Category: Business
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When to Build In-House vs Hire Consultants: A Cost-Benefit Framework
Your VP of Engineering wants to build everything in-house. Your CFO wants to hire consultants for everything. They’re both at your desk arguing their case, and you’re caught in the middle trying to figure out what actually makes sense for your business. They’re both right. And they’re both wrong. The decision to build in-house vs…
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When Companies Actually Need AI Teams (And When They Don’t)
Most companies building AI teams in 2025 are making a $500K mistake. They’re hiring data scientists and ML engineers because their competitors are doing it, or because their board asked about “our AI strategy” or because it feels like the thing you’re supposed to do. Unfortunately, the majority of companies building AI teams don’t actually…
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The Real Cost of Building an AI Team: Budget Reality Check
You’ve got budget approval to build an AI team. The exec team is excited. Your CFO just signed off on $500K for Year 1. Seems like plenty, right? That $500K budget covers maybe 2-3 people if you’re lucky. And that’s before infrastructure costs, recruiting fees, training, and all the hidden expenses that pop up once…
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What Hiring Managers Actually Look For in Data Engineers
The Real Story Behind Data Engineering Hiring The job market for data engineers is brutal right now; layoffs, hiring freezes, and 200+ applicants for every decent role. But some candidates still get offers within weeks. What’s the difference? It’s not always the fanciest credentials or the longest list of technologies. It’s something more fundamental, and…
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Data Governance Without the Bureaucracy: A Practical Approach
A lightweight governance framework for startups and mid-size companies that maintains data quality and compliance without killing agility and innovation.
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AI ROI Calculation: How to Actually Measure AI Project Success
Create a framework for calculating true AI ROI including hidden costs, time-to-insight metrics, and the reality of 12-24 month timelines. Includes downloadable calculator template.
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Build vs. Buy for Data Products: A Decision Framework
A practical decision-making framework covering total cost of ownership, time-to-value, maintenance overhead, and when custom solutions actually make sense.
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Building a Data Team from Scratch: Hiring, Structure, and Culture
A practical guide to hiring data engineers, analysts, and scientists, with insights on team structure, compensation benchmarks, and building an effective data culture.
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Common AI Implementation Costs
If you’re thinking about jumping on the AI bandwagon, that could be a smart move. But before you start dreaming about robot assistants handling all your mundane tasks, let’s talk frankly about what this AI adventure is actually going to cost you. Spoiler alert: it’s probably more than you think, but don’t let that scare…
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Why Data Culture Matters
Building a data-driven organization isn’t about tools – it’s about culture. Here’s why data culture matters and how Tableau can help enable it.
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Book Review: Big Data – Understanding How Data Powers Big Business
Synopsis: A guide for managers to plan for incorporation of Big Data and Analytics in their company. Difficulty: Not really applicable. After reading through “Big Data”, I had to go back and read it again. Not because it was confusing or poorly laid out, but because I had a hard time understanding how author Bill Schmarzo managed…