Hi, I'm Lior Barak—a data strategist with 15+ years across data engineering, analytics, and product development. I turn complex data into actionable insights that drive business success. My Mentorship Style: Results-Focused: We'll set clear goals and hit them. Candid Advice: Straightforward feedback with practical steps. Flexible Approach: Tailored strategies for changing challenges. Interactive: Regular video sessions to keep things hands-on and dynamic. Why Work with Me? Author of Data is Like a Plate of Hummus, making data concepts relatable for everyone. Proven Experience: Transforming data cultures at Zalando, idealo, and helping SMEs leverage data for growth. Diverse Perspective: Rich insights from varied business models and strategies. Ready to maximize your data’s potential? Let’s connect and start the journey to real results.
My Mentoring Topics
- Strategic Data Leadership: Position data as a true business asset to drive value and achieve key objectives.
- Revenue-Focused Strategy: Build SMART KPIs and data initiatives with measurable ROI and real business impact.
- Privacy-Conscious Insights: Balance data utility with respect for user privacy in all initiatives.
- Cultivating a Data-Driven Culture: Foster a culture where data ROI drives profit, cost efficiency, and actionable insights.
- Reliable Data Governance: Implement frameworks for trusted, high-quality data across the organization.
- Empowered Data Access: Democratize data access with tools and insights that empower every team.
- Advanced Analytics: Tap into predictive and prescriptive analytics for trend forecasting and smarter decision-making.
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15.December 2023He was quite positive and created a meaningful conversation during the interview. And all the tips & tricks and correcting my answers were quite useful for me, thanks a lot again!
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Data Is Like a Plate of Hummus
Lior Barak
Key Facts and Insights from “Data Is Like a Plate of Hummus” Data is not just numbers but a narrative – It tells a story that can be used to make informed decisions and strategies. Data is like hummus – It is versatile and can be used in many different ways depending on the context. Understanding data – The importance of interpreting data correctly, and the potential consequences of misinterpretations. Data visualization – The power of presenting data visually to make it more digestible and understandable. Data-driven decision making – How data can be used to guide business decisions, enhance customer experience, and improve products and services. The role of data in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) – The use of data in training algorithms and models. Data privacy and ethics – The importance of handling data responsibly and ethically. Data literacy – The need for everyone to understand and use data effectively. The future of data – Predictions for how data will continue to shape our world. Data and business strategy – How data can help to shape and drive a business's strategic direction. Challenges in data management – The potential obstacles and challenges in collecting, storing, analyzing, and interpreting data. In-depth Summary and Analysis In "Data Is Like a Plate of Hummus", Lior Barak presents a fascinating exploration of data, likening it to a plate of hummus in its versatility and wide-ranging uses. This analogy is not only engaging but also serves to demystify the concept of data, making it accessible to a broad audience. This accessibility is crucial in today's data-driven world, as data literacy is increasingly becoming a vital skill. One of the central themes of the book is the idea that data is not just numbers but a narrative. This perspective shifts the way we view and interact with data. Instead of seeing it as a cold, impersonal collection of numbers, we begin to understand it as a tool for telling stories, making predictions, and guiding decision-making. This brings us to another crucial point that Barak emphasizes, which is the importance of data-driven decision making. Data, when correctly analyzed and interpreted, can provide valuable insights that can guide business decisions, enhance customer experience, and improve products and services. This is particularly evident in the realms of AI and ML, where data is used to train algorithms and models. However, the book does not shy away from discussing the potential pitfalls of data. Misinterpreting data can lead to costly mistakes. Furthermore, there are critical issues surrounding data privacy and ethics. Barak stresses the importance of handling data responsibly and ethically, a point that is particularly relevant in the era of big data and data breaches. The book also delves into the topic of data visualization. Visualizing data can make it more understandable and accessible. This is particularly relevant in a world where the amount of data is increasing exponentially, and the ability to make sense of it quickly is vital. In discussing the future of data, Barak makes several predictions, including the continuing importance of data in shaping our world. The book also explores how data can help to shape and drive a business's strategic direction. Finally, the book acknowledges the challenges in data management, including the potential obstacles and challenges in collecting, storing, analyzing, and interpreting data. But despite these challenges, the book positions data as a powerful tool that, when used correctly and ethically, can have far-reaching impacts. In conclusion, "Data Is Like a Plate of Hummus" is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the world of data. It covers a wide range of topics and provides valuable insights into the importance and versatility of data. Whether you are a data professional or simply interested in understanding the role of data in our world, this book provides valuable insights and understanding.
