Why Every Company Needs a Data Platform Strategy

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In this episode of Data Analytics Chat, host Ben Parker interviews Manoj Mohan, an engineering executive with experience at Intuit, Meta, Apple, and Cloudera. Manoj shares his journey from software engineering to data leadership, offering invaluable insights into building resilient data platforms and driving innovation in the world of data and AI.

Manoj discusses pivotal moments in his career, the challenges of moving from technical roles to leadership, and the importance of learning from both successes and failures. He emphasises the need for a data platform strategy over simply assembling a stack of tools, and shares practical advice for newcomers and leaders alike. The conversation also covers the pitfalls of focusing on quick technology wins, the critical role of governance, and how to future-proof your data strategy in an era of rapid AI advancement.

00:00 Treating Data as a First-Class Citizen
01:19 Welcome & Guest Introduction
01:46 Manoj’s Career Journey & Background
02:45 Transition from Software to Data Engineering
05:06 Moving into Engineering Leadership
07:11 Advice for Newcomers: Learning & Unlearning
09:12 Defining Moments in Manoj’s Career
12:05 Lessons from Career Setbacks
15:03 The Importance of Data Platform Strategy
17:18 Data Stack vs. Data Platform Strategy
21:06 Evaluating and Choosing Data Tools
24:04 Why Companies Buy Tools Instead of Building Strategy
27:13 Real-World Example: Great Stack, Failed Strategy
30:00 Governance and Business-Tech Alignment
33:00 Building a Scalable, Future-Proof Data Platform
36:00 The Role of Data Platforms in AI & Innovation
41:00 Final Thoughts & Farewell

Thank you for listening!