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In today’s fast-moving business world, companies are starting to realise that data isn’t just something you collect, it’s something you build, manage, and leverage like a product. A professional who embodies this new way of thinking is Kaan Tan, a data-driven technology and operations leader with HelloFresh (at the time of writing). We took some of his ideas from The Data For Good Podcast to tell you about this new age of Data-Product business thinking.
Kaan told us that businesses need to move away from treating data as a service and instead own it as a product. This shift requires more than just better tools or dashboards, it’s about a mindset change. Data teams should work hand-in-hand with business leaders, focus on usability and scalability, and design data solutions that deliver long-term value. If you're in the data space, embracing product thinking, strong stakeholder alignment, and scalable data architectures will be key to making this transition successful.
Understanding the Essence of Operational Effectiveness
The role of operational effectiveness is often overlooked, especially in more traditional organizations. But in tech-driven companies, it’s becoming a game-changer. Operational effectiveness isn’t just about doing things efficiently, it’s about being adaptable and ready for change. In a world defined by VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity), businesses need to move beyond old-school efficiency models and adopt more flexible, strategic approaches.
“Let’s not focus on an input-output driven equation anymore, but let’s focus on getting the right maturity and adaptiveness in our process landscape, tech landscape to enable the effectiveness of a value chain.”
This is more than just an operational shift, it’s a strategic one. Businesses that embrace data and process maturity will be better positioned to navigate uncertainty. At the heart of this change is value creation and customer-centricity. It’s not just about collecting more data, it’s about using that data effectively to make better business decisions. Aligning data strategy with both operational and customer needs is what separates successful organizations from the rest.
Owning Data as a Product
Shifting to a data product-focused model isn’t just a small tweak, but a fundamental change in how organizations think about and manage data. Traditionally, data has been treated as a service, where analysts and engineers provide insights and reports when requested. But this reactive model doesn’t scale. Instead, companies need to treat data as a product, with clear ownership, a structured roadmap, and a focus on long-term value.
This shift became especially clear during the rapid growth phases of companies during the pandemic. Many organizations scaled fast but struggled with data chaos, revealing cracks in their systems and structures.
“I joined a scale-up that was at the point of maturing into a corporate...the goal right then was to cope with its growth, not to ensure its stability.”
To make this transition successful, data professionals need to build a deep understanding of the business, actively engage with stakeholders, and create structured, reusable data solutions. It’s not just about storing data but rather making sure it’s accessible, reliable, and built in a way that aligns with business goals. Every company has its own unique challenges, but one thing is clear: the future belongs to organizations that treat data like the valuable asset it truly is.
Final Thoughts for Data People
The role of data professionals is evolving fast. It’s no longer enough to just generate insights or provide reports, you need to be a driver of change, a strategic partner in the business. To stay ahead, focus on continuous learning, building strong relationships with business leaders, and championing data-driven decision-making across the company. If you treat data as a product, prioritize long-term impact over short-term wins, and stay adaptable, you’ll not only future-proof your career but also help shape the future of your organization.
What’s one step you can take today to make your company’s data more accessible, reliable, or valuable to the business?
Thanks for reading! We'd love to hear your thoughts on helping your business (and your career) to make that transition. Drop us a line at joseph@zuma-recruitment.com or matt@zuma-recruitment.com, or visit zuma-recruitment.com
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