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Building a Data-Driven Culture: Empowering Leaders to Shape the Future

As the pace of industrial revolutions accelerates, the digital age demands a new kind of readiness—one that revolves around data. While technology and talent have been the focal points of investment for many organizations, a significant gap remains. The real challenge isn't the technology itself; it’s cultivating a data-driven culture. A recent survey among Fortune 1000 companies pinpoints the stumbling blocks—notably, organizational misalignment, resistance to data-driven decision-making, and unclear leadership roles in analytics. Without a solid data culture, investments in technology and talent risk becoming futile. Many leaders find themselves in an environment where there's resistance to change, a lack of strategic clarity in deploying analytics, and insufficient leadership support. These cultural barriers not only stifle innovation but also impede the organization's ability to compete in a rapidly evolving marketplace. Without addressing these issues, organizations may continue to struggle despite having cutting-edge technology and top-tier talent.

This workshop is designed to empower leaders with the understanding and tools needed to foster a robust data culture. Step into the role of a transformative leader who drives not just operational success but a cultural shift towards data-driven decision-making. This workshop will equip you with the insights to mould a data-centric culture that propels your organization into the future.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand what analytics is and how it creates value in organizations
• Appreciate the analytics process and how it is deployed to support informed decision making; and the role that leaders and org culture play in the value chain
• Appreciate when and how to deploy analytics under different situations…and when not to
• Understand the key ingredients to building sustainable analytics capabilities and culture
• Assess the state of analytics maturity and Identify key steps that could be deployed to advance the analytics agenda in your respective organizations.

Objective

By the end of today, you will:

1. Understand data, types of data, data analytics and its value in decision-making.
2. Learn how to handle personal data well in compliance with the personal data protection laws in Singapore; the Personal Data Protection Act 2012.
3. Learn how to integrate data analytics into your organization’s culture.
4. Develop strategies to overcome resistance and create alignment, to build and drive a data-driven culture for greater success

Outline

Session 1: Understanding Analytics and its Value: A Speech & 1st Workshop
Activity (1.5 hour)
Objective: To build foundational knowledge about data analytics, personal data and non-personal data, and the potential to drive great value from their use.

1. Presentation by Aileen Koh (30 mins):


• What is data analytics? Types of analytics: descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive.
• What is personal data? The types of personal data, and the laws on how to use it responsibly in Singapore, Asia Pacific and the European Union.
• A brief presentation of the Singapore Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA 2012) and how it applies to. Aileen’s role in the Attorney General Legal Subcommittee and the published Report on “A Model Data Code for the Private Sector” and how its findings can help organization to be data-driven and legally complaint with the PDPA 2012 in its use of data.
• How data analytics creates value: Case studies (e.g., personalized education strategies).
• The role of data analytics in decision-making across functions: From curriculum planning to operational efficiencies.


2. Interactive Activity (30 min):


• Group exercise: Get into groups. Identify areas within the school where data could improve outcomes (e.g., student performance, parent engagement, use of facilities, etc) in each group.
• Share and discuss findings in the groups and have one representative in each group present the group’s findings to everyone.


3. Q&A and Discussion (30 min):


• Address questions on analytics basics.
• Explore participants’ current challenges or successes with data.
• Discuss lessons learnt from group sharing.
• Summary of lessons learnt and best practises by Aileen.

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Tea Break (am): 15 mins
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Session 2: The Analytics Process and Role of Leadership (1.5 hours)
Objective: Deep dive into the analytics process and the critical role of leadership in fostering a data culture.

1. Presentation (30 min):


• The analytics process: From data collection to actionable insights.
• Leadership’s role in enabling analytics: Setting vision, allocating resources, and championing the change.
• The importance of aligning organizational culture with analytics goals.


2. Case Study (30 min):


• Real-world example: A school using analytics to improve student retention and outcomes.
• Group discussion: What worked and what could be adapted for your school?


3. Leadership Alignment Workshop Activity (30 min):


• Role-playing exercise: Envision a scenario where resistance to analytics arises.
• Develop strategies to align stakeholders and overcome resistance.

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Lunch break: 1 hour
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Session 3: Deploying Analytics Effectively (1 hour)
Objective: Explore scenarios for deploying analytics and recognizing when not to use it.

