Technology leaders often talk about data transformation, but few have experienced it across multiple continents and industries. The journey from collecting information to creating real business impact requires more than just technical expertise. It demands understanding how data intersects with culture, purpose, and human decision-making. Christophe Derdeyn has spent his career navigating these intersections, from global brewery operations to Southeast Asian tech ventures.
From Global Platforms to Local Impact
Some people stumble into technology careers. Others chase the latest trends. Christophe took a different path. “My journey in technology started as a childhood fascination and turned into a career driven by curiosity, purpose and passion for impactful business,” he explains. That curiosity took him from Interbrew’s global operations to founding tech companies across Southeast Asia.
His time at Interbrew showed him something most data consultants miss completely. You can have the best information system in the world, but if people don’t trust it or use it, you’ve just built an expensive filing cabinet. “The knowledge platform we deployed globally wasn’t just about centralizing information. It was about empowering local teams to act with confidence,” Christophe notes. The difference between data success and data failure often comes down to whether people actually change how they work.
Turning Data into Action
Here’s what Christophe learned that most companies get wrong about data strategy. Having numbers doesn’t mean having answers. “The power of data is more than numbers on a dashboard. When used correctly, it’s a compass to navigate complexity,” he explains. The compass metaphor matters because compasses don’t tell you where to go. They tell you which direction you’re facing. Too many businesses collect data like they’re hoarding treasure, hoping it will magically solve their problems. Christophe saw this pattern repeat across industries and continents. “Every insight should lead to a decision, and every decision should be backed by insights,” he emphasizes. Simple idea, but most companies fail at both parts of that equation.
Interpreting Data Through Culture
Moving from European corporate culture to Southeast Asian markets taught Christophe something that business schools don’t cover. The same data that drives smart decisions in Brussels can lead to disasters in Bangkok. “During my time in Southeast Asia, I learned that data’s value multiplies when viewed through a cultural lens,” he shares. This isn’t about being politically correct or checking diversity boxes. It’s about avoiding expensive mistakes. “You can’t make strategic decisions in a vacuum. Understanding local dynamics helps us to interpret data with relevance and leads to more meaningful, respectful business outcomes,” Christophe explains. Data without context is just expensive noise. Context turns noise into strategy.
Creating Purpose-Driven Impact
Christophe’s current work in Vietnam shows how data strategy has evolved beyond just making money faster. Smart business leaders figured out that sustainable profits come from sustainable impact. “In my current venture in Vietnam, we use offshore IT services, not just to drive profits, but to change lives,” he explains. This approach creates something most businesses miss: loyal customers and communities that actually want you to succeed. “Data helps us to optimize operations, of course, but more importantly, it helps us to identify where we can create the most value for both our clients and for communities,” Christophe notes. When your data strategy helps everyone win, everyone helps you win back.
After building data systems across multiple continents and industries, Christophe’s advice cuts through most of the consulting nonsense about digital transformation. “Data is a powerful enabler, but only when paired with purpose, cultural awareness, and a bias for action,” he summarizes. Purpose without data is just wishful thinking. Data without purpose is just expensive hoarding. The bottom line comes down to understanding what data actually does in business transformation. “If you’re navigating your own transformation journey, remember that data isn’t the goal, it’s the guide,” Christophe concludes. Most companies get this backwards and wonder why their million-dollar analytics platforms don’t move the needle. Data guides decisions. Decisions change businesses. The data itself never changed anything.
Connect with Christophe Derdeyn on LinkedIn to explore how data, culture, and purpose align in business.
