David Jones Urges Full Business Integration of Data Analytics
▼ Summary
– David Jones established an internal data community called ‘Insights Avalanche’ to foster collaboration between business and tech teams and showcase data capabilities in a business context.
– The retailer hired data business partners to bridge communication gaps and better understand business challenges across different departments with specialized languages.
– The company is shifting its data strategy from technology-driven investments to purpose-driven data activation, focusing on clear return-on-investment and meaningful use cases.
– ROI is measured through reduced time-to-value by reusing data solutions, risk reduction via governance and security, and exploring Snowflake for additional uses like a potential customer data platform.
– Snowflake serves as a data fabric enabling safe experimentation through ring-fenced accounts and role-based access control, protecting core operational systems while expanding data utility.
David Jones is taking decisive steps to weave data analytics into the very fabric of its retail operations, moving beyond isolated tech projects to deliver measurable business outcomes. The company has launched an internal data community and introduced specialized data business partners to ensure that its investment in the Snowflake platform translates into real-world value across departments.
Historically, the retailer’s data initiatives were driven by technology rather than business needs, often failing to produce tangible returns. This time, the focus is squarely on activation and relevance. By establishing the ‘Insights Avalanche’ community, David Jones aims to bridge the gap between technically skilled subject matter experts and the rapid rollout of new data features. According to platform manager Sai Namuduri, this collaborative space allows teams to explore technological capabilities within a practical business context, making it easier to identify where data can create impact.
Complementing this effort, the newly created role of data business partners helps translate data insights into the specific language of each business unit. Whether working with customer intelligence, marketing, or merchandising teams, these partners ensure that data discussions align with departmental priorities and challenges. Shalome Stone, product manager of data and AI, emphasized that the goal is to “activate the data” in ways that are meaningful, relevant, and tied to clear returns.
The shift in mindset is fundamental: data is no longer viewed as infrastructure, but as a strategic asset with purpose. This reorientation supports the broader objective of maximizing the value derived from Snowflake. Key aspects of ROI include reducing time-to-value through reusable data components and mitigating risk via strong governance frameworks.
Snowflake’s architecture also enables safe experimentation through features like data labs and ring-fenced accounts, allowing innovation without disrupting core systems. Role-based access control is being progressively implemented, integrating with the company’s identity provider to align user permissions with organizational roles.
Looking ahead, David Jones is exploring even broader applications for Snowflake, including the possibility of using it as a customer data platform (CDP). While still in early discussion, the idea reflects a growing confidence in the platform’s versatility and a desire to avoid investing in standalone solutions where possible. As Stone noted, the business is increasingly asking, “Could we just do that in Snowflake?”, a sign that the platform is being seen not just as a data repository, but as a dynamic enabler of new opportunities.
This evolving approach signals a deeper cultural shift within the organization, where data is becoming a universal language for innovation and decision-making.
(Source: ITNews)