Use Big Data to Make Big Changes

I love when I have a conversation that reminds why I do what I do. The kind of conversation that gets your MOJO flowing. I was in Chicago this week talking Big Data for HR at a forum that was alongside the ERE conference – lots of good people, good times, and good conversations – especially on using data to help make decisions about people.

Its great to see some of the worlds largest companies trying to get a handle on data to make decisions. But its not big data usually. Its cool, revealing – but usually not big data. Combining your systems of record is not big data. Thats just transparency.

Then I had a conversation today about analyzing work product, communications and data to better understand workplace violence or data violations. Protecting intellectual property, patents, copyrights, engineering using communication tracking, data downloads, outbound communications and leaks. AWESOME.That’s why I got into this – and sometimes I forget that. I didn’t get into data to make dashboards – I did it because with evidence comes action, and with action comes change.

I get so caught up in measuring service level agreements, metrics, targets and measures across multiple systems (which is where lots of companies are btw) that I forget to push the envelope with companies on how to use big data for REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF. Here are some examples:

1 – using GPS, EDI, health, and time monitoring to know employees are operating safely
2 – tracking communications to make stealth programs stay stealthy
3 – comparing open source programming to internal programming to protect  invention
4 – using voice based analytics to know if customers are happier

Thats whats up. Thats changing business. Protecting our people, our customers, and our ideas.

Just remember that with all evidence and data the basics will come. Profits will increase, waste will reduce, and operations will be better. They will. But remember the REALLY BIG STUFF.