DATA SECRETS Podcast

Data Secrets Episode 12 with Anthony Gondick from Kawasaki EnginesIn this episode of The DATA SECRETS Podcast, we chat with Tony Gondick, technology leader at Kawasaki Engines, about how data centralization and agentic AI are reshaping the future of manufacturing.Tony Gondick explains how his small (but mighty) IT team moved beyond “good enough” thinking, tackled legacy silos, and enabled business users to become empowered data storytellers. We cover:The challenges and rewards of consolidating data from legacy systems into a central platformPractical steps for cleaning, governing, and making sense of decades of operational dataHow Power BI and Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud empower non-technical users across the businessReal-world examples of AI-driven automation for customer service and early quality warningsWhy the hardest part of adopting new technology is shifting mindsets, not just systemsFrom enabling analytics on the shop floor to building early warning systems with AI, Tony Gondick shares insights any business can use to unlock the secrets in their own data.Connect with Tony Gondick:🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-gondick-05719417/Follow the DATA SECRETS Podcast:📬 Episode recaps & insights: https://www.allegroanalytics.com/podcast🕺🏻 Nathan Settembrini on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/njsettembrini/Follow the DATA SECRETS Podcast📬 Get episode recaps & bonus insights at allegroanalytics.com/podcast 🕺🏻 Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn📺 Watch every episode on our YouTube Channel

In this episode of the DATA SECRETS Podcast, I sit down with Noelle Butler, Vice President of Product Management at JPMorgan Chase, to uncover how mastering business fundamentals and relationship management can drive massive impact in analytics and data product development.Noelle shares her journey from home health care accounting to leading enterprise data product teams at one of the world’s largest banks. We discuss:The “secret sauce” to career growth in analytics: learning the business and building strong relationshipsReal-world stories from Noelle’s time in home health, automating nurse-patient matching with early Tableau, wrestling with legacy tech, and optimizing onboarding to reduce costly nurse turnoverHow data-driven insights move the needle, from day-to-day operations to high-level decision makingThe evolution (and challenges) of data product management inside Fortune 500 organizationsWhat makes a true “data product”? The difference between dashboards that deliver value and those that gather dustThe importance of organizing analytics teams for impact and staying connected across complex organizationsNoelle’s philosophy on change and innovation, plus her take on how AI is reshaping the data landscapeWhether you work in healthcare, finance, or any data-rich industry, Noelle’s stories and strategies offer practical advice for anyone looking to turn insight into action and make data products that actually get used.🔗 Connect with Noelle on LinkedInFollow the DATA SECRETS Podcast📬 Get episode recaps & bonus insights at allegroanalytics.com/podcast 🕺🏻 Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn📺 Watch every episode on our YouTube Channel

In this episode of the DATA SECRETS Podcast, I sit down with Peter Coffee—legendary technology researcher, prolific writer, and longtime Salesforce evangelist—to unpack five decades of digital transformation, the dawn of AI, and the future of intelligent business.Peter shares hard-won lessons from the days of slide rules and room-sized mainframes through the PC revolution, cloud-first innovation, and today’s AI-powered landscape. We explore:Why using AI just to do old tasks “better, faster, cheaper” leaves a ton of value on the tableThe difference between incremental improvement and breakthrough, unimagined possibilities with dataWhat the “AOL dial-up phase of AI” means for businesses and how AI soon becomes like the air we breatheHow Salesforce’s strategy (via acquisitions, platforms, and partnerships) reflects the relentless march toward seamless intelligenceWhy the tools of tech should “disappear into their function” and what it takes for leaders to build truly adaptive organizationsThe new world of AI agents, what Minsky got right about “minds,” and how complex digital systems will soon self-orchestratePractical pitfalls and mindset shifts for execs competing in a world where your real rival is the “best digital experience” a customer has... anywhere!Peter also shares what’s next for him: his work with the Foundation for Intelligent Life on Earth and his urgent call for data-driven action on climate change.From AI’s hidden potential to the cultural (and personal!) changes driving decades of innovation, this episode is packed with stories, strategies, and provocations for anyone building the future of business.If you’re ready to move beyond the “easy wins” in AI and data, and want to unlock transformational opportunities, this conversation with Peter Coffee is a must-listen.Connect with Peter: 🔗 Foundation for Intelligent Life on Earth: http://intelligentlifeonearth.com/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petercoffee/Follow the DATA SECRETS Podcast📬 Get episode recaps & bonus insights at allegroanalytics.com/podcast 🕺🏻 Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn📺 Watch every episode on our YouTube Channel