ViewThe Unicorn Project - A Novel about Developers, Digital Disruption, and Thriving in the Age of Data
Gene Kim
Key Insights from "The Unicorn Project" Five Ideals: The book introduces five ideals that are crucial for the success of any project. These are Locality and Simplicity, Focus, Flow, and Joy, Improvement of Daily Work, Psychological Safety, and Customer Focus. Value of Developers: The book highlights the importance of developers in the digital era and how they can cause disruptions and innovations in the industry. Data Centricity: Data is the new oil. The book accentuates the significance of data and how it can be utilized to thrive in the current age. Communication and Collaboration: The importance of effective communication and collaboration between different departments in an organization is emphasized. Technical Debt: The book discusses the concept of technical debt and how it can hinder the progress of a project if not managed properly. Psychological Safety: The novel underscores the need for psychological safety in a working environment. The team members should feel safe to take risks and communicate openly. Importance of Automation: The book sheds light on the role and importance of automation in achieving efficiency and speed in projects. Customer Centricity: The importance of keeping the customer at the center of all decisions and development is highlighted. Leadership: The book underlines the role of effective leadership in driving the successful execution of projects. Continuous Learning: The emphasis is laid on the importance of continual learning for staying relevant in the ever-evolving tech world. DevOps and Agile methodologies: The book discusses the use of DevOps and Agile methodologies for efficient project management and execution. Analysis of "The Unicorn Project" "The Unicorn Project" by Gene Kim is a business novel that provides significant insights into the world of software development and digital disruption. It is a sequel to his previous book "The Phoenix Project", and it continues the conversation around DevOps, this time with a focus on the developer's perspective. The book is centered around the character of Maxine, a senior lead developer and architect, who gets exiled to the Phoenix Project, which is considered a disaster. The narrative follows her journey as she navigates through the complexities and challenges, ultimately leading her team towards success. In this journey, the author introduces us to the "Five Ideals" which are core principles for success in any organization. The first two ideals, Locality and Simplicity and Focus, Flow, and Joy, resonate with the concept of Agile methodologies, which emphasize breaking down complex tasks into simpler ones, focusing on one task at a time, and maintaining a steady flow of work. It shows how these principles can lead to joy in work, which is essential for productivity and innovation. The next ideal, Improvement of Daily Work, is in line with the concept of Kaizen, a Japanese term for continuous improvement. It suggests how improving daily work is even more important than doing the daily work. The idea here is to maintain a culture of constant learning and improvement, and this can be done by encouraging experimentation, rewarding innovative ideas, and learning from failures. In the fourth ideal, Psychological Safety, the author emphasizes the need for creating an environment where team members feel safe in taking risks and expressing their thoughts. This is crucial for innovation and creativity. It aligns with the concept of Transformational Leadership, where leaders encourage open communication, promote risk-taking, and foster creativity. The last ideal, Customer Focus, aligns with the concept of Customer Centricity. It highlights the importance of keeping the customer at the center of all decisions and developments. This ideal is crucial in the era of digital disruption, where customer preferences and expectations are rapidly changing. The book also discusses the importance of effectively managing technical debt, which can be a significant obstacle in software development if not addressed timely. It further highlights the importance of automation in achieving efficiency and speed, which is a key aspect of DevOps. In conclusion, "The Unicorn Project" provides valuable insights into the best practices for software development and project management in the age of digital disruption. It emphasizes the importance of developers, data, communication, collaboration, leadership, continuous learning, and customer focus for the success of any project. The concepts and methodologies discussed in this book can be incredibly beneficial for anyone looking to thrive in the ever-evolving tech world.
ViewTesting Business Ideas - A Field Guide for Rapid Experimentation
David J. Bland, Alexander Osterwalder
Key Facts and Insights from "Testing Business Ideas - A Field Guide for Rapid Experimentation" Experimentation is key: The central idea is that every business concept should be subjected to testing and experimentation before full implementation. Assumption mapping: This process helps identify the most uncertain and impactful parts of a business model which should be tested first. A variety of experiments: The book suggests 44 different experiment types that can be used to test various aspects of a business idea. Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop: This is a critical concept borrowed from Lean Startup methodology, emphasizing the iterative nature of testing business ideas. Risk profiles: The authors lay out four types of risk profiles which help determine the nature and extent of experimentation required. Experiment Library: A resource provided in the book that can guide entrepreneurs on how to design and conduct experiments effectively. Case Studies: The book is full of real-life case studies that illustrate the concepts and principles discussed. Field guide: It is presented as a practical, hands-on guide that can be used in real-world business settings. Collaboration with stakeholders: The importance of involving all stakeholders in the experimentation process is highlighted. Learning Cards: These are tools designed to facilitate learning from experiments and adjustments of business ideas. Detailed Analysis and Summary "Testing Business Ideas - A Field Guide for Rapid Experimentation" is a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders. The authors, David J. Bland and Alexander Osterwalder, draw upon their vast experience and expertise in business model innovation to provide a practical and hands-on approach to testing business ideas. The authors emphasize the importance of experimentation in the early stages of business development. They argue that, too often, businesses fail because of a lack of proper verification and validation of their underlying assumptions. This is where Assumption Mapping comes in. It is a process that helps identify the most