#90 Solving Master Data Challenges for Large Global Enterprises with Scott Taylor – Data Whisperer & Principal Consultant
Scott is a firm believer in “making your data do the work,” and he has enlightened countless business executives to the value of proper data management by focusing on the strategic rationale and business alignment rather than technical implementation and system integration. Scott is more of the strategic WHY than the technical HOW. He has spent over two decades guiding Tech Brand owners to leverage their reference data and taxonomy assets. In a variety of strategic marketing, GTM, innovation, and consulting roles, Scott has worked with some of the world’s most iconic business data brands, including Dun & Bradstreet, Nielsen, Microsoft, Kantar, NPD as well as start-ups such as Qoints and Spiceworks.
In this episode, Scott Taylor explains how he came up with the idea for his engaging videos. In high school, instead of coming up with a verbal presentation, he would make an animated video. Scott is always looking for a way to get off the page. Then, Scott answers the question – if MDM is so great, then why isn’t everyone doing it? It’s hard, it takes a commitment at the cultural level, and there is a lot of overpromising. MDM is not cool or sexy; there is a lot of confusion in the space. Now, the stakes are higher. If you do not get MDM right, then you could be out of business. Disruptors like Amazon and Uber came into the world powered by data. People think the app was the disruptor; however, the data is the only reason they succeeded.
People don’t understand everything about MDM. Scott talks a lot about master data. MDM gets way too complicated way too quickly. People get distracted by the result before they even have the tools to do the job they need to do. What’s the ROI on master data? There isn’t any – it doesn’t do anything by itself, but it’s the great enabler. Scott helps people tell a better story about their data. Data storytelling is prevalent now, and rightfully so. Learn how to pitch why you need data management to your stakeholders in the first place. Where is your company going, and what do they want to do? If Scott looks at the big companies, he knows they won’t get anywhere without master data.
Master data is an outcome; data engineering should be involved. You still need the content. Data is an asset; then, master data is the most critical asset. When you are going for funding, you have to stick to value terminology. Scott gets lost very quickly in the technical aspects of data – he plays his position well, WHY not HOW! People can pick on Scott because he doesn’t understand all the technical aspects. The bickering between data people is part of the problem. If a stakeholder listens to two data engineers arguing about the data, then they won’t bother listening to the rest of the data conversation. If the data people can’t figure it out, then there is no way the stakeholder will figure it out. Stay tuned for Scott to explain the philosophy behind his content, and the inspiration behind the Data Whisperer and Meta Meta Consulting.
Enjoy the show!
We speak about:
[00:30] How Scott started in the world of data
[04:30] How did you develop your engaging videos?
[07:50] How have you seen data change over time?
[11:30] What are people not understanding about MDM?
[16:35] What are the classic pitfalls?
[19:45] Is master data similar to data engineering?
[21:00] Do people struggle to talk about data as an asset?
[25:50] How are you having the best time in your career right now?
[30:55] What’s the philosophy behind your content?
[38:30] How did you land on the Data Whisperer and Meta Meta Consulting?
Resources:
Scott’s Website: http://metametaconsulting.com
Scott’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVQ1YhjNqc77GVsb3Xs4tvw
Scott’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/stdatawhisperer
Scott’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmztaylor/
Quotes:
“You need data management first before you do business intelligence.”
“I’m the sous chef in the back, making sure we have the right ingredients.”
“Do upon your data as you would have it do upon you.”
“Master data is your most important data.”
Scott Taylor is based in New York, USA.
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