Why Treating Data as a Product Means Alignment and Growth for Stanley Black & Decker

Data Driven Leadership

Data should be treated as a product, not an afterthought, to unlock its true potential in driving business success.

This is the approach at Stanley Black & Decker.

Director of Data Product Development Jason Winterbottom takes us behind the scenes of the company’s data transformation. Jason shares how his team tackled the complexities of creating a unified, reliable data platform in a global organization. He highlights the importance of establishing good data governance and listening to user feedback.

Data alone doesn’t drive success—it’s how you manage, trust, and use it to create a meaningful impact that makes the difference.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why treating data as a product can drive better business value

• The role of user feedback in shaping effective data systems

• What a “golden record” is and why you need it for data accuracy

Things to listen for:

• (00:00) Introduction to the episode with guest Jason Winterbottom
• (03:27) How Stanley Black & Decker’s data governance journey began
• (08:52) The challenges in building a centralized data platform
• (13:15) Listening to user feedback to improve data systems
• (19:54) The “golden record” and its role in data management
• (26:55) Treating data as a product
• (30:10) Analogies to better understand data governance
• (36:14) How to get started with generative AI