Don't Panic! It's Just Data

• Is Your Finance Team Stuck in the Past? Real-Time Answers

  In this episode of "Don't Panic, It's Just Data," host Christina Stathopoulos explores the world of real-time analytics and its impact on financial decision-making. She is joined by Thomas Gore, insightsoftware's Director of Product Management for extended planning and analysis (XP&A), and Cody Riemenschneider, Director of Solutions Engineering, and they discuss the challenges and opportunities of integrating real-time data into finance.

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• Building Trust in Data: Transparency, Collaboration, and Governance for Successful AI

  "So you want trusted data, but you want it now? Building this trust really starts with transparency and collaboration. It's not just technology. It's about creating a single governed view of data that is consistent no matter who accesses it, " says Errol Rodericks, Director of Product Marketing at Denodo.In this episode of the 'Don't Panic, It's Just Data' podcast, Shawn Rogers, CEO at BARC US, speaks with Errol Rodericks from Denodo. They explore the crucial link between trusted data and successful AI initiatives. They discuss key factors such as data orchestration, governance, and cost management within complex cloud environments. We've all heard the horror stories – AI projects that fail spectacularly, delivering biased or inaccurate results. But what's the root cause of these failures? More often than not, it's a lack of focus on the data itself. Rodericks emphasises that "AI is only as good as the data it's trained on." This episode explores how organisations can avoid the "garbage in, garbage out" scenario by prioritising data quality, lineage, and responsible AI practices. Learn how to avoid AI failures and discover strategies for building an AI-ready data foundation that ensures trusted, reliable outcomes. Key topics include overcoming data bias, ETL processes, and improving data sharing practices.TakeawaysBad data leads to bad AI outputs.Trust in data is essential for effective AI.Organisations must prioritise data quality and orchestration.Transparency and collaboration are key to building trust in data.Compliance is a responsibility for the entire organisation, not just IT.Agility in accessing data is crucial for AI success.Chapters00:00 The Importance of Data Quality in AI02:57 Building Trust in Data Ecosystems06:11 Navigating Complex Data Landscapes09:11 Top-Down Pressure for AI Strategy11:49 Responsible AI and Data Governance15:08 Challenges in Personalisation and Compliance17:47 The Role of Speed in Data Utilisation20:47 Advice for CFOs on AI InvestmentsAbout DenodoDenodo is a leader in data management. The award-winning Denodo Platform is the leading logical data management platform for transforming data into trustworthy insights and outcomes for all data-related initiatives across the enterprise, including AI and self-service. Denodo's customers in all industries all over the world have delivered trusted AI-ready and business-ready data in a third of the time and with 10x better performance than with lakehouses and other mainstream data platforms alone.

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  22:59
• Why is a Customer Data Strategy a Competitive Edge?

  In this episode of our 'Don't Panic, It's Just Data' podcast series, Christina Stathopoulos, Founder at Dare to Data, speaks with Matthew Cawsey and Arnjah Dillard from Stibo Systems. Matthew and Arnjah explain the importance of CMDM and CXDC for maintaining positive customer engagement. Learn how to move from basic personalisation, ethically use data, leverage AI for a better customer experience. Let’s transform your messy data into a competitive advantage.

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• The Peak of Data and AI: Speaker Sneak Peek

  In the latest episode of the Don’t Panic It’s Just Data podcast, we connected with speakers who provided a preview of their presentations at the upcoming Peak of Data and AI event in Seattle organised by Safe Software from May 5-8, 2025. This premier gathering, hosted by Safe Software, the creators of FME, will be a hub for data and AI innovators, and this podcast episode offers an exclusive look into what attendees can expect.Our conversation featured Margaret Smith and Reshma Joy from the West Virginia Department of Transportation. They shared their crucial work in ensuring data integrity through rigorous validations of their Linear Reference System data. This foundational work underpins much of their operational efficiency and decision-making. They further revealed how they’ve achieved seamless integration between Survey123 and their R&H data, showcasing a strong example of how disparate systems can be harmonized for greater insight. This presentation will provide attendees with actionable strategies for enhancing data quality and interoperability.We also spoke to Bruno Blanco, a GIS Engineer from Shelby County 9-1-1. Bruno walked us through how FME supports critical aspects of their 911 addressing workflow—particularly data aggregation, QA/QC, and attribution—within a larger automation framework. This work highlighted the power of automation in critical public safety infrastructure. By streamlining their addressing processes, Shelby County 9-1-1 is improving response times and ensuring more accurate location data, ultimately saving lives. Bruno’s presentation will offer valuable insights into how organisations can leverage FME to automate complex workflows and enhance operational efficiency.This episode serves as a compelling preview for the main event at The Peak of Data and AI. If you’d like to learn more about Bruno and Shelby County 9-1-1’s story, check out their success story with Safe. For further information on what we’ve talked about and to register for The Peak of Data and AI event in Seattle, please head over to peakofdataintegration.com.TakeawaysData validation is essential for accurate operations.FME enables seamless integration of disparate systems.Automation of critical processes improves public safety.Networking and community learning are key benefits of The Peak.Breakout sessions provide valuable hands-on FME knowledge.AI is increasingly influencing data integration workflows.

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  8:40
• Mastering Collaborative Financial Planning

  "There's been a lot of wrangling of data, a lot of wrangling of humans as well, which is a big theme for today," says Warwick Leitch, Product Management Director at insightsoftware.In this episode of the 'Don't Panic, It's Just Data' podcast, Debbie Reynolds, CEO and Chief Data Privacy Officer at Debbie Reynolds Consulting LLC, speaks with Leitch from insightsoftware. They discuss the vital role of financial strategy and collaborative planning, particularly as it pertains to the decisions made by IT executives.The question they address is: In a world awash with data, how do we transform it into actionable insights? Warwick shares his wealth of experience, offering practical advice and illuminating the path to successful budgeting and forecasting.One such challenge addressed in the podcast is how organisations are securing executive buy-in. "And 51 percent of people find it difficult to engage senior executives to buy into the process, which is a roadblock. And 57 percent of organisations struggle cross-functionally," Warwick reveals. It's not just about the numbers. Warwick also emphasises the human element, reminding us that "Without people, we don't have anything." In an era where AI looms large, it's crucial to remember that technology serves to enhance, not replace, human collaboration.Tune in to the podcast and learn how to navigate the complexities of financial strategy and collaborative planning.TakeawaysExecutive buy-in is crucial for successful budgeting.A clear vision helps guide the budgeting process.Thoughtful execution is key to effective planning.Fostering a culture of collaboration enhances participation.Data accuracy is vital in today's fast-paced environment.Avoid overcomplicating the budgeting process.Gamification can improve engagement in budgeting.AI can significantly streamline forecasting and reporting.Regularly updating forecasts leads to better accuracy.Understanding business measures is essential for effective planning.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Collaborative Financial Planning05:01 The Importance of Executive Buy-In10:09 Thoughtful Execution in Budgeting15:01 Fostering a Culture of Collaboration19:48 Defining Business Measures and Data Accuracy24:52 Common Pitfalls in Collaborative Budgeting29:52 The Future of Collaborative Planning with AI

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