In this episode of the DATA SECRETS Podcast, we sit down with Nadiem von Heydebrand, CEO and co-founder of Mindfuel, to uncover the real secrets behind creating business impact with data and analytics.Nadiem shares why data teams struggle to demonstrate their value, drawing on stories from consulting and startup life... including why 1,900 out of 2,000 dashboards at one client were simply unnecessary. We discuss:The difference between “output” and true business “outcome” in analyticsHow data product management transforms tech output into customer-centric resultsWhy most organizations don’t generate (or properly use) their own data early onThe hidden dangers in data processes, like the paint shop model ruined by overlooked temperature dataHow to build and structure a data team for maximum business value, whether centralized or distributedWhat makes customer satisfaction the most universal KPI, and why click rates are losing relevanceHow AI and data governance are reshaping enterprise prioritiesFrom startup pivots to insurance risk modeling to KPI horror stories, Nadiem’s insights reveal how leaders must link every data asset to a real business impact... or risk getting lost in a forest of unused dashboards.If you want to know how data teams, product managers, and business leaders can finally crack the value code, this conversation is a must-listen.Connect with Nadiem:🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiemvh/🌐 Mindfuel: https://www.mindfuel.ai/Follow the DATA SECRETS Podcast📬 Get episode recaps & bonus insights at allegroanalytics.com/podcast 🕺🏻 Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn📺 Watch every episode on our YouTube Channel

In this episode of the DATA SECRETS Podcast, I sit down with Brian Benn, CIO of Clark Atlanta University and former CIO at the Atlanta Housing Authority, to explore how business process mastery unlocks the true potential of organizational data.Brian Benn pulls back the curtain on his journey from NASA software engineer to IT leadership in public sector and higher ed, sharing how confidence, continual learning, and a focus on people shaped his rise to the CIO seat. We discuss:Why understanding business processes is foundational to data strategy and digital transformationThe art of mapping handoffs, avoiding silos, and fostering interdepartmental trustKey advice for technology practitioners looking to move into executive roles (including the difference between a mentor and a sponsor)Challenges of managing “small-town sized” data at Clark Atlanta, from police departments to museums, sports arenas, and beyondHow to wrangle mountains of diverse data into a single source of truth for actionable insightsReal stories of using data to drive investment, improve graduation rates, and support community successThe critical role of governance, retention policy, and identifying the “right amount” of data for decision-makersVanity metrics, weird KPIs, and the North Star numbers that matter most in higher educationWhether you’re leading data strategy in higher ed, government, or the private sector, Brian Benn offers practical wisdom on connecting technology, process, and people for powerful, enduring impact. If you’ve ever wondered how a CIO views the secret life of data across an entire ecosystem, this episode is packed with insights.Drop your questions in the comments—we read and respond to every one!Connect with Brian: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bwbenn/📸 Instagram: @brianwbennFollow the DATA SECRETS Podcast📬 Get episode recaps & bonus insights at allegroanalytics.com/podcast 🕺🏻 Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn📺 Watch every episode on our YouTube Channel

