Beyond the Data Attends MinneFRAMA 2018

Today, we’re discussing Dave and Matt’s experience at MinneFRAMA 2018, hosted by the always wonderful, MinneAnalytics.

Dave:

So Matt, we were fortunate enough to attend and actively participate in MinneFRAMA 2018 this year. The event was geared towards financial, retail, and marketing analytics, and people across the Twin Cities showed up in droves!

Matt:

Yes! This was the first event that MinneAnalytics has hosted in St. Paul and it did not disappoint. The Science Museum of MN hosted us and it was a great location.

Dave:

There’s just something about walking into an analytics conference and being greeted by a life-size T-Rex that gets you in the mood for some data crunching.

Matt:

I’m not sure it made me want to crunch numbers, but it definitely made me want to record an episode of the Data Able podcast! What an amazing view we had while we sipped our morning coffee and discussed the finer points of using data effectively.

Dave:

We were lucky enough to have Tessa Enns and Liz Weber join our show, live. They were such gracious guests. I wish we could have talked longer with them. We should probably move along with our Top 10 list from the event, huh?

Matt:

Yes we should. Since you spoke at three different sessions, why don’t you relax a bit and let me run with this one. Without further ado…

Beyond the Data’s Top 10 List from MinneFRAMA 2018

1. The Science Museum of Minnesota was a hit.

   Tons of great conversations that were helped by the fantastic space. We made music all day by ascending and descending the musical stairs. Plus, it was a huge bonus to get a free ticket to a future Science Museum visit!

2. AI was all the buzz.

   The hype is strong with AI at MinneFRAMA this year. However, the applications went deep, including discussions from the future of work, augmenting attorneys, and even AI to monitor AI.

3. The Future of data privacy regulation is uncertain, but direction is not.

   With Europe's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act in place, the general view is this only the start. Good discussion around data privacy and its present and future with Melissa Krasnow moderating a panel of experts, Tim Nagle, Erich Axmacher, and Brad Hammer.

4. Data storytelling and viz is in high demand. 

   The importance of data visualization and storytelling was a popular theme. Arlene Birt's Visual Storytelling: Putting Data into Context session was a hit and great turnout for the TC Data Viz MeetUp with an engaged audience right after lunch.

5. Not everyone needs a screen and slides.

   This is the first time where MinneAnalytics had a room that was designed to not have a screen! Lots of great sessions were held in an informal setting at the Elements Café, overlooking the Mississippi river. Great job by Josh Moe and Morgan Catlin using a whiteboard to tell their story. We also saw post-it notes and pinned print outs!

6. Sharing a meal with She Talks Data.

   The wonderful She Talks Data MeetUp held a networking session over lunch. Packed from the start, it was a popular destination. Thank you to Serena Roberts and Laura Madsen for continuing to advocate for women in data!

7. Startups abound.

   We had more startups participate in the MinneFRAMA Startup Showcase than any of our prior events. Analytics knows no company size boundaries and is often used by startups as their disruptor.

8. Getting technical.

   While Data Tech is MinneAnalytics most technical event, MinneFRAMA had many great technical sessions starting off with sessions like Joe Konstan, PhD and ending with Jason McNellis. Like all MinneAnalytics events the goal is to provide a variety of options.

9. Standing room only.

   While I can't speak to all the sessions, Jason Rogowski and Ryan Stellmaker's session around Building Marketing Analytics Capabilities, Brick by Brick was the likely winner for biggest audience - standing room only in the Omni Theater. Impressive Jason and Ryan!

10. Live podcast taping to kick things off.

    Last year we had Kyle Polich record an interview with Joe Konstan, PhD on Data Skeptic at FARCON, this year we got to interview Liz Weber and Tessa Enns on the Data Able podcast. Liz and Tessa told some great stories about successful analytics projects. Make sure to subscribe to Data Able on your favorite podcast catcher and listen to the MinneFRAMA taping when it’s released. 

So what is our big takeaway from all of this? It’s all about community!

While sessions were often full, there were many hallway conversations both between and during sessions. Tons of engagement with people making new connections and re-invigorating old connections. There was even a mini-job fair where recruiters were talking with interested persons. And of course, the day ended with good beer, good wine, and good conversations.

All in all, we had another stellar MinneAnalytics event thanks to the presenters, sponsors, and most importantly the attendees.

Until next year!

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Creativity plus Analytics equals Amazing

Creativity plus Analytics equals Amazing

Episode 008

Creativity and analytics. Think that's like oil and water? More like Peanut Butter and Jelly!

Often times, data and analytics are thought of as black and white concepts. They are the OPPOSITE of creative thinking. They provide facts, reason, and cut through the emotion.

But thinking about it that way really limits what data can do.

