Deni Boncheva, director, global data strategy and culture, PepsiCo

How is your organisation using data and analytics to support the corporate vision and purpose?

 

PepsiCo will continue to use data and analytics to ensure that we can build systems and platforms that allow our associates to make smart, informed decisions at the speed of information.

 

2020 was a year like no other - how did it impact on your planned activities and what unplanned ones did you have to introduce?

 

A lot of the work PepsiCo has been doing is centred around keeping our employees, consumers and partners safe. That will always remain a priority. I think for most companies in our category, and for a lot of companies outside, this has been a time to look at our digital systems and our plans for digital transformation, and say we need to accelerate our efforts.

 

Looking forward to 2021, what are your expectations for data and analytics within your organisation?

 

PepsiCo will continue to use data and analytics to build and organise business-ready data that allows leaders to solve their problems with the highest degree of confidence.

 

What has been your path to power?

 

I built my career in data tech from the ground up. I have experience working in agencies, media and publishing as well as consumer goods. Throughout my career path, I have had the opportunity to grow and learn from mentors and colleagues along the way. I wouldn’t be able to achieve the success and “path to power” without their direction and insights. I’m looking forward to mentoring the next generation of power players in data and analytics.

 

What is the proudest achievement of your career to date?

 

Data transformation is a hot topic today and I’m proud of my ability to understand how large corporations work and navigate the needed channels to engage stakeholders and embed data into our processes to drive collaboration across channels and improve existing process.

 

Tell us about a career goal or a purpose for your organisation that you are pursuing?

 

We are doubling down on our capability in digital and the work we are doing now is so important to safeguard against the future for our success, as well as industry growth. I’m proud to be part of a team that embeds data and analytics literacy across the enterprise to raise the next generation of leaders.

 

How closely aligned to the business are data and analytics both within your own organisation and at an industry level? What helps to bring the two closer together?

 

Again, PepsiCo will continue to use data and analytics to ensure that we can build systems and platforms that allow our associates to make smart, informed decisions at the speed of information. From an industry perspective, I think consumers are going to have more data which will improve their shopping experience and help continuously improve our own operations.

 

What is your view on how to develop a data culture in an organisation, building out data literacy and creating a data-first mindset?

 

I can’t agree more with the saying, “data is not a technology problem – it is a people problem.” I truly believe that in order to embark on a data transformation journey, one of the first big steps a company should take is to bring the literacy standards across their organisation to a similar level.

 

It should start from the top senior management and make its way down the chain via academies, certification programmes, reverse mentoring, job shadowing, etc – it all plays a role. I’m proud to be part of an organisation with executives who understand the value of data and are competent in these practices.