In this live episode of the DATA SECRETS Podcast, host Nathan Settembrini sits down with Chris Williams – Tableau Ambassador and keynote speaker at Dreamforce 2025 – for a candid, on-the-ground conversation about the evolution of Tableau, its integration into the Salesforce ecosystem, and the game-changing potential of Tableau Next.Chris shares behind-the-scenes insights from his Dreamforce keynote, breaking down how the new Tableau semantic model is providing a unified foundation for analytics, AI, and actionable insights across Tableau and Salesforce, plus how it’s all connecting with Slack and Teams for deeper collaboration. We dig into:Why semantic models are the “puzzle piece” connecting raw data to real business meaningHow self-service analytics is becoming accessible to all personas, not just data prosTableau horror stories, real-world wins, and what happens when sensor data goes silentThe secrets of uncovering hidden insights that actually drive business decisions and save serious moneyThe importance of community, mentorship, and the #DataFam in the next generation of data careersPractical tips for breaking into analytics, and why business context is your secret superpowerWhether you missed Dreamforce or just want to hear what’s next in the world of data, this episode is packed with stories, advice, and actionable takeaways for anyone looking to level up with Salesforce and Tableau.🔗 Connect with Chris Williams on LinkedInIf you’re ready to make smarter decisions and unlock the secrets hiding in your data, this is your backstage pass. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and keep sleuthing!Follow the DATA SECRETS Podcast📬 Get episode recaps & bonus insights at allegroanalytics.com/podcast 🕺🏻 Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn📺 Watch every episode on our YouTube Channel

In this episode of The DATA SECRETS Podcast, I sit down with Sairam Sundaresan, Engineering Leader and AI expert, formerly at Qualcomm and Intel. We dig into the real-world data challenges and surprising insights behind building safe, scalable AI systems for autonomous cars and how those lessons translate to any business using data to unlock value.Sai pulls back the curtain on:How teams structure and collaborate to create reliable perception for vehiclesThe complexity of collecting, cleaning, and curating diverse, real-world data (e.g., snowstorms in Colorado vs. perfect San Francisco weather)What happens when the data tells you something completely counterintuitive, and how unexpected “secrets” hide in machine learning modelsA real business case where fixing tiny data details meant huge leaps in product successThe horror story of a “data leak” between training and validation sets and what it teaches about trusting your models in productionWhy accuracy is an overrated metric, and what KPIs actually drive value and curiosity on high-performing teamsHow AI is changing the role (but not the importance) of data analysts in businessPractical advice for anyone looking to upskill and leverage AI in their data workflows, starting with hands-on projects and tool experimentationWhether you’re an engineer, data analyst, or business leader, Sai’s stories and advice reveal what it really takes to turn messy, real-world data into business impact. Plus, get a sneak peek at his upcoming book, AI for the Rest of Us, designed to bridge the gap between technical teams and business strategy.Chapters:00:00 Understanding Machines and Humans03:16 Autonomous Driving Software Development09:13 From Toy Data to Real Insights10:50 Unexpected Model Bias Lying in the Shadows14:16 Early Depth Camera Scanning Challenges17:18 Data Leak Derails Model Performance20:56 AI Explained for Non-Experts25:08 Vanity Metrics in Accuracy27:26 User Behavior Insights31:12 Evolving Role of Data Analysts33:08 Master AI Through Practice36:12 Using AI to Solve ProblemsConnect with Sairam: 🔗 Gradient Ascent Newsletter: https://newsletter.artofsaience.com/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sairam-sundaresan/📖 Order Sai's Book: 'AI for the Rest of Us'If you want a ringside seat on how business leaders crack the code, uncover the truth in their data, and translate insights into action, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.Follow the DATA SECRETS Podcast📬 Get episode recaps & bonus insights at allegroanalytics.com/podcast 🕺🏻 Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn📺 Watch every episode on our YouTube Channel

In this episode of the DATA SECRETS Podcast, we crack open a manufacturing data “case file” with none other than Frank Borovsky – Mr. Manufacturing Cloud. If you think every Fortune 500 factory has their act together, think again! Frank spills the beans on busted systems, mysterious KPIs, and the questionable "data alibis" companies use to dodge hard truths.Get ready for:The tale of Project Titan at Honeywell – a data sleuthing operation that uncovered double-dealing, cross-division chaos, and “customers” playing both sidesThe showdown between real KPIs and “vanity metrics” (hint: NPS is in the lineup for questioning)A behind-the-scenes look at how Frank survived complete system shutdowns, corrupted floppy disks, and more hair-raising data horror storiesHow private equity firms are shaking things up with their relentless chase for EBITDA, and why Frank loves solving their casesThe secret ingredient to every successful manufacturing operation: on-time to first promise (a.k.a. your statistical “say-do ratio”)Frank’s “weirdest KPI”? Customer Expected Lead Time (CELT), and how it can make or break your operational alibiFrank also reveals why most leaders would rather believe a “pretty dashboard” than interrogate the real data, and why every exec needs to get ready for AI to reveal inconvenient truths.If you’re itching for the data drama beneath the surface of manufacturing, this episode is packed with shocking reveals, hilariously nerdy moments, and actionable forensics for your next analytics initiative.Connect with Frank: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankborovsky/ 🌐 B2Beyond: https://b2beyond.com/ 📧 Email: [email protected] the DATA SECRETS Podcast📬 Get episode recaps & bonus insights at allegroanalytics.com/podcast 🕺🏻 Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn📺 Watch every episode on our YouTube Channel

