How Eshwarya Agarwal Is Helping Businesses Win with Smart Data Leadership

 Is Your Business Drowning in Data but Still Struggling? Eshwarya Has the Answer

We all hear it these days: "Data is the new oil." But if that’s true, why do so many businesses still feel stuck even though they have loads of it?

Meet Eshwarya Agarwal, a leader who’s changing how companies think about data. In his feature in The Executive Outlook, Eshwarya breaks down the truth that most businesses miss: It’s not just about collecting data, it’s about using it the right way.

Sounds simple? It’s not. And that’s exactly why you should keep reading.

Who Is Eshwarya Agarwal?

Eshwarya is the Director of Insights and Analytics at Busuu, and he’s been working with data for over 12 years across industries like tech, retail, gaming, financial services, and edtech. But what makes him different?

He’s not just a “numbers guy.” He’s a data leader. Someone who understands both the science and the art of turning data into action.

Data Alone Won’t Save You—Leadership Will

One of the most eye-opening things Eshwarya talks about is this: most companies don’t have a data problem they have a leadership problem.

That’s right.

They think adding more dashboards, more reports, or more AI will magically solve their issues. But instead, they just get more confused.

Eshwarya explains that without the right mindset and leadership, all the fancy tools are useless. He’s seen companies with tons of data fail, just because no one knew how to use it properly.

Real-World Example: From Skepticism to Success

In one of his early projects, Eshwarya worked with a gym and hospital chain in the UK. They were trying to reduce member dropouts but using gut-feeling campaigns. When Eshwarya introduced a churn prediction model, the team didn’t trust it.

Crazy, right?

But once they saw it work—once the results spoke for themselves, the trust came. That’s when they understood the value of data + leadership + change management.

The Big Data Myth

We often think more data = better decisions. But Eshwarya says that’s a myth. Sometimes, more data just means more mess.

If you don’t know what to do with it, it’s just noise.

His message? Start with clear goals, a smart data strategy, and strong leadership.

AI Is Powerful—But Only with Good Data

Everyone’s jumping on the AI bandwagon. But Eshwarya throws a powerful truth bomb here: Bad data = bad AI.

You can’t just plug AI into your business and expect miracles. If your data is messy or your team doesn’t understand it, AI will actually make things worse.

He recommends starting with the basics:

• Clean your data

• Build a strong data culture

• Standardize your systems

• Educate your team

Only then will AI become your superpower—not your downfall.

Data Isn’t Just for Checking Boxes

One big mistake Eshwarya sees? Companies use data as a “policing” tool. Just to prove something happened. But that’s the old way.

The new way? Use data to explore new ideas, improve performance, and spark innovation.

When you see data as a growth enabler instead of a rule-checker, you unlock real business potential.

Hiring for the Right Data Team

When Eshwarya builds data teams, he looks beyond resumes and coding skills. He hires people who:

• Are curious

• Want to solve real problems

• Can make data meaningful for the business

Because at the end of the day, tools change—but mindset doesn’t.

Why This Matters for You

Whether you’re a startup founder, a student dreaming of data science, or a business leader feeling stuck, Eshwarya’s story offers something valuable.

It tells us that:
* Data is important—but it’s useless without direction.
* AI is exciting—but it only works with structure.
* Leadership is the missing piece and it’s time we focus on it.

The Bottom Line: Data Strategy = Business Strategy

Eshwarya sums it up best:
"If you’re not treating data as a core part of your business strategy, you’re already behind the curve."

He’s not just talking about tech. He’s talking about a culture shift where data is respected, understood, and used to drive smarter decisions.

Want to Learn More?

This story is part of a powerful series called The Executive Outlook, where leaders like Eshwarya share real experiences and strategies that work.

Listen to the podcast episode on Spotify

Learn from the leaders who are actually making change happen.

#Data Leadership #Digital Transformation #Data Driven Business #Tech Leadership #The Executive Outlook #AI For Business