uncertain and impactful aspects of a business idea. Once these critical assumptions have been identified, the authors suggest 44 different types of experiments that can be conducted to verify and validate these assumptions. These range from simple online surveys to more complex pilot programs and minimum viable products (MVPs). The experiments are designed to provide real-world data and feedback that can be used to refine and improve the business idea. The authors borrow the Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop from Lean Startup methodology to emphasize the iterative nature of testing business ideas. They argue that this feedback loop should be at the heart of all business experimentation. Another important concept introduced in the book is the four types of Risk Profiles: Market Risk, System Risk, Execution Risk, and Stakeholder Risk. These risk profiles help determine the nature and extent of experimentation required for the business idea. The book also includes an Experiment Library, a comprehensive resource that guides entrepreneurs on how to design and conduct experiments effectively. This, coupled with the real-life case studies, provides a practical and hands-on approach to experimentation. The authors also stress the importance of collaboration with stakeholders in the experimentation process. They argue that involving all stakeholders ensures that the outcomes of the experiments are understood and accepted by everyone involved in the business. Finally, the book introduces Learning Cards, a tool designed to facilitate learning from the experiments and adjustments of the business ideas. They serve as a record of what was learned from the experiment and what changes are made as a result. In conclusion, "Testing Business Ideas - A Field Guide for Rapid Experimentation" provides a comprehensive, practical, and hands-on approach to the verification and validation of business ideas through experimentation. The concepts, principles, and tools introduced in the book provide a roadmap for entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders to minimize the risks associated with new business ideas and maximize their chances of success.
ViewProject to Product - How to Survive and Thrive in the Age of Digital Disruption with the Flow Framework
Mik Kersten
Key Facts and Insights from the Book The shift from project to product is essential in the age of digital disruption. The book introduces a new approach called the Flow Framework that enables businesses to align software delivery with business goals. The Flow Framework helps to measure the flow of value in software delivery and identify bottlenecks. Organizational structure plays a crucial role in the successful transition from project to product. Understanding and aligning the value stream is critical for success in the digital era. The book presents case studies from companies that have successfully made the transition from project to product. Surviving in the digital age requires a holistic approach that includes culture, process, and technology. Technology is an essential investment, not a cost center. Business leaders need to understand the principles of software delivery to drive the digital transformation. DevOps is a crucial aspect of the transition from project to product. In-Depth Summary and Analysis The author Mik Kersten begins by posing a crucial question that every business leader should consider: "Are you a digital disruptor or the disrupted?" In the era of digital disruption, Kersten argues that the traditional project management approach is no longer effective and that companies must shift from project to product to survive and thrive. The Flow Framework is introduced as a new approach that aligns software delivery with business objectives. The Flow Framework measures the flow of value in software delivery and helps identify bottlenecks, enabling businesses to continuously improve their software delivery processes. This is a key insight because it shifts the focus from output (how many features are delivered) to outcomes (the value those features provide to the business). The book emphasizes the importance of organizational structure in a successful transition. Kersten argues that the traditional hierarchical structure hinders the flow of value and that organizations need to adopt a network structure that supports the product-centric approach. This structure enables cross-functional collaboration and reduces dependencies, thus accelerating the flow of value. Another important concept presented in the book is the value stream. The author posits that understanding and aligning the value stream is critical for success in the digital era. The value stream includes all the activities, from idea to delivery, that deliver value to the customer. By aligning the value stream, businesses can ensure that every activity contributes to the business goals. Kersten also presents case studies from companies like BMW, Microsoft, and Tasktop that have successfully made the transition from project to product. These case studies provide practical insights and lessons learned that can guide other businesses through their digital transformation journeys. The author stresses that surviving in the digital age requires a holistic approach that includes culture, process, and technology. The book argues that technology should be treated as an essential investment, not a cost center. This is a profound shift from the traditional view of IT as a support function and emphasizes the strategic role of technology in the digital era. Kersten also argues that business leaders need to understand the principles of software delivery to drive the digital transformation. This includes understanding the principles of DevOps, a crucial aspect of the transition from project to product. DevOps practices, such as continuous integration and continuous delivery, enable businesses to accelerate the delivery of value and respond to changes faster. In conclusion, "Project to Product - How to Survive and Thrive in the Age of Digital Disruption with the Flow Framework" by Mik Kersten provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the digital disruption. The book offers valuable insights and practical guidance to business leaders embarking on their digital transformation journeys. It emphasizes the importance of shifting from project to product, aligning the value stream, adopting a network structure, and investing in technology. By adopting the principles and practices presented in the book, businesses can successfully transition to the digital age and thrive in the era of digital disruption.
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2.February 2024I had a nice and candid chat with Lior regarding creating and implementing a data strategy using data mesh topology. He gave practical insights and guidance to proceed which are greatly appreciated. I look forward to continuing my collaboration with Lior.