The Magic is in the Data: Analytics at Santa's Workshop

Mining Your Own Business Podcast

Today’s very special guest joins us all the way from the North Pole. Elf is the Head of Data and Analytics at Santa’s Workshop. Elf and Evan discuss how the elves got into data analytics to solve complex problems, from toy manufacturing to efficient delivery routes. Elf describes how data analytics has changed over the centuries that he’s worked at Santa’s workshop. He also provides insight on increasing buy-in from key stakeholders. Evan and Elf wrap up by discussing Elf’s vision for the future of analytics to increase the amount of joy and cheer spread throughout the world. Tune in for an exclusive look into the magic of Santa’s Workshop!

Key Takeaways:

🎁 How to ensure buy-in from stakeholders by centering them in the process

🎁 How Santa’s workshop tackles route optimization

🎁 Why data is needed to adapt to evolving business challenges, from chimney shortages to toy demands

🎁 Current challenges that Santa’s workshop faces and how they hope to solve them

Quotes:

💬 “If we're not able to measure some improvement in what the data and analytics are able to do, then it's really hard to get that buy-in from the stakeholders.”

💬 “And it's really the data that we collect year over year, and we also do some third-party data acquisitions to understand some of these changing trends, but the data is really helping to drive those delivery decisions.”

💬 “I would really like to focus on that last mile, the most difficult children to deliver to, to make sure that every child that is hopeful of a Christmas gets something under their Christmas tree, something that they can open to have a little bit of magic there on Christmas morning.”

Featured in this episode:

Evan Wimpey

Director of Analytics Strategy at Elder Research.
Company website: www.elderresearch.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-wimpey-40469b47

Elf

Head of Data and Analytics at Santa’s Workshop

Elf is the Head of Data and Analytics at Santa's Workshop and is passionate about using data to spread joy and cheer. He has extensive experience leading his team at the North Pole location for the past 1,145 years. He has a background in retail management and carpentry. In his free time, he enjoys collecting vintage candy canes and watching Lord of the Rings.
00:00 Introduction
01:02 Elf’s background in data analytics
03:37 Scope of data analytics in the business model
05:54 How have data analytics problems evolved over centuries of work?
08:03 Ensuring buy-in from stakeholders: creating analytics champions
12:07 Do freezing temperatures affect computing?
14:08 If Elf could tackle one analytics question, what would it be?

Find more show notes, transcripts, & more episodes at:
https://www.elderresearch.com/resource/podcasts/