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Two more execs on data analysts in the executive suite

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An insurance executive I quoted a few weeks ago in this space spoke heresy: Not only do most data analysts he’s known lack the polish for presentations to execs, even worse was too narrow a point of view for leading an organization. It’s the Analytics Gap.

To that, the prolific tweeter and data scientist @data_nerd, Carla Gentry, reacted for many others in the decision support industry: “Huh?”

“I think a logical mind is perfect for business,” she tweeted to me when I inquired. “You must see the whole picture to run a successful business. Having an analytical mind helps.”

All true.… Read the rest “Two more execs on data analysts in the executive suite”

What’s that tool? It’s a macguffin, sir

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When, when will someone write a novel about business intelligence? I can see it now. Amazon will try to sell me From Here to Analysis, Data in the Afternoon, and Lolita, DBA.

But titles are easy. Writing the novel might be tough, since the author would have to run on sheer imagination. There’s no apparent intrigue. The BI crowd plays it safe. Forget sex. The BI crowd works too hard. Forget guns. The BI crowd shoots only bullet points.

In fact, the best strategy might be Alfred Hitchcock’s favorite: the macguffin. It’s a plot element, often ephemeral, that drives the main characters to do what they do regardless of the macguffin’s value.… Read the rest “What’s that tool? It’s a macguffin, sir”

Bring in the shrinks for decision analysis

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Now comes the hard part in business intelligence: figuring out how the humans can make better use of all our data and tools for decision making, writes Wayne Eckerson, director of TDWI Research. Let’s bring in the shrinks.

When Wayne points to a trend, it’s news even if others might have already foreseen it. He’s one of the industry’s most thoughtful observers, and one of the most deliberate.

In Tuesday morning’s blog post, he suggests improving BI by enlisting those who study how people make decisions.

To take BI to the next level, we need better insights into human behavior and perception.

… Read the rest “Bring in the shrinks for decision analysis”