Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1471968
CIO GUIDE: REWIRING YOUR CULTURE TO BE DATA-DRIVEN 7 Organizations can promote data proficiency by cultivating a higher understanding of data as a strategic asset, while implementing processes for putting data to use. Robust training programs and more informal creative activities can spark interest among people across the organization to find new ways to leverage data for their day-to-day activities. Sponsoring competitions, hackathons, and real-world exercises will engage average business users and help them understand the power of data-driven decision-making using scenarios that are familiar. In other words, it's important to continually look for new ways to empower users—for example, encouraging teams to offer analytical models in a central marketplace so peer groups can leverage them for their own business needs. "Data proficiency is about building a bridge between the science of data and the people at the front line who are acting on it," says Vachhrajani. "Not just making them data-aware and teaching them to use these great tools, but also changing your business processes to incorporate the data into action at all levels." Data proficiency takes root with clear and consistent communication across the organization about the value of using and sharing data. Without a common language around data, it's impossible to establish the values, beliefs, and ideas that influence the culture and keep everyone on the same page. It's also important to invest in a variety of functional skills to support the broader use of data. In addition to data scientists and analysts, look to bring on engi- neering specialists, data visualization experts, and storytellers. These are people who can close the gap between analytics expertise and business expertise so they can communicate in a way the C-suite, sales- people, and operations team members can relate to and understand. "Most executives are leery of the promises of technolo- gy that sometimes create growing costs and unfulfilled success criteria," says Gabriel. "You have to be able to show how it can help the business and how it can be cost-effective in helping achieve and surpass their expectations. It's always about the cost/benefit and risk/reward ratios." Step 4: Educate and enlighten. What to watch out for Four steps for creating a successful and sustainable data-driven culture 1 2 3 4 1 2 3