#398 Building Value in Big Data: Tommy Ogden’s Take on Analytics, Frameworks, and AI

The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we sit down with Tommy Ogden, Director at Activera Consulting, to explore the intersection of analytics, frameworks, and AI in driving value within the big data landscape. Tommy, a seasoned consultant with experience across both boutique and big-name firms like Accenture, shares insights into why he returned to the world of boutique consulting, where agility and flexibility are key to rapid and impactful transformations.

Tommy dives into his journey from the energy sector to leading consulting projects for major oil and gas clients, emphasizing the unique benefits of working in a smaller, more agile consulting firm. He discusses how Activera Consulting focuses on tailoring frameworks and applying structured approaches to solve client-specific problems, particularly in the context of digital transformation. For Tommy, consulting is about balancing structure with the flexibility to meet the evolving needs of clients, and he details how design thinking and empathy play crucial roles in creating solutions that work for each business’s unique challenges.

The conversation takes a deeper turn as Tommy explains Activera’s innovative framework recommendation engine, designed to help consultants choose the right framework based on specific project variables. He also touches on his approach to measuring the ROI of digital transformation efforts, drawing an insightful analogy to venture capital where constant tracking of business impact is crucial.

With the rapid adoption of AI technologies, Tommy shares his perspective on how AI is reshaping the consulting industry itself. He explains how AI tools can serve as a “copilot” for consultants, offering fresh ideas and enhancing problem-solving processes. He also highlights the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into traditional consulting roles, underscoring that while AI can enhance certain aspects, human-driven empathy and strategy remain irreplaceable.

As the conversation wraps up, Mehmet and Tommy discuss future trends in consulting and big data, from the continued rise of AI to the critical role of structured analytics in value creation. Join us for this insightful conversation packed with practical advice on using analytics, frameworks, and AI to drive value in today’s data-centric world.

About Tommy:

Tommy is the Co-Founder and Agility & Analytics Lead of Activera Consulting. He has 20+ years of consulting and business experience in energy and technology. He has earned certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP), Professional Scrum Master (PSM), and SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC). Tommy also holds two Master degrees in business administration – an MBA and a Master of Global Management in International Business & Consulting – and has most recently worked for two Fortune 20 companies in both the technology and energy industries.

https://www.activeraconsulting.com/frameworkfindings

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommyogden/

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:12 Tommy Ogden's Professional Journey

02:53 Boutique vs. Big Firm Consulting

05:27 Importance of Frameworks in Consulting

08:38 Balancing Flexibility and Structure

10:01 Digital Transformation in the Energy Sector

12:44 Pre-Product Development Best Practices

18:09 Overcoming Resistance to Change

25:02 Integrating Analytics for Business Impact

25:34 Simplifying Technology Communication

28:20 Value Tracking in Analytics

30:35 Implementing Value Tracking

34:00 AI in Consultancy

39:50 Future of Consultancy

45:24 Conclusion and Contact Information