalter Cooper, and Johnathan Whited. Featured Image: noir city, by Emiliano Grusovin, Flickr.com, some rights reserved. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction; 08:21 – Part 1: Jennifer Am I; 16:04 – Part 2: Dead in the Red; 24:26 – Part 3: A Profile in Death; 27:33 – Part 4: Neglect and Death; 28:21 – Close

The Rock Bottom Data Feed gang is back for another series, and for much of this series we will be focused on AI. Just like the internet and Six Sigma, we think it's here to stay. So, what are its ramifications for the data area? How can we make AI work for us, not against us? How can we get something useful from it? In this episode we welcome Kelle O'Neal and Gregg Loos from First San Francisco Partners. FSFP is a consultancy that helps organizations make their information actionable. They are also on the forefront of using AI to accelerate their own business processes, and share some of what they've learned through the process We are also excited to announce our partnership with DATAVERSITY. Use discount code ROCK15 to get 15% off your first purchase at DATAVERSITY: DATAVERSITY Training Center Live Classes Applied Data Governance Certification | DATAVERSITY Chapters: 00:00 – Open & Introduction; 05:10 – Monologue; 07:33 – Kelle O'Neal & Gregg Loos; 45:17 – Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 47:55 – Audio Data Rorschach Test; 50:40 – Recap & Close Featured Image: "Keynote Ballroom" (2008) by TheDeepFryedBoot at Flickr.com. Some rights reserved.

In this very special twentieth episode of the Rock Bottom Data Feed, John Ladley and Mark Cooper welcome John Ladley and Mark Cooper to the show. Two blokes chatting at the kitchen table about data as anthropology and AI. Isn't that what everybody talks about at the kitchen table? You'll also hear your hosts answering the two questions asked of every Rock Bottom Data Feed guest and playing the famous game show. We'd also like to take this opportunity to thank The Rock Bottom Players who helped with the Nick Guy series and other sketches: Chris Ladley, Amy Ladley, Pamela Thomas, Evan Goldt, Kasey Griffin, Karen Schowalter Cooper, and Johnathan Whited. Chapters: 00:00 – Two Blokes; 08:21 – Data as Anthropology; 16:04 – AI in Information Management; 24:26 – Thank Yous; 27:33 – Hubris Data Pros; 28:21 – Two Questions; 35:06 – Audio Data Rorschach Test; 39:01 – Close

We are excited to welcome Nicola Askham to Rock Bottom. She is an award-winning Data Governance expert, coach, consultant, and trainer. Her website has a wealth of useful information, including a list of the 10 biggest mistakes companies make when implementing data governance. How many look familiar to you? In this episode, Nicola shares best practices and stories from the front lines of Data Governance. In the conclusion of our premiere Nick Guy Mysteries series, Nick makes an important discovery about the untimely demise of Consolidated Dynamics. Will Jennifer AI take the fall? Or is she, too, a victim of systemic failure? Tune in and find out. Chapters: 00:00 – Open & Introduction; 05:50 – Monologue; 08:23 – Nicola Askham; 28:46 – Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 30:53 – Audio Data Rorschach Test; 32:48 – Recap & Close

Principles and policies live at the intersection of Data Governance and Data Ethics. It's a place many companies could use some help. Providing that help in this episode of the Rock Bottom Data Feed is Malcolm Chisholm, President of Data Millennium, and author of Successful and Sustainable Data Policies. He introduces us to the Data Policy Lifecycle, required not only for Data Policies (as its name suggests) but also as a foundation for sustainable Data Governance. And Nick Guy finds himself entangled deeper and deeper in a web of corporate homicide. Will he be able to solve this mystery before an innocent party is captured...or worse!?! Chapters: 00:00 – Open & Introduction; 05:34 – Monologue; 08:13 – Malcolm Chisholm; 29:38 – Dispatches from Rock Bottom (links to the ChatGPT "travelogue" and the Stanford report on generative AI bias); 31:45 – Audio Data Rorschach Test; 34:13 – Recap & Close

In this episode, we return to the subject of Data Ethics. The title may have given it away. We are pleased to welcome to Rock Bottom Katrina Ingram, Founder and CEO of Ethically Aligned AI, and author of the Dataversity column Ask a Data Ethicist. We met Katrina at DGIQ in Washington, DC. She joins us here to share practical advice about making AI responsible, safe, and ethical. We also continue the adventures of Nick Guy, Data Detective, as he arrives at the old warehouse by the waterfront. He encounters a horrific crime scene, as well as a special guest Rock Bottom Player. Can you guess who it is? Chapters: 00:00 – Open & Introduction; 05:56 – Monologue; 08:40 – Katrina Ingram; 25:43 – Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 27:42 – Audio Data Rorschach Test; 29:42 – Recap & Close

