Dolly Sharma, Director of Data and Analytics at Metyis and leader of a data practice for the HUGO BOSS Digital Campus, shares how her love for Maths led her on a journey to solve big business problems using the power of data.
Meet Dolly Sharma, Data and Analytics Director in Amsterdam.
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born in India and raised in various cities within the country. My educational background is in bioinformatics, which sparked my passion for mathematics, algorithms, and artificial intelligence. I've always had a deep love for traveling, and fortunately, my career provided me with enough opportunities to explore different cities in the United States, Europe, and Asia, allowing me to immerse myself in diverse cultures.
I first came to Amsterdam for a 1-year assignment, but within a few months, I fell in love with the Netherlands, which led my family and I to stay here for longer. This city became very special to me, particularly because my daughter was born here. She has recently turned two, and my journey so far has been very exciting and delightful. When I am not playing with my daughter, I enjoy traveling, trekking, and watching Netflix.
What sparked your interest in the world of data, and how did that lead you to Metyis?
I've always loved mathematics. During my studies in bioinformatics, I used statistics and algorithms to understand large and complex biological data. It was incredible to see how we use the power of data to predict genetic anomalies. That's when I knew I wanted to work in this field. Back then, more than a decade ago, using data applications wasn't common because the industry wasn't ready. But luckily, I found a profession where I could use data to solve different business problems.
Working in the field of consulting, I’ve helped businesses tackle various problems and improve their day-to-day decisions by using data and technology. While I focused on creating and offering different analytics solutions in my previous job, I always wanted to get closer to the implementation of data strategies. That’s when Metyis happened! During my job interview, Metyis seemed like a good place to experience that because of the company’s unique partnership model. I accepted the offer without thinking twice!
What has your journey been so far at Metyis, and how do you feel about it?
I joined Metyis in early 2017 as the first female data scientist. We were a smaller team, and we were as passionate about work back then as we are today. As the company grew, my work evolved too. From being a data science expert, I became an execution lead who leveraged data to help business leaders make decisions, which I absolutely loved.
During my time here, I’ve had the opportunity to create analytics strategies for various clients, helping them on their digitalisation journeys and transforming them into data-driven organisations. Currently, I’m leading the analytics practice for the HUGO BOSS Digital Campus (HBDC), where I help our partner generate valuable insights by leveraging the full potential of data and building the right team to make that happen.
What I particularly like about the Metyis is that we focus on strategy as well as execution to create a truly positive impact on our partners’ businesses, which is a more evolved approach as compared to traditional companies.
What guidance would you give to younger talent starting off their career within data and analytics?
To really make a difference, we need to hold hands with our clients and guide them to effectively use data solutions to make decisions. Within my team, we spend time not only developing solutions but also training our clients to use data-driven insights in the best way possible. The fact is that no matter how fancy the solutions are, they will be redundant if the business doesn't use it!
Data analytics is all about solving problems. Understand the business context, identify key questions, and use data to find solutions. My advice to young talents entering data analytics is to not only focus on building a strong foundation in statistics and programming, but also develop effective communication skills to translate insights into actionable business outcomes.