In this episode, Dave and Matt will talk about curiosity, creativity and the type of people that will be most successful in an analytics role. Hint: it’s the people that can think outside the box, come up with new ways to solve problems, and creatively communicate what’s going on in their organization

We also touch on the concept of “Design-Focus” and “Human-Centered Design”. It’s the belief that everyone has creativity in them, and with basic tools, can create new and wonderful things. It’s making sure that whatever is created has the end-user in mind.

It’s also important to balance colorful & whimsical design vs. modern and functional design. When creating something like a dashboard, it’s important to ensure it’s both functional to read AND pleasurable to view. Design without purpose isn’t useful.

Until next week!

Thanks and Happy Listening!

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Improve your analytics skills with... Improv?

Improve your analytics skills with... Improv?

Episode 007

Improv: The ability to think on your feet, ask good questions, and connect with your audience in a meaningful way.

Everyone wants to get better at their jobs, right? For people who use data in their work, they usually look to more technical training… Excel, Tableau, Python, R, SQL, Qlik, PowerBI, etc.

What if I told you that you could get the same, if not MORE, useful training by taking an Improv course at your local comedy troupe?

Yep, we said it. And we stand by it too. Improv helps you think on your feet, ask good questions, and connect with your audience in meaningful ways. Does that sound like something useful to an analyst?

If you’re trying to bring data to your organization, then being able to captivate your audience, communicate effectively with the person across from you, and respond appropriately and confidently goes a LONG way towards moving the needle.

Perhaps you’re asked to present your analysis to some executives at your organization. You’ve worked tirelessly on the deck and your speaking points. And within 5 minutes, the execs have asked a ton of questions, thrown off your script, and moved the conversation in an unexpected direction. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the skills to react quickly, keep your composure, and respond to their new and changing topics?

That’s Improv, baby! Go find your local comedy club and sign up for a course today.

Until next week!

Thanks and Happy Listening!

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The making of a good analytics leader pt 2

The making of a good analytics leader pt 2

Episode 006

What is the makeup of a good analytics leader? How do leaders become successful in leading analytics teams?

Make sure you check out Good Analytics Leader Part 1 that focuses on executive leaders.

What does it take to be a great front-line leader for a team of analysts?

Leading a team of analysts is a rewarding but can be challenging as well. Many analysts are great with numbers, math, code, and visualizations, but can sometimes lack the softer skills like effectively communication, project management, or requirements gathering.

These are necessary skills, and you as their leader must help them get there! But also have empathy. Recognize each person’s individual strengths and opportunities and then position them to leverage their strengths and minimize the opportunities. Recognize that your amazing SQL developer shouldn’t (and probably doesn’t want to) be put in charge of project managing your biggest deliverable.

There are also some critical skills that you might need for yourself. First, an ability to change quickly. The analytics field is shifting very quickly. New methods, new tools, your team being hired away by bigger companies with seemingly endless pocket books.

You’ll also need to be VERY good at being a champion, spokesperson, and advocate for your team, and for the work they do. Most front-line teams (and even executives) don’t really get what your team does. It’s up to you to sing from the rooftops all the ways that your team adds value.

Managing is a journey, and you won’t be good at it on day 1, but as long as you are channeling your team’s successes and put them in the best position possible, you’ll do great.

Until next week!

Thanks and Happy Listening!

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The making of a good analytics leader pt 1

The making of a good analytics leader pt 1

Episode 005

What is the makeup of a good analytics leader? How do leaders become successful in leading organizational analytics?

Whether you’re in analytics, product, finance, operations, or any other department, there are lots of good leaders out there. There are also lots of bad ones.

In this two-part series, we’ll be exploring the analytics leader, how it might be the same or different from other types of leaders in other departments, and what it looks like.

In this week’s episode, we’re going to focus on the top-level leader. The “Chief Data Officer” if you will. Whether they actually have the title, or something like “VP of Analytics”, or “Director of Customer Insights”, someone at your organization is playing the CDO-role whether you know it or not.

So where do these types of people come from? How do you become a Chief Data Officer? Do they come up the ranks of the analyst track? Or do they come from other disciplines, and they just happen to understand data as well?

Regardless of where they come from, the most important thing that a CDO-role will need to do is make sure that the organization as a whole is thinking “data-first”. This means consistently challenging the gut decisions of her C-Suite peers. The CFO might state that “We know that our customers want cheaper prices”. Do they? What data led us to this conclusion? Can the analytics leader help bring data to the table to verify?

The great leader knows how to place themselves in the right conversations, and then make sure that data is a part of that conversation.

It’s about building the CULTURE of analytics. It starts at the top, with executives, but it also means they need to lead a capable data team, and ensure that each line of business is being served and that they are capable of doing something with the data once they have it.

It’s not an easy position to be in, but it’s certain a necessary one for any organization who wants to be more data-informed.

Until next week!

Thanks and Happy Listening!

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