This week we introduce Nick Guy, Data Detective. A knock at the door. A new client. And a mystery that will take us through the next several episodes. Maybe Nick wishes he had grabbed dinner earlier. Or maybe not. Joining John and Mark is Irene Dirks, one of the passers-by that sat down and actually talked with us at DGIQ. She has some very creative and engaging ideas for using Lego sets to get across information management concepts. Sounds like a lot of fun. Next time we find ourselves in Utrecht we'll have to drop in on one of her workshops. Chapters: 00:00 – Open & Introduction; 04:10 – Monologue; 06:54 – Irene Dirks; 17:35 – Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 19:43 – Audio Data Rorschach Test; 21:47 – Recap & Close Image Credit: Joe Shlabotnik, "Legos," 2010. Flickr.com. Some rights reserved.

Will Todd Corporate and Senator Ostik come to blows or will they find common ground? Find out as the Secretary of Data confirmation hearing wraps up. This episode also concludes our three-part Data Governance arc. John and Mark welcome Bob Seiner, speaker, advisor, and prolific writer on the topic of Data Governance, including the recently published book Non-Invasive Data Governance Unleashed: Empowering People to Govern Data and AI. Maybe you're already doing more Data Governance than you think. Or maybe you're not. Chapters: 00:00 – Open & Introduction; 03:39 – Monologue; 06:47 – Bob Seiner; 32:12 – Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 34:19 – Audio Rorschach Test; 37:55 – Recap & Close

A recent CDO Magazine article begins, "Data governance, as it is currently practiced, is failing. Despite being positioned as essential for data quality, regulatory compliance, and strategic decision-making, data governance often falls short." In this episode we continue our exploration of how and why Data Governance isn't working out so well for most companies. We'll also check in on Todd Corporate as his confirmation hearing for Secretary of Data continues. John and Mark are joined by Laura Madsen, author of Disrupting Data Governance. The idiot light is flashing. Do you see it? Does leadership know what to do about it? Do you? Chapters: 00:00 – Open & Introduction; 05:47 – Monologue; 08:31 – Laura Madsen; 25:58 – Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 28:04 – Audio Rorschach Test; 29:27 – Recap & Close

Would anybody disagree that Data Governance isn't working out the way we had all hoped? Yes, we've seen successes, but for the most part it's been like trying to throw an angel food cake under water. As long as you're pushing there's movement. As soon as you stop everything falls away. This episode is the first in a three part series that takes a hard look at Data Governance. We are honored to welcome Gwen Thomas, one of the pioneers of the field to join us at Rock Bottom. Returning this season are the Rock Bottom Players: Evan Goldt, Kasey Griffin, Johnathan Whited, Pam Ladley, and Karen Cooper. Chapters: 00:00 - Open & Introduction; 06:21 - Monologue; 09:47 - Gwen Thomas; 30:30 - Dispatches; 32:48 - Recap & Close

Recently, John and Mark brought the Rock Bottom Data Feed to the Data Governance & Information Quality (DGIQ) conference in Washington, DC. We let out our nets to see what we could catch, so to speak. Well, the nets came back full. So many great conversations, observations, and insights. Some folks sat down and chatted for a long time. We'll be hearing from a couple of them in upcoming episodes. Others just dropped by for just a few minutes. We've accumulated those bits of conversation into this special episode. Chapters 00:00 - Open & Introduction; 01:05 - Anne-Marie Smith; 02:00 - Mystery Guest; 04:24 - Katrina Ingram; 05:53 - Kristen; 08:46 - Mathias Vercauteren; 13:44 - Nicole Bills; 14:54 - Tom; 18:47 - Neena Sathi; 20:51 - Vince Sathi; 23:59 - Trisha Posser; 26:13 - Tom Redman; 27:06 - Irene Dirks; 28:17 - Ali; 30:07 - Recap & Close

