The Anti-Best Practices Manifesto: Forging Your Unique Data Strategy
“Best practices are bullshit.”
There, I said it. And you know what? After a decade knee-deep in data, I stand by it. I’ve cofounded a BI startup (and, yeah, failed), led data teams as a PM, and talked to more data founders than I can count. Through it all, one thing has become crystal clear: blindly following “best practices” in data strategy is a surefire way to mediocrity.
Let me paint you a picture. Remember Ford’s Edsel? That $250 million flop from 1957? They did everything by the book — solid market research, best practices, and the works. And it still tanked. Why? Because sometimes, the “best practices” are anything but.
In the data world, we’re facing a similar problem. Everyone’s parroting the same old strategies, following the same playbooks. But here’s the kicker — what works for Netflix might just sink your ship. It’s like trying to find an ATM in Cebu by asking yes-or-no questions in English. You’re using the wrong method for the task at hand.
So, buckle up. I’m about to take you on a journey through what I call the “Anti-Best Practices Flywheel.” It’s not about following the crowd; it’s about forging your own path. By the end of this article, you’ll have the tools to create a data strategy that’s as unique and effective…
