At Beck’s Hybrids, a prominent player in the agricultural industry since 1937, the concept of “Speaking a Common Data Language” has become the foundation for company growth and the pivotal role data plays in that growth. With the company’s steady expansion and an ever-increasing market footprint, the volume of data collected, employed, and relied upon for day-to-day and long-term decision-making has also grown. The days of just a few individuals holding the keys to data knowledge have evolved into every individual at Beck’s accessing data insights to make key business decisions.

Recent logic changes in their dealer business model have not only influenced how they help farmers but have also structurally altered how data is viewed in the company. This has created a strategic need to ensure business and technology teams speak a common data language, establish shared responsibilities to define data and its uses, and take joint accountability for a continuous flow of communication to deliver trusted data for consumers across the company. Beck’s recognizes that building such a data culture of speaking a common data language requires a shared data knowledge catalog. Additionally, empowering its business stakeholders with self-service access to trusted data ensures continuous communication and collaboration with the IT teams on their existing data assets.

In this presentation, Brooke Gajownik, the Director of Data Services, outlines Beck’s data journey and its data vision, resulting in elevated data literacy across the organization, including elements of data trust and quality. Join to learn why the fusion of agriculture and technology is essential, especially as Beck’s Hybrids underscores key takeaways for data leaders in other industries. Understand the importance of “Speaking a Common Data Language” and fostering a data culture to ensure continued success and innovation in the agricultural industry and beyond.

Speaker: Brooke Gajownik

Director of Data Services, Beck's Hybrids

Brooke is a results-centered, people-focused data leader with over 20 years of experience in all aspects of data project management, strategic direction, and collaborative culture. She has a passion for building relationships, team trust, and transparent communication. She has been with Becks Hybrids since 2013, where she initially focused on starting a GIS initiative to bring ideas and analysis to life. As the Director of Data Services, she has built and leads a team of GIS and data analysts, scientists, and engineers. She previously enjoyed her opportunities working in county government and consulting while also volunteering on nonprofit boards for local community programs and school leadership positions. She enjoys spending time with her family, working out, hiking and reading fiction.