On My Mind
An Analytics Team (A Team) is often tasked with developing an organization’s analytics and big data capabilities, but “Where should team members start?” Here are three startup activities they might consider: 1) Create an analytics vision for the organization so the future state is clear; 2) Conduct an analytics assessment in the form of a SWOT analysis to identify the organization’s analytics strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats; and 3) Develop an analytics roadmap for the organization to structure and guide analytics activities. Getting off to a fast start is important because strong analytics and big data capabilities can possibly lead to a new source of competitive advantage and/or a new area of organizational competence. You can learn more about developing analytics and big data capabilities by reading my research report on Quality, Analytics, and Big Data. It is available on the RESEARCH Page of this website. Best wishes on your analytics and big data journey.

Interesting Stories
Sometimes going old school can defeat a new technology! The use of drones is becoming more popular — in some cases more dangerous around airports and more annoying around private weddings. Try doing a Google search for “eagle attacks drone Netherlands” and you will learn how the Dutch National Police Corps has launched a new initiative in partnership with a company named Guard from Above to train eagles to capture small drones. Who knows, it just might save some lives.

Company News
The ten day public Strategic Improvement Black Belt course starts July 11, 2016. Please contact me at charles@sisliedtke.com if you would like to receive a brochure. The Eighth Annual Advanced Strategic Improvement Practices Conference will be held in late September or early October. The schedule and brochure will be available soon.

Intriguing Reads
Here are six words that summarize where many world class organizations are allocating resources and efforts: platforms, IoT (internet of things), digital, mobile, cloud, and social (media). There is a new book by S. C. Moatti that nicely describes the mobile component of this new phenomenon. It is titled, Mobilized: An Insider’s Guide to the Business and Future of Connected Technology. I especially liked the author’s insights on how to design an effective mobile product from learning, meaning, and beauty perspectives.