How Max built a data-driven org at preset

I recently listened to a great interview with Maxime Beauchemine, CEO of preset.io. Here are a few takeaways:

• Use of Modern Data Tools: Maxime emphasized the importance of choosing the right tools and services early on to avoid chaos across teams. For Preset, he leveraged modern, pay-as-you-go tools like BigQuery, Fivetran, DBT, and Airflow to assemble a scalable data platform quickly without needing to build everything in-house.

• Cloud-Native Approach: He explained how Preset, as a "data-native" company, utilized the flexibility and scalability of cloud services, allowing them to scale effortlessly by adopting cloud-native solutions like BigQuery and AWS tools from the start.

• Open Source Adoption and Evangelism: His strategy included using open-source tools (Apache Airflow and Superset) to solve internal data problems while also contributing to the broader data community. He evangelized Airflow and Superset to ensure wide adoption, focusing on community-driven innovation. (yeah I mean, we know. Obviously…)

• Decentralization and Democratization: Maxime noted how modern companies benefit from decentralizing decision-making, allowing teams to choose tools and frameworks that best suit their needs. This fosters innovation and speeds up implementation but also requires careful management to avoid chaos.(I think this is like key, Prio 1.)

• Rapid Data Pipeline Development: At Airbnb, Maxime quickly moved from concept to production, building data pipelines, dashboards, and data marts with Airflow, showcasing the speed and agility of assembling modern data systems.

• Scalability and Flexibility: By relying on a modular, flexible architecture, Maxime enabled Preset to grow fast and remain nimble, incorporating more complex tools like reverse ETL systems (e.g., Hightouch) and orchestrators (e.g., Airflow) as the company scaled.

https://www.firebolt.io/blog/how-preset-built-a-data-driven-organization-from-the-ground-up-podcast