Sometimes when recording interviews we ended up with more material than we could use. Certainly not because it wasn't interesting, but rather because we chatted longer than was practical to include or because we veered into topics beyond the scope of the particular episode. Never ones to waste anything, we have accumulated those interesting bits into an episode all their own. Perhaps hearing some of our past guests again will inspire you to go back and listen to their full episodes! Chapters 00:00 - Open & Introduction; 01:54 - Stacey Clark; 04:10 - Wendy Lawhead; 07:13 - Tom Redman; 08:50 - Randy Bean; 16:50 - Bill Tanenbaum; 25:21 - Audio Data Rorshach Test; 29:57 - Recap & Close

Data is a new type of business asset from a legal perspective. The traditional legal methodologies don't fit. You have confidentiality obligations, licensing and usage considerations, and data quality requirements, especially when it comes to AI. A legal strategy for data needs to be top of mind for leadership. Before it's too late. In this episode we talk with William Tanenbaum, a pioneer in the area of data and the law. Chapters 00:00 – Open & Introduction; 03:31 – Monologue; 06:15 – William Tanenbaum; 25:04 – Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 27:10 – Audio Rorschach Test; 29:10 – Recap & Close Featured Image Credit: wp paarz, "Court Gavel - Judge's Gavel - Courtroom," 2016. flickr.com. Some rights reserved.

When you look in the dictionary between "hard place" and "rock" you will find "analytics management." Data Consumers demand high-quality data. Data Producers say it's good enough to run the business so it's good enough for you. Management wants peace and quiet. When everything is running smoothly you're invisible. When it's not... Our guest is Deep Sogani, Vice President and Chief of Enterprise Data at Personify Health. He has lived analytics management at all levels at several companies, bringing a breadth and depth of experience here to Rock Bottom. Chapters: 00:00 – Open & Introduction;  03:55 – Monologue;  06:38 – Deep Sogani;  25:32 – Dispatches from Rock Bottom;  27:38 – Audio Data Rorschach Test;  29:06 – Recap & Close Featured Image Credit: Elyse Horvath, "Now serving 66," 2015. flickr.com. Some rights reserved.

Everyone says that data has value, but what does that mean? How do you measure that value? This week we talk a little less about people and a little more about business and monetization. Our guest is Doug Laney, author of the bestselling book, Infonomics. Chapters 00:00 – Open & Introduction; 03:10 – Monologue; 06:03 – Doug Laney; 26:02 – Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 28:08 – Audio Rorschach Test; 30:35 – Recap & Close

According to some research, about half of large organizations are“Data Driven,” meaning they are "driving business innovation with data." According to other research, that number is about half of that. But wait, isn’t that what data is for in the first place? Not good enough! So in this episode, we call BS on Data Driven. Our guest is Randy Bean, bestselling author of Fail Fast, Learn Faster: Lessons in Data-Driven Leadership in an Age of Disruption, Big Data, and AI, and a regular contributor to Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and MIT Sloan Management Review on Data & AI leadership. Chapters: 00:00 – Open & Introduction; 06:39 – Monologue; 09:22 – Randy Bean; 26:13 – Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 28:19 – Audio Rorschach Test; 29:55 – Recap & Close Other Resources: Surveys Cited in Dispatches: ThoughtSpot, Software Development Times, Wavestone (New Vantage Partners)

Data Debt is both a measure and a message. It helps businesses grasp how important data can be, because when all else has failed, many organizations have examined Data Debt and discovered a significant aspect of data resource management. To help explain Data Debt we welcome Barbara Forth. Chapters 00:00 - Open & Introduction; 03:48 - Monologue; 07:04 - Barbara Forth; 22:10 - Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 24:18 - Audio Rorschach Test; 26:45 - Recap & Close

For so many of us, Data Quality is like a healthy diet and daily exercise. You want the benefits, but you don’t want to do what it takes to get them. Interrogating the data is the easy part. Sustaining a Data Quality program requires discipline and culture. It’s what we’ve been saying all along. It’s people. And one of those people is Tom Redman, whom we are excited to welcome to Rock Bottom. Chapters 00:00 - Open & Introduction; 03:34 - Monologue; 06:18 - Tom Redman; 26:06 - Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 28:12 - Audio Rorschach Test; 30:19 - Recap & Close

So many times we get our words reversed when naming subject areas. Instead of Data Ethics, for example, we should be talking about ethics as applied to data. This ties our interest to the broader discipline. Our guest, Daragh O Brien, is an expert in the field and gives us a lot of food for thought both about how we use data and how we allow our data to be used. Chapters 00:00 - Open & Introduction; 02:00 - Monologue; 04:44 - Daragh O Brien; 15:07 - Dispatches from Rock Bottom; 17:13 - Audio Rorschach Test; 19:20 - Recap & Close