The Executive's Guide to AI and Analytics: The Foundations of Execution and Success in the New World

by Scott Burk, Gary D. Miner

Overview

The Problem? Companies are failing to deliver on AI and analytics with over half stating they are "not yet treating data as a business asset". Over half admit that they are not competing on data and analytics. Seven out of 10 companies in a 2020 MIT study reported minimal or no impact from AI so far. Among the 90% of companies that have made some investment in AI, fewer than 2 out of 5 (40%) report business gains from AI in the past three years. And only about 25% of organizations have actually forged this data-driven culture.

Is investment lacking? No. Companies now are spending more than ever in data, analytics, and AI technologies.

Is it a lack of technology? No. There are fascinating breakthroughs occurring on all fronts with image, voice, and streaming pattern recognition on the forefront.

Is it a lack of technical talent? Not really. While some studies cite that we need to train more data scientists, developers, and related professionals, the curve of demand by supply is dampening.

Is it a lack of creating an executable strategic plan? Yes. While there has been a lot of strategic wishing, organizations lack meaningful strategic plans. Specifically, the development of executable strategies and the leadership to see these strategies brought to fruition. This is the problem.

Lack of execution and lack of incorporating key components that align and enable execution of the business strategy to delivery is killing AI and analytics programs. Scott Burk and Gary D. Miner have written this book for executives at all levels who are charged with executing on analytics that need to address this issue. The book provides unique insights into repairing the gaps that programs need to fill to provide value from analytics programs. It complements their three-part series, It’s All Analytics! by focusing on leadership decisions that augment data literacy, organizational architecture, and AI case studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032007946
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/06/2022
Pages:	138
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Scott Burk, Gary D. Miner

Table of Contents

Authors xi

1 Introduction: Sources of Failure 1

2 AI and Analytics Failure and How to Overcome It 9

What Is Execution and Why Is It Important? 12

Execution Is Integral to Strategy 14

Job #1 for Leaders = Execution 18

Execution Must Be the DNA of the Organization's Culture 21

Why Don't People Get It? 24

The Illusion of the Visionary Leader 30

Leadership Priorities for Establishing Successful AI and Analytics Programs 32

Understand Your People and Your Business 33

Eliminate the Inside Game: Insist on Facts 34

Goal Setting 35

Set the Minimum Number of Goals Possible and Make Them Crystal Clear 37

Target Goals and Make Them Operational 40

Make Goals Personal 41

Make Goals Measurable 42

Follow Through 43

Reward Program Performers 43

Expand People's Capabilities 44

A Leader's Character 45

Foundations of the New AI and Analytics Culture 52

Making Culture Work 53

A Key Driver of Changing Behavior 55

Social Operating Mechanisms (SOMs) 57

Breaking Barriers and Improving SOMs - Two Organizational Structures 60

Centers of Excellence: Remove the Cultural Divide 60

Communities of Practice: Knowledge Sharing across the Organization 62

The Power of Straightforward, Clear, Honest Communication 63

Environment for Creativity and Innovation 66

Environment for Decision-Making 68

Leaders Get the Behavior They Exhibit and Tolerate 70

The Most Important Thing Leaders Have Control Over - Hiring and People Placement 74

The People Challenge 76

Getting the Right People in the Right Jobs 82

Organizational Environment and People 83

Do This Right Now: A Fulcrum Greater than Culture - Structure 86

Developing an Executable Strategy for AI and Analytics 90

Alignment and Support of Market and Operational Strategies 91

Adaptable Strategies 93

Executable Strategies 94

Key Points 95

Internal versus External Strategies 98

Two Faces of Internal Strategy 100

Assessment and Transformation in Strategic Planning 100

Barriers to Transformation 101

Implementing/Operationalizing Your AI and Analytics Program 102

Getting Everyone on the Same Team 103

Getting People to Play Their Position - "How" to Execute 104

Knowing the Rules of the Game and Keeping Score 105

Holding Players Accountable 106

Nuances and Difficulties in the Game 107

That's Not My Day Job! 107

Special AI and Analytic Activities Become Part of the "Real" Job Over Time 109

3 The Six Foundations for AI and Analytics Success 111

Business Knowledge 111

Data Knowledge 112

AI and Analytics Knowledge 112

Technology Stack: Architecture, Platforms, Systems 113

Culture 113

People 114

Material That Contributed to This Book 115

Index 117