After a successful few days at the Dubai Smart Data Summit, Im sharing my thoughts with those who couldn’t make it,
It’s ok to say no — as a chief data officer, your role is to steer the company in the right direction, this includes pushing back when requirements are not accompanied by well-defined action. If you can’t act on it, you don’t need it! Be relentless, keep trying until you make sure the information is invaluable, well executed and clear actions defined.
Data, data everywhere, but not an insight, insight. We are enablers but also understand how data abundance will never lead to enlightenment. ‘Nice to have data points’ may make you feel data driven, but can only add to noise and distract you from taking the action that counts.
Make it simple — If a chef started explaining exactly how he made my favorite dish, I’m sure the appeal would diminish. Focus on the output, be proud of your work and share your models within the data specialists, but the moment you feel the need to add ‘x+y’ to your findings, you’ve lost your audience already.
Think KPQ’s not KPI’s — Key performance questions will help you understand what metrics you REALLY need to track . Shift the focus, be inquisitive, you can’t improve what you can’t measure, and even if you could, how would you know…
Fix up, look sharp — once your data is out there for everyone to see, quality is key! Your job is never over, constant data cleansing and quality checks is the only way to ensure your users continue to be confident in your tools. Encourage end users to be part of the DQ team to combine business knowledge, expected values and data clarity.
Finally.. i’m extremely proud of the tajawal and Almosafer team. We rolled up our sleeves, dug deep, faced our data demons and said, ‘we got this’… one year in, we are already providing thought provoking case studies — keep up the great work, team!
For flights, hotels and packages visit www.tajawal.ae and www.almosafer.com Or download our apps on IOS and Android.
