All posts in Analytics

These Google Trend Graphs Show The Future for Accountants

Categories: Accounting, Analytics, Big Data, Data, Finance
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The Accounting conversation has stagnated.  As companies try to keep up with shorter business cycles, they are turning to multi-dimensional transaction data, and away from general ledger data, to craft better strategies. This trend should be alarming to most finance and accounting professionals whose resumés still highlight the traditional skills of these functions. Those skills are not where the opportunities are anymore. A thin data-analytics background will begin to have an impact on the salaries of those that can't surf the Big Data wave.   Fortunately, there is Read more

How to Take On the Epidemic of Overconfidence at Your Company

Categories: Analytics, Data, Decision Science, Finance, Pricing
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From time to time one of our clients asks me to sit in on a vendor presentation for some Business Intelligence software. At the end of these demos the salesperson usually summarizes the value of the system by saying some derivative of “it allows you to make more confident decisions.” That is exactly the opposite of what the sales pitch should be. You see, in the business world there is no confidence problem. Managers across all industries are usually way Read more

7 Reasons Why The Analytical Type Makes The Worst Analyst

Categories: Analytics, Data
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It’s been well documented that there is a worldwide shortage of good analysts. That shortage will only grow exponentially in the next decade. What is not well documented is what exactly makes a “good” analyst. Many hiring managers operate under the assumption that, by definition, an analyst must fit into the Analytical Thinker persona. Analytical Thinkers are defined as left-brain, numbers-oriented people as opposed to right-brain, creative types. Unfortunately, while it would be incredibly convenient to stick to these caricature-ish definitions Read more

Free Coffee with Cream, no Analytics

Categories: Analytics, Data, Food and Beverage, Guest Analytics, Marketing, Restaurant, Revenue Optimization
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Today is a great day. It’s great because I unexpectedly got a free cup of coffee from a multinational corporation and, at least during this transaction, I gave them nothing in return, except maybe, some discouraging data. Here’s the story of my $2 coup in a cup: My father and I decided to take my two young boys to the park to drain some of their energy (if that’s possible). On the way, I asked my father to stop at Read more

With the release of the Star Wars: The Force Awakens official trailer a couple of days ago, the countdown officially begins to the biggest movie event of the year.  I proudly join the millions of geeks who can’t wait for December 18th.  As I retrieve my old Star Wars figures from the attic, I am reminded of the cross-generational wisdom that has been delivered by this great franchise throughout its 38 year run.  More important, I now even recognize the Read more