DAMA Edmonton

Sam Jenkins Interview | Turning Data Into Better Business Decisions

Sam Jenkins, managing partner at Punchcard Systems, discusses how organizations can turn raw data into decision‑making products that drive better business outcomes. His upcoming talk focuses on building high‑performing digital enterprises by treating data strategically, designing tools around specific decision moments rather than merely collecting information. Jenkins emphasizes tight feedback loops between data and action, arguing that superior performance stems from embedding data directly into workflows. He identifies key challenges: siloed data in traditional firms, cultural resistance to digital tools, and the need to shift from data stewardship to outcome‑focused product thinking. Unifying fragmented systems and presenting data as actionable dashboards or consumer‑facing signals can accelerate decision speed and confidence. He cites real‑world examples, such as operational dashboards that coordinate field teams and apps that surface purchase signals at the point of sale. These projects span clients across Alberta, Canada, and the United States, illustrating how data‑driven productization transforms legacy businesses into agile, digitally enabled entities. For leaders facing mounting pressure to demonstrate AI and automation ROI, Jenkins’ framework offers a roadmap to prioritize strategic decisions, redesign data collection for those moments, and ultimately create digital organizations that move the needle on performance and growth.