1. Presentation (20 min):


• Situations where analytics is most valuable (e.g., identifying at-risk students).
• When not to use analytics: Avoiding over-reliance or misuse of data.
• Know and practise good handling of personal data in accordance with personal data protection laws in Singapore, the PDPA.
• Know whether and when other countries’ privacy laws apply with regards to handling the personal data of colleagues, parents and students from other countries.


2. Practical Exercise and Workshop Activity (40 min):


• Analyze sample datasets (anonymized): Identify actionable insights (e.g., trends in attendance or performance).
• Discuss findings and their implications for decision-making in groups.
• Representatives of each group presents to everyone their findings.
• Summary of lessons learnt and best practises by Aileen.

________________________________________

Session 4: Building a Sustainable Analytics Culture (1.5 hours)
Objective: Develop a roadmap to embed data analytics into the organization’s culture sustainably.

1. Presentation (30 min):


• Key ingredients: Leadership, talent, technology, and governance.
• Metrics for success: How to measure analytics maturity and cultural adoption.


2. Group Activity (30 min):


• Conduct an analytics maturity assessment for the school.
• Identify gaps and prioritize steps to advance the analytics agenda.


3. Action Plan Development (30 min):


• Each participant drafts a personal action plan to champion analytics in their role.
• Discussion in groups: Participants share in groups their personal action plans.
• Each group representative presents a summary of the personal action plans in their group, and to everyone.

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Session 5: Wrap-Up and Call to Action (30 minutes)
Objective: Reinforce learning outcomes and inspire commitment to action.

1. Summary Presentation (15 min):


• Recap key takeaways: The value of data, data analytics, leadership’s role, and steps for cultural transformation.
• Highlight the school’s vision for a data-driven future and goals for
  greater success.


2. Closing Activity (15 min):


• Participants share one actionable insight or commitment they will implement immediately.
• Each group representative presents their group’s actionable insight or commitment, and their goals to achieve a data-driven culture.
• Aileen summarise the lessons learnt and best practises for participant as a result of the day’s lessons learnt and group activities.

Profile of Aileen Koh

Legal, Privacy, Cybersecurity & AI Risk Management Expert. Experienced in Writing, Speaking, Negotiations, Risk Identification & Risk Mitigation, How to Thrive with Artificial Intelligence: Learn the Best New AI Tools for Life and Work, How to Prevent Falling for Scams and Deepfakes, Discerning Online Content & Protecting Yourself, Personal Data Protection and Privacy in Singapore and Asia Pacific, Cybersecurity, Corporate Commercial Contracts, Intellectual Property like Trademarks, Trade Secrets and Copyright, Real Estate contracts, Wills and Trusts, Using Data Analytics to Build a Data Culture.

Aileen Koh is an accomplished legal professional with over 24 years of experience in law and data privacy, and 15 years in corporate commercial roles. She is an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore and a Barrister-at-Law (Middle Temple, UK), with an LL.B (Hons) from the University of London. Aileen has held leadership roles as Vice President of Legal in a global group of 68 entities, Legal Director of a private social club, and Head of Legal for a VC-backed tech firm.

She is a Certified Information Privacy Professional/Asia (CIPP/A) and has served as Regional Data Protection Officer (DPO), advising MNCs on Asia-Pacific privacy laws and EU GDPR compliance. Aileen has conducted over 100 Privacy Impact Assessments across 30+ countries and led investigations into data breaches across 17 APAC nations. She supports companies in developing Data Protection Management Programs (DPMPs), SOPs, and compliance strategies.

Aileen’s legal expertise spans corporate and commercial contracts, intellectual property, wills and trusts, employment law, and real estate. She has provided training on PDPA, cybersecurity, online content discernment, scam and deepfake awareness, and how to thrive using the latest AI tools in life and work. A seasoned trainer, she has conducted seminars for MNCs, SMEs, government agencies, and schools. She also teaches business writing, public speaking, negotiation, and resilience skills.

Aileen is a dynamic speaker and consultant, empowering professionals with practical legal, digital, and communication skills to manage risk, drive compliance, and stay competitive in a tech-driven world.