Forward-thinking companies are embedding data into the fabric of their decision-making, empowering teams, and reshaping customer experiences. The insights shared reveal that, when data becomes part of how people think, collaborate, and lead – real transformation happens.
In this piece, they explore:
Whether you’re a data leader, a curious innovator, or someone driving change in your organisation, this is a must-read. Dive in and discover how data culture is the key to unlocking an organisation’s full potential.
Data culture is about a shared set of values, behaviours and practices that shape how an organisation engages with data for decision-making. It is about how an organisation thinks and behaves around data, not just in technical teams, but across marketing, operations, and leadership. A strong data culture is where data is trusted, accessible, and used to drive decisions at every level. It means creating an environment where people are empowered to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and use data to improve outcomes.
The most forward-thinking organisations treat data as a shared asset and a strategic enabler. They understand that building a strong data culture goes beyond deploying tools or platforms – it requires a shift in mindset, a commitment to scaling data literacy, and alignment between data and AI strategy with business and customer outcomes.
Successful transformation efforts often begin by addressing gaps in literacy and engagement across diverse teams. Scalable learning strategies that combine leadership development, foundational education, and role-specific skilling help build confidence and fluency. This enables data and AI to become part of everyday decision-making across functions.
Cultural enablement is just as critical. Organisations are increasingly using creative engagement techniques-such as gamified learning, storytelling, and targeted change management-to spark curiosity, build trust in data, and normalise new behaviours. These approaches make data and AI feel accessible, relevant, and actionable for everyone.
Many companies also start by assessing their data maturity and identifying culture and literacy as strategic priorities. Defining learner personas, mapping skills gaps, and building tailored learning roadmaps-such as Data Academies-can accelerate progress. These roadmaps typically include capability frameworks, training needs analyses, and toolkits to guide learning over time, ensuring the right skills are developed in the right places.
Ultimately, organisations that invest in mindset, literacy, and cultural enablement—not just technology-are the ones unlocking the full value of their data strategy.
When data is aligned with customer experience, it becomes a powerful tool for delivering more relevant and personalised experiences. High-performing teams are those that understand how to use data to interpret business needs, test ideas quickly, and measure impact. This creates a feedback loop where teams learn faster and deliver more value for both the customers and the business.
Agentic AI is shifting the way teams work by introducing systems that can learn, adapt, and act autonomously. Agents aren’t just tools – they’re autonomous systems that can plan, decide and collaborate. Integrating them into teams requires a cultural shift. Teams need frameworks to build trust, confidence to delegate tasks to AI where appropriate, and learn how to work alongside agents for collaboration. When done right, agentic AI enhances team performance, frees up time for strategic thinking, and reshapes how decisions are made.
For those looking to leverage data culture as a strategic advantage, here are 8 leading tips for infusing a data-powered culture:
Lead by Example: Culture change needs visible commitment from the top. When executives use data in their own decisions, it signals its importance across the organisation.
Democratise Access: Make data accessible and actionable for everyone, not just data scientists.
Celebrate Curiosity: Reward experimentation and learning – even when it doesn’t lead to immediate success.
Embed data across functions: Make data part of how every team works, break down silos and give teams the tools to explore data independently.
Build trust and transparency: Invest in governance and transparency to ensure data is reliable, easy to access and people believe in the data they are using.
Invest in literacy: Equip people and teams with the skills and confidence to use data effectively.
Align with outcomes: Use data to drive decisions that improve business goals.
Champion diversity: Diverse teams bring broader perspectives, challenge bias, and build more inclusive data solutions.
For additional Resources by Capgemini:
Data Culture:
Data and Tech: The future of commerce is connected (Part 3: Embed Data within the business) : https://www.capgemini.com/insights/expert-perspectives/data-and-tech-the-future-of-commerce-is-connected/
Agentic AI:
Agentic AI for Enterprise by Capgemini : https://www.capgemini.com/solutions/agentic-ai-for-enterprise-by-capgemini/
Business, meet Agentic AI : https://www.capgemini.com/insights/research-library/business-meet-agentic-ai/
Rise of Agentic AI: How trust is the key to human-AI collaboration : https://www.capgemini.com/insights/research-library/ai-agents/
