#232: Getting buy in and investment from senior execs for your data & AI projects, with Brian Ferris, Chief Data, Analytics and Technology Officer at Loyalty New Zealand

<p>This special episode was recorded LIVE and in-person with Brian Ferris, Chief Data, Analytics and Technology Officer at Loyalty New Zealand. He shares on how to get value from your AI investment and how to look at the interplay and relationship between data leaders and the senior executive team. </p> <p>Brian stresses the importance of aligning with execs on the business strategy first, then working backwards to your AI strategy. According to Brian, the first step is for the data leaders themselves to shift their mindset from being an expert in their field, to instead become an enterprise leader. This means developing the capacity to have a conversation with other stakeholders within the organisation on their terms and understand what keeps them up at night. It also means looking at decisions through the lens of what is good for the overall business. </p> <p>Brian and Felipe also share key steps in nurturing talent to take on leadership roles.  It’s imperative to create a culture of psychological safety within the organisation and identify when an individual is ready to start taking on a leadership role and equipping them with enterprise skills. It also means helping them transition beyond looking at the data to their broader role within the organisation.</p> <p>Finally, Felipe and Brian discuss why data leaders need to leave their egos at the door, and not become emotionally invested in or defensive of projects. The data leader should be one of the leading voices within the organisation, but to get there, a collaborative spirit and a goal to take actions that are beneficial to the organisation are key.</p> <p>In this interview, Ferris dives deep into all these topics. He offers insights according to his own approach to the subject, and challenges some of the conventions we take for granted. Tune in to learn more!</p> <p><br>Thank you to our sponsor<a href="https://www.talentinsights.com.au/"> Talent Insights Group!</a></p> <p> Connect with Brian:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-ferris-a053532/"> htt