CDO Insights: Five Lessons to Foster a Powerful Data Culture and Enhance Literacy

Data culture has become a crucial aspect of decision-making in today's data-driven world. Organizations and employees at all levels must possess the ability to understand and utilize data effectively.

Here are five key lessons from CDOs in Cynozure’s CDO Hub Community regarding their experiences with creating data-guided cultures and delivering data literacy programs:

Lesson 1 – Unite under a business objective or strategy

Aligning employees around a shared business objective or strategy is essential for improving data culture within an organization. By establishing a common vision and goals, organizations can ensure that everyone is working towards the same outcomes, using consistent metrics, and speaking the same language.

This approach helps prevent silos and conflicting priorities that can hinder data initiatives. A unified approach fosters a culture of data-guided decision-making, leading to improved efficiency, innovation, and overall performance. Use the principles of community-building to rally support and unite people around the business for your cause.

Lesson 2 – Help people understand the benefit – Communication is key

Effective communication plays a vital role in cultivating a data culture. Clearly articulating the benefits of data helps create buy-in and motivates individuals to enhance their data literacy skills. When people understand how data can help them achieve personal and professional goals, they are more likely to invest time and effort in building their data skills.

It is crucial to share wins and get leaders to not only shout about how it helped them but also be transparent about what didn’t go so well. Utilizing various communication channels, understanding your audience, and using clear and concise messaging is fundamental to success.

Lesson 3 – Build relationships – Identify your champions to help drive change, and invest time in your detractors 

Developing personal connections and rapport is crucial for building trust and fostering a data culture. By engaging with individuals across the organization, data leaders can identify champions who are enthusiastic about data initiatives and can advocate for their value. Breaking down silos and promoting collaboration between departments is also important.

It is equally essential to invest time in understanding and addressing the concerns of those who are skeptical or resistant to data-guided approaches. Leverage the support of champions and demonstrate the role of data in enhancing decision-making, rather than minimizing people’s experience and intuition.

Lesson 4 – Never waste a good crisis

Challenges or problems related to data often present opportunities to demonstrate the value of data initiatives. When individuals encounter issues, they are more willing to seek help and accept solutions.

By addressing these real-life challenges and helping them avert crises (especially senior stakeholders), data leaders can get buy-in even from their biggest detractors. Understanding the business context here is critical and being able to adapt plans to make the most of such opportunities.

Lesson 5 – Success measures are different for everyone

There isn't one KPI to measure the success of a data culture program. Measuring the success of a data culture program requires qualitative and quantitative measures.

Consider…

• …measuring behaviors such as how people use data differently.

• …tying data initiatives to business goals or values and tracking progress through annual surveys.

Rather than ‘data culture’ success measures, focus on measures that help the business see how data is enabling them to achieve a good decision-making culture.

Parting advice

What works for one organization may not work for another when it comes to data culture. Understanding your organization's appetite for change and cultural context is essential. Change takes time, so managing expectations and finding a balance between short-term wins and long-term plans is crucial.

Also, have fun! People love to be entertained so get creative and add gamification so the business sides better engage with your journey. Finally, remember – “To win the war, you have to lose some battles.” This isn't a linear journey, it is not easy. Timing is everything and a bit of good luck will help…

About the contributors:

This article summarises a series of open conversations among a cohort of Cynozure's CDO Hub community. Members shared their insights and experiences of data literacy programs and building a data culture. It aims to inspire and reassure data leaders that they are not alone in their journey and there is a brilliant community open and willing to support them.

Data Culture Cohort Members include Steve Prokopiou (First Central), Hayley Green (Cynozure), Roberto Maranca (Schneider Electric), Richard Cook (Marsh Commercials), Simon Barrass (Tote), Marion Shaw (Chaucer Group), George McCrea (Royal Engineers Geographic), Adam Cresser (Notting Hill Genesis) & Tim Connold (Cynozure).

About Cynozure’s CDO Hub

Cynozure’s exclusive community, the CDO Hub, provides senior data leaders globally with a space to collaborate, share and grow. They organize regular meet-ups, facilitate Slack groups, and support members to further their careers. The community is strictly ‘no suppliers or vendors,’ and membership is by application or invitation only.