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.

Image provided by the Good Marketing Club.

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…