Episode Summary
In this episode of Sunny Side Up, Chris Moody interviews Dora Boussias on the nuances of developing a robust data strategy and balancing immediate data requirements with a long-term vision. She underscores the need to align teams, particularly sales and marketing, around a unified set of goals and metrics and foster an environment encouraging transparency and teamwork. Dora also stresses the critical balance between data-driven storytelling and emotional intelligence, emphasising the need for professionals to build relationships and communicate effectively in the workplace. Throughout the conversation, they discuss the importance of adapting to change, investing in soft skills, and the mutual respect required for successful collaboration.
About the Guest
Dora Boussias is a business data and technology strategic thought leader and practitioner with deep domain expertise in data & analytics, enterprise architecture, and digital transformation; accustomed to walking the line between Business & IT, comfortable with driving change at global organizations.  Dora is a passionate frequent speaker on the topics of data, organizational culture, and transformational leadership. She advocates for ‘women in tech’ and was recognized on the ‘Global Data Power Women List 2023’. Dora is a sought-out mentor/coach by early to senior career professionals. She also serves on several advisory boards leveraging her domain expertise and exposure to Financial Services, Insurance, Retail, Education, and Healthcare/MedTech over her 29-year career.
Connect with Dora Boussias 
Key Takeaways
- Coupling technical expertise with a firm grasp of business operations is essential.
- Aim to rapidly access and trust your data, ensuring it meets operational needs and scalability.
- Align your team with a shared language and common goals to prioritise data initiatives effectively.
- Immediate solutions should consider potential future applications to avoid costly revisions later on.
- Build what is necessary for the present while strategically advancing toward a well-defined target state methodically.
- Design data systems that adapt to the macro economy, industry, and technology changes.
- Clear, shared goals and understanding standard success metrics are foundational for effective teamwork.
- Transparency and accountability in roles and expectations encourage a united effort towards organisational objectives.
- Asking "What can I do to help you?" rather than "What can you do for me?" shifts the focus to mutual support and expected progress.
- Change is inevitable, and resisting it is futile. Instead, embracing change and seeking collaboration leads to shared success.
- Respecting what each person brings and approaching interactions with curiosity can drive better collaboration.
- Recognise the importance of personal development in soft skills, often overlooked in traditional education, to improve workplace dynamics.
Quote
"When we work together, we are going further together." – Dora Boussias
Recommended Resource
https://dataverse.com 
Some good people: Could you share the names of 3 inspirational people in the B2B space that you recommend we bring to the show?
George Firican – Founder of LightsOnData Consulting & Training
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