The notion that a business can thrive based on its founder's gut instinct is clearly past, write the authors, who propose a clear plan for the intelligent use of data to make decisions. The three authors, Davenport, Jeanne G. Harris, and Robert Morison, offer frequent examples and tips as they describe types of data, their acquisition, accessibility, and use, and show the information and potential impact data has to offer in the organization. They detail ways businesses can review how to better leverage data and how business leaders can learn to maintain the analytical focus on data. Throughout, specific strategies are described, as are potential issues and changes to watch for. Savvy and compellingly written, this will be a thought-provoking read for business owners. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Most companies have massive amounts of data at their disposal, yet fail to utilize it in any meaningful way. But a powerful new business tool - analytics - is enabling many firms to aggressively leverage their data in key business decisions and processes, with impressive results.In their previous book, Competing on Analytics, Thomas Davenport and Jeanne Harris showed how pioneering firms were building their entire strategies around their analytical capabilities. Rather than "going with the gut" when pricing products, maintaining inventory, or hiring talent, managers in these firms use data, analysis, and systematic reasoning to make decisions that improve efficiency, risk-management, and profits.Now, in Analytics at Work, Davenport, Harris, and coauthor Robert Morison reveal how any manager can effectively deploy analytics in day-to-day operations—one business decision at a time. They show how many types of analytical tools, from statistical analysis to qualitative measures like systematic behavior coding, can improve decisions about everything from what new product offering might interest customers to whether marketing dollars are being most effectively deployed.Based on all-new research and illustrated with examples from companies including Humana, Best Buy, Progressive Insurance, and Hotels.com, this implementation-focused guide outlines the five-step DELTA model for deploying and succeeding with analytical initiatives. You'll learn how to:· Use data more effectively and glean valuable analytical insights· Manage and coordinate data, people, and technology at an enterprise level· Understand and support what analytical leaders do· Evaluate and choose realistic targets for analytical activity· Recruit, hire, and manage analystsCombining the science of quantitative analysis with the art of sound reasoning, Analytics at Work provides a road map and tools for unleashing the potential buried in your company's data.
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