Data Deluge

I am starting to think it isn’t just me. I tried to synchronize my iphone again last night, and it locked up failing to update and save my contacts. If history repeats, I have probably lost all of my information that will require me to reenter and recollect all of it. Troublesome stuff, annoying stuff, set your hair on fire stuff, except that this is the third time it has happened, so this time, I calmly shut everything down, and simply went to bed. I have never thought about it before last night, but there is great power in the ability to simply reach over, flip a switch, and suddenly the lights are now out. No drama, no server needed, no download time, just simply off and on.

I am sure that I am not alone in the feelings of frustration that I have toward the technology that surrounds us. Our toolbox of family experts now seems to need to include, not just a doctor, an insurance agent, an accountant, maybe a lawyer, but also now a technology expert, aka Geek Squad, to help us manage our life needs. As stated so well by friendly Fultondale neighbor and attorney Greg Morris, “When we have a problem with the VCR, we call in the Tech Team.” He added, “You know, call in the teenager.” How true! Get the agile, not quite jaded young’ un in here. They will help us figure this out!

In many cases, a fresh look by a rested bright mind can work through the problem. But, here lately, the problems with technology can be downright insurmountable. We should take a note of caution here, and “Trust not completely the things that you do not understand.” How do we harness the genie and put her back in the bottle? I do not think that we can, but we can take a moment to remember that the technology is the tool, and like all tools they should be used correctly, with training, and HAVE A BACK UP. It is staggering to see the level of dependence that we have tied into systems that we do not fully understand. In my work in the pharmaceutical industry, I have seen a large physician office literally close down for a day because the power was out. The closure was not due to heating and air, but the computers. Without clean access to paper charts, it was next to impossible to retrieve accurate, up to date information easily. The office was left to only triaging difficult care, and scrambling to get the Tech guy, elevated now to superhuman status, in “stat” to get them back online. Fascinating, yes. Funny, maybe. Scary, you bet.

The technology clearly can work for the good of business as through timely daily management of details, and data mining for opportunities. According to this weeks Economist there is actually a lot that we can expect from what is called the Data Deluge. In fact, Business Intelligence is one of the fastest growing parts of the software industry. Also, known as data mining, retailers are Masters of this. Supermarkets analyze “basket data” and tailor promotions to their customers. Online advertising is far more accurate than offline advertising, and is capable of great personalization. Government is slow to come around to using the technology to their advantage, but they do have that ability. Governor Riley has championed greater transparency in government whereby pay, contracts, and specific services provided would be public domain. Use of the data in this way would go far in building businesses as well as holding elected officials accountable.

This reality of the presence and demand of technology in our daily lives does predispose us to risk though. Stolen data, privacy breaches, theft and fraud examples abound. Rather than owning and controlling your own data, you may find that you have lost control over it.

The answer to addressing this issue according to the Economist lies in a great paradox. To have greater control of the data, you must make the data more transparent. By making the data more transparent, you by nature increase personal accountability. Market incentives will then come into play as organizations that manage data well will be favored over those that do not. Greater transparency in these areas will give people more control over their data without intricate regulation. We know that regulation stifles innovation and creativity, and creativity is what brought us to this dance anyway.

As you move into your week, take some time to fireproof your technology. You may wish to check out some recommended sources on http://ready.gov. Go to the business link for information on protecting your people, your business and your investment.

And remember, take care of your customers, or someone else will. You can find additional readings on my blog at http://businessadvise4u.blogspot.com