In this episode of the DATA SECRETS Podcast, Nathan Settembrini and Melanie Manning kick off a new series called “Data Confessions” – an inside look at the messy, thrilling, and sometimes hilarious adventures in real-world analytics consulting.Nathan and Melanie pull back the curtain on their most intriguing current investigations, including:How to optimize business processes with tricky handoffs and unreliable data across multiple teamsWhat it’s like to lead transformative analytics initiatives (and juggle both IT and business expectations on the ground)The surprising challenges in analyzing corporate real estate data: meeting room wars, “forks” as a KPI, and the reality of hybrid workData horror stories, from multi-month cleanups (“Stop the Bleeding” and “Clean Up the Blood”) to “scream tests” on unused reportsMoments when one metric changed everything (including the time a simple “cost per ton” dashboard blew the lid off a mining company’s profitability)PLUS: The Lightning Round! Find out which vanity metrics, weird KPIs, and North Star measurements these pros love, hate, and use to drive results.Nathan and Melanie also tackle big questions about operational process, the surprising accessibility of modern analytics, and what AI means for the future of dashboards and data transformations. If you’re a leader, analyst, or just data-curious, this episode is packed with practical lessons—and a few laughs—straight from the analytics trenches.Chapters:00:00 Opening Statement01:30 Case File #1: Active Investigations08:54 Case File #2: Evidence Gone Wrong17:12 Case File #3: Breaking the Case22:02 Lightning Round: Numbers on Trial26:16 Closing ArgumentsComment with your own data confessions or questions—and don’t forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode!Follow the DATA SECRETS Podcast📬 Get episode recaps & bonus insights at allegroanalytics.com/podcast 🕺🏻 Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn📺 Watch every episode on our YouTube Channel

In this episode of The DATA SECRETS Podcast, I talk with Michael Franklin, Founder and Managing Partner at Cold Iron Capital and a multi-exit Private Equity CIO, about how data and technology can transform even the most traditional manufacturing businesses.Michael shares his journey from tech leader to business operator, detailing how he helped grow cabinet manufacturer ACPI from a struggling $120M company to a $1.8B powerhouse with a staggering 28x return for its PE backer. We dig into the critical role of operational data, the challenges of merging legacy systems during rapid M&A, and how Michael’s “customer-first, data-backed” approach surfaced hidden margin leaks and fueled exponential growth.We discuss:• Why blending deep IT and business management experience is a game-changer for aspiring CIOs• How to use “on-time complete” as a north star metric for operational excellence and customer satisfaction• Building practical, shop-floor-ready dashboards from legacy ERP (AS400) data…no fancy tech required!• Tackling the chaos of multi-ERP sprawl during acquisitions, and the real-world playbook for BI consolidation• The critical moment data revealed that “biggest” wasn’t “best” in customer profitability, and how that changed strategy• Avoiding expensive data horror stories by investing in process, clarity, and business alignment (not just tech)Michael also unpacks the evolving opportunity at the intersection of manufacturing, private equity, AI, and cybersecurity, and why now is the perfect time for smaller, data-savvy firms to leapfrog their competition.If you’re a CIO-in-waiting, PE-backed operator, or just want to hear how relentless focus on data and process can drive world-class outcomes, you won’t want to miss this episode.Connect with Michael: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfranklin/ 📧 Email: [email protected] the DATA SECRETS Podcast📬 Get episode recaps & bonus insights at allegroanalytics.com/podcast 🕺🏻 Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn📺 Watch every episode on our YouTube Channel