This year, we have launched the Citizen Data Analyst Program to make data skills accessible across the MOL Retail organization. This initiative helps colleagues turn insights into action, fostering a culture where data-driven decisions become part of everyday work.
Over the past few years, MOL’s Consumer Services Data Lake has grown into a rich source of customer and business information. This opens up incredible opportunities to make smarter, faster decisions. But data alone isn’t enough, its true value comes when people across the organization can interpret and apply it effectively. Recognizing this, we created the Citizen Data Analyst Program: a strategic initiative designed to democratize data capabilities and build a strong data-driven culture across our retail operations.
In today’s fast-changing market, decisions need to be informed by facts, not assumptions. Whether it’s optimizing loyalty programs, refining marketing campaigns, or improving operational efficiency, data-driven insights can make a real difference. However, technical and analytical skills have traditionally been concentrated in specialized teams. The Citizen Data Analyst Program bridges this gap by equipping colleagues in key functional roles with the tools and confidence to work with data directly.
The program focuses on newly established functional analyst roles in Marketing, Loyalty, Sales and Operations, and Offer Management. Twenty-five participants from different MOL Group entities joined, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise. Oftentimes, initiatives like this share one attribute that sets them up for failure: the lack of application of the acquired new knowledge. In order to make sure we avoid this, capstone projects were defined as one of the key pillars of the Program. Each participant started to work on a capstone project aligned with their manager’s priorities, ensuring that learning translated directly into business impact. These projects ranged from customer segmentation and campaign performance analysis to operational process optimization, real challenges with real results.
To make the learning journey personal for everyone, participants completed a skill assessment that shaped their individual personalized training plans. With curated courses on Datacamp, they collectively logged over 710 hours of learning, and their licenses remain active for continued growth. Our experience was that having a widely known and loved platform that focuses on providing learning materials for data related skills was really well received by the participants. Besides the self-paced way of learning, we decided to add a third pillar as well: two dedicated in-person workshops added depth. One on MOL’s Data Lake infrastructure and platforms, and another on data storytelling to influence decisions. In addition, weekly office hours and on-demand support ensured that participants could confidently apply their new skills in real-world scenarios.
Beyond technical skills, the program fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing. Participants regularly exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and celebrate successes. This sense of community is essential for sustaining a data-driven culture, because data isn’t just about numbers, it’s about people working together to make better decisions.
The most impactful projects will be showcased to the Group Retail Leadership Team, giving participants recognition and visibility. This program is more than training, it is a commitment to turning data into decisions and empowering colleagues to unlock the full potential of MOL’s data assets.
The Citizen Data Analyst Program is a step toward a future where data-driven thinking is part of every decision. By investing in people, we are building a stronger, smarter MOL, one insight at a time.
