Lyndsay Weir, Chief of Analytics and Insight at Barilla emphasizes the importance of going beyond mere data analysis to uncovering actionable insights that drive business decisions. Her approach centers around constantly asking “so what?”—a question that challenges her team to translate data outputs into meaningful actions that impact the company’s bottom line.
Weir finds this aspect of her job particularly rewarding, as it allows her to witness the tangible outcomes of her team’s efforts, from new product innovations to strategic corporate decisions.
Barilla, founded in 1877, has evolved into a global powerhouse in pasta production, boasting a €4 billion turnover and a presence in over 100 countries. Weir oversees a diverse team that includes data scientists, analytics professionals, and insight specialists. Together, they bridge the gap between raw data and business insights, ensuring that analytics efforts align with and support Barilla’s strategic goals.
Lyndsay Weir
Weir’s career trajectory includes roles in data, marketing, IT, and SEO at companies like Nestle, providing her with a breadth of experience that informs her holistic approach to analytics.
She emphasizes the need for analytics teams to avoid becoming overwhelmed by departmental demands for specific dashboards and instead focus on projects that align with long-term business objectives, fostering impactful transformations across the organization.
Key to Weir’s strategy is securing top-level buy-in, ensuring that analytics initiatives are integrated into the company’s broader strategic planning process. She advocates for a balanced understanding of both technical and corporate aspects within her team, underscoring the importance of not only generating insights but also ensuring they are actionable and relevant to business objectives.
Despite the technical complexities involved, Weir believes strongly in the value that data analytics can bring as a center of business value rather than just a cost center. This perspective guides her efforts to manage expectations, tell compelling data-driven stories, and demonstrate the tangible impacts of analytics investments to other executives and stakeholders.
Addressing challenges in the field, Weir is passionate about building a robust pipeline of data science talent, particularly encouraging more women to pursue careers in data. She advocates for initiatives that support diversity and inclusivity in data science, aiming to broaden the talent pool and ensure opportunities for individuals from non-traditional backgrounds.
Lyndsay Weir’s leadership at Barilla exemplifies a strategic approach to data analytics that not only leverages technical expertise but also integrates deeply with business strategy. Her commitment to driving meaningful change through data, fostering diverse talent pipelines, and advocating for the transformative power of analytics underscores her impact within the industry and at Barilla.
