216: From Raw Data to Business Results: Building High-Impact Data Teams with Ethan Aaron and John Steinmetz

This week on The Data Stack Show, Eric and John welcome Ethan Aaron and John Steinmetz. Ethan is the CEO at Portable while John is the VP of Analytics at Gallo Mechanical. During the conversation, the group explores the intricacies of data work including a discussion around the distinctions between data teams and product/engineering teams, emphasizing the importance of aligning data initiatives with business goals. Ethan and John share their career journeys and insights on building effective data teams, the concept of data contracts, the analogy of data management to plumbing, the importance of self-service analytics, the need for data teams to be seen as profit centers, and so much more.