The Revolutionary Impact of Data Analytics - Shawn Egan - Making Better Decisions - Episode # 007

Making Better Decisions: Leaders in Data

On this week’s episode of Making Better Decisions, host Ryan Sullivan sits down with Shawn Egan, Space Assortments & Systems Lead at the Boston Beer Company! Shawn and Ryan delve into the importance of asking the right questions in data analysis to make informed decisions, rather than just seeking data without clear objectives. Sean emphasizes the value of understanding the business behind the data and the distinction between serving a sales or leadership audience versus data analysts. They also discuss the evolution of data tools like Power BI and how they've changed the landscape of data analytics by enabling real-time decision-making. It’s an inspiring episode you don‘t want to miss!

Takeaways:

• The essence of leveraging data effectively lies in asking the right questions. Rather than seeking specific data points, understanding the problems to be solved can lead to more meaningful insights.
• A profound grasp of the business environment and challenges enhances the value derived from data. Sean underscores the importance of marrying technical data skills with business acumen to generate relevant outcomes.
• The conversation highlights the shift in data analytics brought about by tools like Power BI and Tableau, which have revolutionized decision-making by enabling real-time analysis and visualization. Embracing these tools can significantly enhance an organization's agility and responsiveness.
• Balancing technical expertise with business knowledge within teams is crucial. Identifying individuals who possess a natural curiosity and an aptitude for bridging the technical-business divide can lead to more cohesive and effective data utilization.
• Sean's personal journey illustrates the value of continuous learning and staying adaptable. Transitioning from sales to category management and eventually to leading a technical team showcases the importance of constantly acquiring new skills and embracing change.
• Leaders are encouraged to foster a culture of technical curiosity within their teams. Providing opportunities for team members to learn about and experiment with new data tools and methodologies can spur innovation and improve decision-making processes.
• The ability to make informed decisions on the fly, enabled by modern data analytics tools, is a game-changer. Cultivating the capability to analyze and interpret data in real-time can lead to more dynamic and successful strategies.

Quote of the Show:

• “Finding the right people, giving them leeway, and handing them the right tools is a huge time saver.” - Shawn Egan

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-egan-a34a959/
• Company Website: www.bostonbeer.com

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PpvYXoXjAYl8auDpmShYi
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• Transistor: https://www.makingbetterdecisions.live/episodes
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingBetterDecisions/podcasts