Senior Reporting Analyst
Senior Reporting Analyst
Data & Insights Tribe (Strategy Integration & Digital Transformation)
Works in Utrecht and from home
Lives in Almere
At VodafoneZiggo since 2019
Versatility, emphaty and ambition are three qualities that Varun Sahajpal possesses in abundance. They enable him to fulfil several different roles at VodafoneZiggo. From Senior Reporting Analyst - "the work I'm paid for"- to Diversity & Inclusion Ambassador and Line Manager for Data trainees. The common denominator tying them all together? A combination of data and people skills.
In a world of swift technological advancement, Varun's challenge is to maintain the connection between data and people. It all starts with our customers, Varun explains. "In an era that's all about delivering outcomes and experiences, I create reports and dashboards with which we provide powerful insights to our business stakeholders. This enables them to make smart decisions for our customers. At the same time, I also train business users how to use those tools effectively: to take decisions based on insights, and to assess the effects of those decisions." Working with data sometimes means making choices that are counter-intuitive, and that's disconcerting. "If we are to be a fully data-driven organisation, then we must kindle the confidence of our people in data."
Varun's roots lie in India. He had wanted to go to the U.S. in 2017 to obtain his master's degree, but the election results there prompted him to change his plans and come to the Netherlands instead. "A blessing in disguise, as it turned out, because I'm really happy here. Both in the country – I've just completed my civic integration course – and at VodafoneZiggo, which feels like home to me. The fantastic culture here is proof that the corporate's focus is precisely where it should be: on people." And he loves his team, too. "It's one of the most diverse teams in the company. In terms of background and ethnicity, but also in terms of competence. We have Data Architects, Developers, Information Analysts, Reporting Analysts, you name it. And everybody is eager to learn about each other's roles, so we can always maintain pace even if someone is off on leave thereby developing cross-functional skills."
In his role as Diversity & Inclusion Ambassador, Varun's door is always open for VodafoneZiggo's very diverse family of employees. "Even if just to offer a listening ear." Apart from his people skills, Varun also harnesses the power of data. "The wonderful thing about data is that you can make good use of it on just about anything. VodafoneZiggo is a very inclusive organisation, with lots of great initiatives. Using our annual Diversity & Inclusion survey, we gain a greater understanding of our progress in this respect. How diverse are we really? How do people in the company experience it and what challenges do we still face? I'm so glad to be a part of that."
The fact that Varun is a people person is further exemplified by his role as Line Manager for data trainees. "It's a small part of my job, but it's very dear to me. Young leadership is an important focal point for VodafoneZiggo. And in view of our vision for the future, we need transformational data-driven leadership. I see it as my responsibility to nurture that." Although as a Line Manager, he admits, data is of secondary concern. "In this role, I am first and foremost an objective sparring partner. I coach and advise trainees through their projects and on their individual development and make sure they have a great time.
The ideal future is an insight-driven organisation that is populated by people who effortlessly distinguish information and instinct. To make it happen, Varun likes to think ahead. And outside the box. It's the perfect mindset for a project about tomorrow's data-driven VodafoneZiggo, and how to achieve our digital ambition strategically. And although he's visibly very proud of what he's doing, it's too strategic to say anything more about it. "With a little luck," he smiles, "the results will be apparent within the next few years."
