By Ash Patel – CDMP, Marketing Specialist, The Open Group
Recently, we reached out to Jamie Cruise of SLB, to discuss his role as a vendor representative to The Open Group OSDU® Management Committee.
- Please tell us about your occupation and what made you get into your line of work?
I work as the Business Line Director for the Data and AI platform at SLB. I’ve been working with building data pl
atforms since the early 90s, and I think it’s fair to say it’s a passion! I started out as a developer and along the way I have had many phases in my career including working for large companies, as a consultant, and running my own business.
- Please can you describe your journey with The Open Group OSDU Forum so far?
I was involved from around the “early days”, when I was leading an independent business, and was invited to join the Forum by Johan Krebbers. In 2019, I joined SLB as have been the SLB focal point for many years. Recently, I stood for election for the OMC and am very happy to have an active “hands on role” as we go to the next phase of our collective journey!
- How important is collaboration and what challenges to collaboration do we face?
The OSDU Forum has changed the nature of collaboration in the industry as vendors, operators, and other suppliers have come together to work in the open on data platform concerns. This kind of collaboration can create enormous value for our customers, and is the right and healthy was forward as our industry continues to invest heavily in digital transformation and AI.
- Are there any stories you would like to share that have shaped you professionally into the person you are today?
My professional journey is the story of learning my craft and “paying my dues” over the decades. I have fond memories of going from a small entrepreneurial company in London in the mid 90’s, selling that company to a large US vendor in 2001 and being part of the first dotcom era in Houston. I remember vividly the decision to leave that behind in 2006 and go out on my own with a new startup, which involved working long hours as a consultant in the customer’s office to fund our product development. Fortunately, we were able break through with our product development in 2012 to get larger and larger customers, and then going full circle to return to a major vendor (SLB in 2019) to realize the vision of transforming the data business at a global scale. It’s been quite a trip! And the one constant in that whole time is listening to my customers… it’s been a journey of learning how to listen properly.
- If you could develop a new type of technology, what would it be and why?
A Data and AI platform of course!
- What is a business philosophy or principle that you follow?
I have strong belief that product development should be driven from the outside-in. My opinion, while it might be interesting, is irrelevant compared to what the market tells me. As product managers, we must listen and understand the “jobs to be done” by our products, for our customers.
- What advice would you give to someone who’s looking to work in your field?
Invest in your own professional development, research your market, cut a little code to help you understand technology, and most of all … listen to your customers.
- What are you most looking forward to for the year ahead?
To continue to drive adoption of the OSDU Data Platform and the SLB Lumi Data and AI platform to create business value for our industry.
