How to Build a Truly Data-Driven Organization: Insights from Rajan Sethuraman, CEO of LatentView

In this episode of the AI & Data Driven Leadership Podcast, host Dean Guida welcomes Rajan Sethuraman, CEO of LatentView, to unpack what it really takes to become a data-driven organization. Drawing on Rajan’s experience leading one of the world’s most respected analytics firms, the conversation moves beyond AI buzzwords to focus on leadership behaviors, business alignment, and the practical realities of turning data into better decisions at scale.

From Data to Decisions: What Truly Drives Impact

Rajan emphasizes that successful analytics and AI initiatives must begin with clearly defined business use cases—not technology. Too many organizations invest in advanced tools without first identifying which decisions they want to improve or which KPIs they need to move. When analytics is anchored to revenue growth, margin improvement, or operational efficiency, it becomes far easier to measure impact and secure long-term executive buy-in.

Leadership and culture play an equally critical role. Rajan explains that genuinely data-driven organizations set the tone from the top: decisions are expected to be supported by data, meetings revolve around evidence, and intuition is informed—not overridden—by analytics. When leaders consistently model this behavior, teams gain confidence in using data as a core input rather than an afterthought.

The conversation also highlights the growing importance of applying analytics to people management. While customer analytics is often mature, workforce analytics remains underutilized. Rajan outlines how AI can support attrition prediction, skill forecasting, and succession planning when applied responsibly, emphasizing that data must always be combined with empathy, transparency, and ethical governance.

About Rajan Sethuraman

Rajan Sethuraman is the CEO of LatentView, a global data and analytics consulting firm. With more than two decades of experience in analytics and digital transformation, Rajan has helped organizations across industries use data to drive smarter decisions, improve performance, and build sustainable competitive advantage. His leadership blends strategic vision with a deeply practical understanding of how analytics works in real-world business environments.

About LatentView

LatentView is a leading global analytics firm that partners with enterprises to solve complex business problems using data, advanced analytics, and AI. The company works across industries to help organizations embed analytics into decision-making, improve operational outcomes, and scale data-driven strategies responsibly and effectively.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

• LatentView Website

• Rajan Sethuraman on LinkedIn

Key Episode Highlights

• Why analytics initiatives must start with business KPIs, not tools

• How leadership behavior determines whether organizations truly become data-driven

• The growing role of AI and analytics in workforce and people management

• What generative AI can realistically automate today—and what still requires human judgment

• The foundational data capabilities required to scale AI responsibly

Conclusion

This conversation reinforces a core leadership lesson: becoming data-driven is not a technology upgrade—it is an organizational mindset shift. Leaders who align analytics to business priorities, model data-backed decision-making, and adopt AI with discipline are far better positioned to turn insight into sustained business performance.

Explore Slingshotapp.io to learn more about AI-driven leadership solutions, and if you’re a qualified leader interested in sharing your insights, apply to be a guest on the AI & Data Driven Leadership Podcast here.