Navigating the Data Horizon: Trendyol’s Data-Driven Culture

Nezir Alp
Trendyol Group
Published in
5 min readJan 22, 2024

In the ever-evolving world of e-commerce, data serves as the invisible architect, shaping the success of companies. With over 10 years of experience in the dynamic field of #datascience, my seventh year at Trendyol continues to be a daily source of amazement. At Trendyol, we witness the transformative power of #data, and it is this commitment to a data-centric culture that sets us apart as Türkiye’s Trendyol.

Unlocking the Advantages of a Data-Centric Culture

In the dynamic landscape of e-commerce, Trendyol’s commitment to a #data-centric culture goes beyond a mere philosophy — it’s a transformative force. By embracing a culture where data is the guiding light, we unlock a multitude of advantages. From informed #decision-making to streamlined processes, our data-centric approach permeates every facet of our operations.

1. Unified Vision and Communication:

At Trendyol, our Data-Centric culture unifies us through data as a universal language, enabling effective communication across all teams, from marketing to product development and customer interactions. This common language allows for swift understanding, empowering, streamlining processes and enhancing objectivity. Especially in large organizations like ours, where it reduces complexity and empowers the teams.

2. Collaboration and Collective Wisdom:

A common language creates a dynamic environment for collaboration, where ideas flourish not in isolation but through the synergy of collective wisdom. This approach sparks innovation and leads to more significant, impactful results. By embracing data as our universal language, we enable fluid communication across diverse teams, accelerating understanding, learning, and idea generation, even in unfamiliar domains. This facility allows for swift and informed decision-making, regardless of our expertise in the specific topic. Consequently, cross-functional teams achieve rapid alignment, enhancing overall efficiency and effectiveness.

3. Data-Driven Decision Making:

As I highlighted before, decisions at Trendyol are made with a data-first approach. This methodology instills confidence and trust across teams, as our strategies are grounded in solid, analytical insights rather than mere conjecture. We utilize various decision-making templates tailored for different scenarios. New team members are introduced to these templates upon joining the company, learning how to effectively use them. This becomes another facet of our unique language of operations.

Additionally, we always keep in mind that our approach is ongoing. Much like a machine that learns from small data sets before processing larger ones, we, as humans, need to adopt a similar iterative approach. The challenge of making the best decisions in complex situations can be daunting. Therefore, it’s crucial to break down these situations into smaller, manageable segments to facilitate easier decision-making.

Embarking on Our Data-Centric Evolution at Trendyol

After exploring the evolutionary steps in our data-centric culture, embodied by the fundamental belief in ‘Trust in Data,’ Trendyol sets sail on a journey guided by innovation. This mantra underpins the experiences of our Data Practitioners making data the universal language within our company.

Our journey is an ongoing commitment that extends beyond reaping the benefits of our labor. Recognizing the imperative of continuous evolution, Trendyol aims to further develop our probabilistic thinking, delving even deeper into the nuances of data interpretation. This dedication to a data-centric culture goes beyond mere benefits; it propels us to push boundaries and take intentional steps to advance and refine this culture. As we navigate the dynamic data landscape, Trendyol remains steadfast at the forefront of innovation.

Now, let’s shift our focus to present and future initiatives that define Trendyol’s commitment to strive to be better everyday and excellence. The following priorities outlined below represent some of our ongoing endeavors to enhance our capabilities in various aspects, acknowledging the necessity for advancement and growth in the dynamic landscape of data science and innovation.

Mastering Data Complexity: Probabilistic Thinking Approach

In our pursuit of a data-centric culture at Trendyol, embracing probabilistic thinking is similar to illuminating the path forward. This mindset urges our teams not to fixate on a singular conclusion when interpreting data but to acknowledge the potential for multiple outcomes. Understanding the POSSIBLE diverse interpretations, the team actively adopts a probabilistic approach, steering clear of overgeneralization and resisting the reduction of insights to a single perspective or cause. Instead, it fosters a continuous exploration of alternative insights, ensuring a broader and more nuanced interpretation of data. By adhering to probabilistic thinking, Trendyol’s teams navigate the data landscape with a commitment to exploration, open-mindedness, and an appreciation for diverse perspectives. This approach enhances the depth and richness of our insights, allowing us to harness the true potential of data-driven exploration.

Embarking on Data Integrity: Commitment to Unbiased Interpretation

In our data-driven pursuits at Trendyol, nurturing bias awareness is like sculpting an inclusive data canvas. Imagine bias as the lens shaping our data perspective — acknowledging its existence is vital for unbiased interpretation. Just as a lens can alter an image, biases can impact data, influencing analyses and decisions. Recognizing and addressing biases is the key to maintaining a fair and inclusive data landscape. At Trendyol, this commitment to bias awareness ensures our interpretations transcend preconceptions, fostering a data environment that acknowledges and mitigates biases. As we delve into bias with nuance, we shape a data landscape that authentically reflects accurate insights and fosters inclusivity

Understanding Data Connections: Unveiling Causation & Correlation Awareness

At Trendyol, we’re not just analyzing data; we’re connecting the dots between causation and correlation. Imagine data points as dots on a canvas — some may be linked, suggesting a cause-and-effect relationship, while others may simply coexist without influencing each other. Causation implies a direct cause-and-effect connection, where one variable directly influences another. On the other hand, correlation indicates a statistical association between variables, without implying a cause-and-effect relationship. Understanding causation and correlation is crucial because it allows us to make informed decisions. For example, observing a correlation between two factors doesn’t necessarily mean one causes the other. It could be coincidental, or an underlying factor may influence both. By distinguishing between causation and correlation, we enhance the accuracy of our interpretations and avoid drawing misguided conclusions. By promoting the causation and correlation awareness, Trendyol gains a navigational advantage in the vast sea of data. We’re not just observers; we’re interpreters who discern meaningful patterns. This awareness empowers us to make strategic decisions, steering clear of assumptions and fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate relationships within our data landscape. Join us as we delve into the world of causation and correlation, connecting the dots to unlock the true potential of data-driven insights.

Trendyol’s journey into a data-centric culture is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation. Beyond the initial advantages, it signifies an ongoing commitment to growth and refinement. Embracing probabilistic thinking and unraveling data connections, our evolution transcends a static approach. As we unfold this journey, we invite you to witness the limitless horizons of a data-centric culture that shapes not only our present but also the innovative future we envision.

Trendyol invites you to join us on this dynamic journey, unlocking the true potential of data-driven insights and shaping the future of e-commerce.

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