All organizations need a data evangelist. This person does not necessarily have to be a data scientist or a data analyst, but it should be someone who champions data as a fundamental piece of the growth equation. Ethan Garr trains, coaches, and hold workshops to help companies accelerate their growth and has seen firsthand the power of data in driving decision-making, experimenting, and scaling. In this episode, Ethan distinguishes between being data-driven and data-led decision-making. While he always embraced data, there was an inflection point when he started building his data team that championed data throughout his organization. Ethan walks us through some of what he did right and wrong when he built this team and highlights the value in continually working on being a data-driven organization. We also get into what it means to have a North Star metric, why it is crucial to use data from the outset, and the fact that data is not simply about numbers but about the insights you draw. As data becomes an increasingly hot commodity, companies must budget properly, and Ethan suggests how to plan financially for this investment in your business. While, as a leader, you do not have to know everything, there is value in having a broad understanding of concepts, and as the show wraps up, Ethan shares details about GoPractice, a simulator course that offers hands-on data experience for those wanting to know more. Data cannot be done in a vacuum, and your data evangelist is a crucial piece in helping your company shape a culture that leverages data to its maximum potential.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Get to know Ethan, his background, and his passion for helping companies grow.
• Ethan’s relationship with data and how it has evolved over time.
• The most important thing Ethan got right when he started hiring data people.
• Advice on how to go about hiring data experts if you feel your company is ready for it.
• Data is not only quantitative; the magic happens when it’s combined with qualitative analysis.
• Although there is no universal approach for where your data person should go, someone has to lead data in the company.
• Why your only goal when you are pre-product-market fit should be to get to product-market fit.
• The importance of data from day one: how to use data right at the get-go.
• North Star metric: Ethan’s take on what it is and the two components it’s comprised of.
• All of your metrics should ultimately align with your North Star metric.
• Data needs to be planned effectively; it cannot be done in a vacuum.
• The major mistakes that Ethan made when he hired his data team.
• Setting a budget for your data team: talent costs serious money.
• Details about GoPractice, a simulator course to help you get familiar with data.
• Final advice around data for growth-oriented people.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Data Rich Show

AJ Yager

Praxis Metrics

Ethan Garr on Twitter

Ethan Garr on LinkedIn

Breakout Growth

Breakout Growth Podcast

Sean Ellis on LinkedIn

‎RoboKiller

ProfitWell

GoPractice

Measure What Matters

Amplitude