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A 'working knowledge of data science' is key to leading
Professor Florian Zettelmeyer and an alumni panel talk big data analytics and management
There is a view, says Florian Zettelmeyer, the Nancy L. Ertle Professor of Marketing, that data science represents disembodied truth.
Zettelmeyer, himself a data scientist, fervently disagreed with that view.
“Data science fundamentally speaks to management decisions” he said, “and management decisions are fundamentally political. There are agendas and there are winners and losers. As a result, different teams will often come up with different conclusions and it is the job of a manager to be able to call it. This requires a ‘working knowledge of data science.’”
Speaking to a standing-room only audience at the Kellogg Insight Live event Feb. 19 at The Langham, Chicago, Zettelmeyer outlined his reasons why today’s business leaders need this essential skill set. Understanding analytics would allow leaders to judge what good data looks like, identify where analytics can add value and, ultimately, manage analytics teams with confidence.
Zettelmeyer later wove that perspective into a panel discussion on the applications of data science with Connected Sensor Solutions CEO John Livingston ’91, Salesforce Services SVP Adam Caplan ’01, OGS Consulting Managing Partner Greg Oslan ’94 and Cisco Senior Director Hardik Bhatt ’05.
Professor Florian Zettelmeyer on managing analytics
Connected Sensor Solutions CEO John Livingston ’91 on change management on the executive level
Salesforce Services SVP Adam Caplan ’01 on making analytics accessible
OSG Consulting Managing Partner Greg Oslan '94 on data security: “It’s a people problem.”
Cisco Senior Director Hardik Bhatt ’05 on the Internet of cities
Related reading:
Zettelmeyer, himself a data scientist, fervently disagreed with that view.
“Data science fundamentally speaks to management decisions” he said, “and management decisions are fundamentally political. There are agendas and there are winners and losers. As a result, different teams will often come up with different conclusions and it is the job of a manager to be able to call it. This requires a ‘working knowledge of data science.’”
Speaking to a standing-room only audience at the Kellogg Insight Live event Feb. 19 at The Langham, Chicago, Zettelmeyer outlined his reasons why today’s business leaders need this essential skill set. Understanding analytics would allow leaders to judge what good data looks like, identify where analytics can add value and, ultimately, manage analytics teams with confidence.
Zettelmeyer later wove that perspective into a panel discussion on the applications of data science with Connected Sensor Solutions CEO John Livingston ’91, Salesforce Services SVP Adam Caplan ’01, OGS Consulting Managing Partner Greg Oslan ’94 and Cisco Senior Director Hardik Bhatt ’05.
Professor Florian Zettelmeyer on managing analytics
Connected Sensor Solutions CEO John Livingston ’91 on change management on the executive level
Salesforce Services SVP Adam Caplan ’01 on making analytics accessible
OSG Consulting Managing Partner Greg Oslan '94 on data security: “It’s a people problem.”
Cisco Senior Director Hardik Bhatt ’05 on the Internet of cities
Related reading: