8

Feb

2016

A Clear View of What You Can Achieve with Big Data

Big Data – what does it mean?  Ask 5 people, get 5 different answers as it means many different things to different people. I do believe in Big Data and the value that can be achieved as data driven decisions and applications create immense value by utilizing data sources to discover, present and operationalize important business insights.  However, what I am seeing in the marketplace is confusing as every tech company claims to have a solution for analyzing the huge amounts of data businesses create. I challenge this reality … Do these tech companies really know how to use this data?  Or are they jumping into the hype and creating what is now being dubbed “Hadumps” and “Data Swamps”?   

Here is my belief … data on its own is meaningless – period. The value of data is not the data itself – it is what you do with the data.  For data to be useful you first need to know what data you need, otherwise you just get tempted to know everything and that is not a strategy, it’s an act of desperation that is doomed to end in failure. Why go to all the time and trouble collecting data that you won’t or can’t use to deliver business insights? Focus on the things that matter the most otherwise you’ll drown in data. Data is a strategic asset but it’s only valuable if it’s used constructively and appropriately to deliver results.  


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28

Jan

2016

The power of Predictive Analytics

The Power of Predictive Analytics – Universities are turning to new data sources to identify those students who need a nudge toward success.  The promise of predictive analytics in higher education continues to entice--for good reason, it can change student and University outcomes.

In this discussion we will look at why most institutions are struggling to leverage the traditional data points they gather about students - let alone the other data sources needed to ensure actionable insights around student attraction, progression and retention. Second, we will examine why a data mix that works at one school may not be relevant at another, making it almost impossible to buy an effective packaged solution off the shelf – discussion will center on what options are available. Finally, the creepiness factor - Just how intrusive can schools be in tracking the actions of their students?  We will discuss how to protect student level data.

Or find out more at the Association of Collegiate Computing Services of Virginia

Annual Conference: March 16 - 18, 2016
http://accs2016.sched.org/event/5fHi

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5

Mar

2015

Value – the 4th “V” in the Big Data Buzz

Big data is like a fashion trend: You can't turn around without seeing yet another magazine article, research report or talking head pontificating on why you can't live without it. In this case, however, the trend-pushers have a point. Case studies at the Gartner Business Intelligence Summit added to a growing body of evidence that a company's ability to collect, process and analyze large data sets could mean the difference between success and failure. Leadership -- on the IT and business side -- is key.
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12

Feb

2015

If you're pumping big data into old business thinking, you're doing it wrong

Conversely, if your big data projects aren't blowing up your current business processes, then you too are doing it wrong. You have to hit the reset button on everything from your company strategy and processes to what you think you know about your business.

Yes, big data means a complete reinvention of your business--if not immediately than shortly. It may be messy and it may require your CEO to wear the brown pants for much of the trip, but reinvention is necessary if it is true competitive advantage that you seek.
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Number of views (10975)
Article rating: 4.0

17

Dec

2014

Big Data and Business Process

If you act on most or all of your big data analysis, odds are that those actions will eventually change how business leaders think and how the business operates. Here is how that works and why it's a great thing to happen!

Most companies turn to big data to understand their customers and improve advertising and marketing investments. It's a great place to start in big data. But in the course of learning who their customers are, how they behave, and what they like, companies inevitably also discover that a few tweaks to their own internal processes can successfully entice customers and increase profits too!
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Article rating: 5.0
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