Below is the first blog post I wrote when I started Afila Group in 2011. It uses oranges and its slices as bits of information used to make business decisions. Over the intervening 11 years, there have been great advances in business intelligence tools and how they are used by a wide number of individuals. However, there still remains the question of whether the data that encompasses the tool is a sole version of truth and supports quality decision-making.
Adding in the factor of time constraints and making decisions quickly with data we may not be entirely confident in can bring unwanted ramifications.
My thinking around decision-making has evolved in the intervening years as I developed the idea of the fundamental force of Respect. Here are some aspects I now see as critical when it comes to using data to make decisions in stressful, time-sensitive situations.
- It's critical to do your work beforehand. Have your core datasets constructed in a way where there is a single version of truth that all can use. This foundational component will allow greater flexibility with new data that comes in that either challenges assumptions or presents new thinking. One version of truth removes a layer of stress.
- The essence of Respect is to take another look at a situation. Respect, in Latin, means to see again. Challenge whether the data you have is still valid or needs to be scrutinized because of new information or thinking. Also, allow different voices who may interpret the single version of truth in a different way into the conversation. Their different experience of the same experience could be exactly what is needed to come up with novel solutions.
- Take the time to foresee where potential stressors and time constraints can come forth so you can start the decision-making process earlier. Removing, or at least mitigating the time constraint will give you the opportunity to make certain you have the oranges you need to make quality decisions that will seem fast.
This first blog, in hindsight, was an early practice of Respecting how to look at business and leadership for me. It's fun to see how I saw things then. Enjoy the below post.
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I'm a fan of the Jim Harris blog post regarding apples and oranges of data quality. It got me thinking differently about how available data can be used and manipulated to make better business decisions.
However, I didn't specifically agree with the apples-oranges connection.
I asked myself the question, "When I look to make decisions, I wish I had more _____." I've posed that same question to many people and most of answers that come back are 'time' or 'information.' People never believe they have enough information to make quality business decisions. They want to believe they have all the information they need - a whole orange of information.
What does it mean to have a whole orange of information? Well, let's look at what companies usually have to work with.
Many times, companies have half of an orange. That half an orange provides some good information, but you know it's not all you need. Maybe there are some seeds in the orange, giving you the idea that the information may not be trustworthy.
Sometimes, you have a number of wedges in a pile, representing different datasets. You think they should be connected and that it represents what you need, but when you try to connect them into something that looks like an orange, it all falls apart.
Lastly, you can have a number of oranges with mean faces on them, disliking one another. They represent different versions of the truth, arguing about which one represents reality. The data may be old and incomplete. At any rate, discussions are centered around arguing about what data is correct rather than doing the right thing by the company and the customer.
Data delivery systems and business intelligence tools have provided various levels of completeness over the years. From green and white-lined printed reports, to Excel and Access to datamarts and large scale information delivery systems. However, they have all left business users wanting. None of these tools have worked the way people think and process information.
Reports generated inevitably bring forth more questions that require new reports that take time. These inefficiencies have led to premature and rash decisions in the name of time (one orange in a month or two oranges in a month and a day in Harris' post). However, there are some new tools that have been created that allow business users to get at the breadth of available information and work with it as they need. With thoughtful design and connection with strategies and metrics, these tools come close, it not provide, a full orange of information. Data is encased in a package that is understood. Individual wedges and even kernels can be taken and analyzed knowing that there is one version of truth and that the data sources can be trusted.
Companies that take the time to enable business users by providing them with data to use and query the way they think are driving towards competitive advantage, a more engaged workforce and products and services that more effectively meet customer needs.