People + Data (Part One): Let's Talk Data

[LDuane]

Part One of Three: Embracing the Power of People + Data

Every company has two important assets in a very vital equation: people and data. Understanding how these two elements fuse together can set free tremendous value for you and your company. We so often settle for a singular, dominating version of truth, not necessarily based in any kind of data. We find ourselves governed by familiar maxims like: “We have always done it this way.” It starts with a statement like “my gut tells me to do this,” or “So and so says they do it this way. We should too.”

When we don’t embrace people—their perspectives, insights, and knowledge, we risk the possibility of being held back by limited information, or data. So, what does hearing new ideas look like?  What do we gain when we allow others, with different backgrounds and experience, to have a voice? It’s integral that we challenge our thinking.  Challenge our gut.  Challenge the fact that we have always done it this way.

Let's Shift

Let’s Talk Data

Now, for the first part of this equation – let’s talk ‘Data.’ Companies not seeing data as an asset manifests into a reality for many organizations. Data is messy.  It can be hard to get to.  Some are not allowed to get to it.  Others feel they do not have the skills to use it.  Yet, data remains the fuel that enables us to measure and track progress because if you don’t measure it, you can’t change it. Data is powered by people, specifically, business people who ask questions.  Easy questions and hard questions.  And they keep asking question finding answers with data.  Lots of data. So, what can you do?

Let's Talk Data

In this three-part series, follow along with us as we explore the possibilities of embracing people + data to create a truly powerful analytics culture based on my experiences here at Alteryx. Stay tuned for next week, as we add the other most important part of the question, people.