A Bold Move in Big Data: Bring it to the Masses
A whole lot of data is a great thing for businesses and pretty easy to acquire. Knowing what to do with it, however, can be pretty hard. Using the resources already at their disposal -- like their employees -- businesses can make big data decisions quicker and more effectively.The data-verse has expanded enough that most people have heard the term “Big Data.” Regardless if they know what it means, Big Data affects their lives on a daily basis.Whenever we like, retweet, or search for something, we are creating a more perfect picture of who we are online. And companies use this information to better tailor their services and products to their customers. Right now, though, most executives see Big Data as a tool to improve the customer experience. And routinely, Big Data dashboards -- the tools for visualizing large amounts of data -- are for executives’ eyes only.
Big Data Here, Big Data There
Initially, social media platforms kept their analytics tools only in the hands of the most powerful of users, as valuable insights and actionable information informed only a small set of a wider population. And early iterations of analytic tools presented data in a way that only those steeped in it day in and day out could understand easily.Eventually, platforms like Twitter and Facebook realized that providing all of their users with this valuable data improved everyone’s experience on the platform. Burgeoning social media mavens and tweeting grandmas alike can see just how their Facebook page is performing.
Big Data Everywhere
It’s time to bring Big Data down from the corner offices. Executives aren’t the only ones who can use Big Data dashboards to improve their workflows and achieve their goals. Employees value open communication, and sharing data is a great way to get the ball rolling.Instead of handing down a directive, executives can empower their colleagues to make informed decisions. A loan officer can use data visualisation of an applicant to determine whether or not they’d be a risky loan. Loading dock managers can streamline operations in their warehouses with aggregated knowledge of the time to unload and each product’s unique specifications.When companies turn to big data for improvement, they need to take everyone into account. It’s not enough for just executives to understand the information in front of them. Every employee should be able to read a dashboard and know how to change their workflow accordingly. Otherwise, mountains of data will remain unmoved as a firm propels forward.