"Data is simple. Data is transformational. But only if you own it."

In today’s data-driven world, there’s one question every leader must ask themselves: Do I truly own my data? For most, the answer is no. Data is scattered across systems, locked in silos, or controlled by third-party tools.

At The Data Group, we believe that transformation begins with ownership. Owning your data means consolidating it into a single, trustworthy source—your One-Version-of-the-TRUTH cloud-based data warehouse (OTTER). This isn’t just a technical shift; it’s a leadership mission.

Why Ownership is Non-Negotiable

Every leader knows the importance of securing business assets—property, intellectual property, and finances. Yet many overlook the foundation of it all: data. Without ownership, data is fragmented, inaccessible, and often outside one's control.

Take SaaS (Software as a Service) systems. They’re convenient but scatter your data across the globe, with limited access and export options. Or consider internal systems: they hold critical insights but are often siloed and hard to integrate. Without centralized ownership, your ability to make informed decisions is compromised.

Owning your data allows you to take control, build clarity, and reduce reliance on external platforms. It ensures you’re prepared for the future, whether scaling operations, deploying AI, or addressing unexpected disruptions.

The Journey to Owning Your Data

The path to owning your data begins with a clear mission: loading your data into a centralized OTTER. This is where your OTTER team comes in—a dedicated group tasked with consolidating your company’s critical systems into one cohesive data warehouse.

The first step starts with ELT (Extract, Load, Transform). Unlike the traditional ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) approach, where data is transformed before it’s loaded, we recommend ELT. Here’s why: transformation can and should happen inside the data warehouse itself. This eliminates the need for costly external tools and consultants, saving time and money while giving you greater flexibility.

With ELT, your OTTER team extracts data directly from your systems, loads it into your data warehouse, and performs any cleaning or transformations in one place. Tools like Snowflake simplify this process, making it accessible even for teams new to data engineering.

Breaking Down the Process

Owning your data is an iterative process, but it all begins with these fundamental steps:

1. Identify Key Systems: Start by pinpointing your most critical data sources. These might include ERP systems, CRMs, and financial platforms. Aim for the essentials—quality over quantity.
2. Establish Secure Connections: Connect securely to each system, whether internal databases or SaaS platforms. Internal systems may require VPN access or database views, while SaaS platforms might offer APIs or data exports.
3. Extract and Load: Begin by loading small batches of data into your OTTER. This allows you to identify gaps or issues before scaling to full datasets.
4. Transform for Clarity: As data flows into your warehouse, clean and enrich it. Use this stage to remove duplicates, standardize formats, and ensure accuracy.

Each step builds on the last, creating a foundation of data you can trust to make informed decisions. This journey isn’t without obstacles. Security concerns, system limitations, and complex integrations can all present roadblocks. For instance, some SaaS providers may resist providing easy access to your data. Workarounds like nightly database exports or alternative tools may be necessary.

But remember: there’s always a way. Leadership means guiding your team through these challenges and fostering collaboration between IT, your OTTER team, and external providers to find solutions.

The Power of Persistence

Owning your data is about more than just infrastructure—it’s about culture. Building an OTTER requires patience and perseverance, but the rewards are transformative. With each milestone, from connecting a system to completing the first full data load, you create the bedrock for a data-driven business.

Remember to celebrate along the way, too! Each success, no matter how small, is a step closer to owning your data and unlocking its full potential.

Owning your data is only the beginning. In our next edition, we’ll explore how to discover your data—analyzing, enriching, and transforming it into actionable insights. I leave you with this challenge: identify one system you can begin consolidating this week. The journey may be complex, but it starts with a single step.

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