Is data culture the hidden engine of business transformation?

Forward-thinking companies are embedding data into the fabric of their decision-making, empowering teams, and reshaping customer experiences. From global consumer health giants to public sector pioneers, the insights shared reveal that, when data becomes part of how people think, collaborate, and lead – real transformation happens.

In this piece, we unpack they explore:

• What defines a strong data culture
• How leading organisations are doing it right
• The role of agentic AI in shaping team dynamics
• Key tips for leaders looking to turn data culture into a strategic advantage

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. 

What does data culture mean to you?

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.

How are forward thinking companies doing it right?

The most forward-thinking companies are those that treat data as a shared asset and a strategic enabler. They recognise that building a strong data culture isn’t just about tools or platforms – it’s about shifting mindsets, scaling data literacy, and aligning data strategy with business and customer outcomes. When organisations invest in these areas, they create the conditions for sustainable, enterprise-wide transformation.

We’ve worked with several clients on this journey. For one world-leading consumer health company, launching a multi-year data and AI transformation programme meant addressing low literacy and engagement across a diverse workforce. We helped design a scalable learning strategy that combined leadership upskilling, foundational learning at scale, and deep role-specific skilling. This approach not only built confidence and fluency but also helped embed data and AI into daily decision-making across functions.

In the same global consumer health company, we also supported a broader cultural shift – developing a global engagement campaign to spark curiosity, build trust in data, and normalise new behaviours. From gamified learning to storytelling and change management, the focus was on making data and AI feel accessible, relevant, and actionable.

Another client (a UK Public Sector organisation), following a data maturity assessment, identified data literacy and culture as a key pillar of their strategy. We helped them define learner personas, assess skills gaps, and build a tailored Data Academy roadmap. This included a capability framework, training needs analysis, and a toolkit to guide learning over a two-year period – ensuring the right skills were developed in the right places.

These examples show that when companies invest in mindset, literacy, and cultural enablement, not just technology, they unlock the full value of their data strategy.

How does the connection between Data, customer experience and high performing teams define success?

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 customer 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.

How is Agentic AI shaping workplace dynamics?

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 data 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.