Data Consultant Playbook: From Code to Business Impact
Building a thriving independent practice - Tony Zeljkovic and Juan Manuel Perafan
Being a top tier data engineer is no longer enough to win clients. As technical tools become commoditized, the real superpower is turning data infrastructure into measurable revenue. In this episode Tony and Juan shares the unfiltered realities of data consulting. We will explore how to spot market trends, earn executive trust fast, and build a profitable consulting business without sleazy sales tactics.
Whether you are looking to launch your own consultancy or simply want to elevate your influence inside an enterprise, this conversation will change how you approach your technical craft. They breaks down the practical frameworks from his upcoming book to help you bridge the gap between data engineering and executive buy in.
They'll cover:
Adapting your skills to stay relevant in the age of AI and automation
Fast tracking trust and onboarding quickly in new enterprise environments
Speaking the language of the CFO to translate architecture into business ROI
Growing an independent practice from organic lead generation to clean handovers
About the Speakers:
Tony Zeljković is a hands-on AI & data platform consultant specializing in healthcare, life sciences, and insurance. At his consultancy, Narona Data, he works directly with organisations to architect and deploy scalable, automated, cloud-native data & AI systems.
With a strong background spanning bioinformatics, clinical genomics, and large‐scale data infrastructure, Tony builds platforms that are compliant (HIPAA/HITECH, ACMG), cost-efficient, and tailored for growth. His work often supports enterprise-level outcomes unlocking revenue, improving operational intelligence, and enabling innovation through applied AI.
Fluent in both technical and business domains, Tony bridges data engineering, software development, machine learning, DevOps and DataOps to turn complex data challenges into tangible value. He collaborates with clients as a strategic partner, helping them leverage AI-enabled infrastructure to advance their competitive edge.
Available for consulting engagements, Tony is committed to solving pressing business challenges through modern data and AI architecture.
Juan Manuel Perafan is an analytics engineer, educator, and community builder based in Utrecht. He’s the co-author of Fundamentals of Analytics Engineering, host of the SQL Lingua Franca podcast, and a dbt Community Award winner. Juan founded the Analytics Engineering Meetup Netherlands and the Dutch dbt Meetup, and has spoken at events like dbt Coalesce, Linux Foundation OS Summit, and Big Data Expo NL.
DataTalks.Club is the place to talk about data. Join our Slack community!