Former Executive Director of Enterprise Information Strategy and Risk Management & Global Data Protection Officer at Bristol-Myers Squibb on what it takes to emerge stronger from the pandemic
In this week’s episode of the Business of Data Podcast, Kamayini Kaul, the former Executive Director of Enterprise Information Strategy and Risk Management & Global Data Protection Officer for Bristol-Myers Squibb, joins our host Catherine King for a wide-ranging conversation about how data and analytics teams and individuals can put their best foot forward as we emerge from the pandemic.
“Sometimes you have to go slower to go faster,” Kaul says. Knowing when to slow down before you can accelerate with the synergies that are arriving as part of a new team, new company, new organization, I think is a huge learning for me personally.”
How data teams can emerge stronger after the pandemic
The path to recovery for organizations severely affected by the pandemic will differ from business to business.
Having the right data strategy will be critical to success, regardless of industry, as Kaul notes. However, it will be up to data and analytics leaders to define the correct path.
“Data strategy is going to be front and center for all industries and all data and analytics [teams],” she says. “But, for data and analytics to drive that recovery, I think every leader at their level is going to need to introspect and say, ‘what is our data strategy?’”
In addition, Kaul believes that the pandemic has highlighted the benefits of cooperation between individuals, companies and even countries. A lesson that can benefit data teams and their practice.
“The pharma [industry], medical device manufacturers and provider networks are cooperating on an unprecedented scale, not just within countries, but globally to bring to bear both treatments as well as vaccines,” Kaur notes
She continues: “The data space, and the ecosystems of the seamless exchange of data, quality data, trusted data and the ways in which data and analytics professionals enable that for their enterprises is going to be another focus.”
Facing new challenges as an individual
Of course, for many people, the pandemic has meant drastic personal change. A change of location, a new job, or even a new career. For those people, Kaul has some advice.
“Get comfortable with tech, digital and data,” she says. “It is very much a part of the next industrial revolution. If you happen to be in the field [already], find ways to make sure that you're bringing everyone else and their level of proficiency along with you for the ride.”
She concludes: “I think that that could be the biggest differentiator in all of us as data and analytics professionals, trying to make a dent with being a data-driven organization, culture, or a society.”
Key Findings

Slow down to go faster. Getting the basics right will help you scale faster when the time comes.
Cooperation is key. The pandemic has highlighted the benefits of cooperation between companies, industries and even countries.
Help raise standards of data literacy. Understanding the world of data will be instrumental to success in the information age.