(Analytics) Managers are from MARS?
We are getting smarter, leaner and most importantly more and more data driven. Every domain, every industry and every business wants to leverage the power of data. We all know that rise in computing power, decline in technology cost and advances in areas like machine learning and AI are fuelling this data driven approach.
No more "gut feel" decisions, no more mental hypothesis. So far so good!
But here is the "Big Deal". As we continue our exciting journey towards "data nirvana", we would need more and more smart data professionals to jump in the bandwagon. To be successful and to be able to reach the goal, we need the "state of the art", not only in terms of technology and techniques but also in terms of people.
People who develop data solutions, people who can think in terms of data and people who can manage the data-to-product lifecycle. For the moment, I want to focus on the last one : People who can manage the data-to-product lifecycle - Analytics Managers
Let us travel back in time and observe the "traditional" managers. One glimpse and you would realise in no time that these are endangered species and would not find any utility in the data age. Much like dinosaurs, who were great and majestic during their time but they perished at the onset of the ice age.
Thank god! else how could we humans ever come into existence.
Now coming back to the current data age, and observing the way we are gearing up for the quantum leap towards AI and Machine Learning, we need to realise that we would need very different type of people to manage the data-to-product lifecycle. People with very different skill set and more importantly very different mind set.
Smart people who work with data are, more often than not, self-managing. Process oriented approach is becoming redundant and innovation is fast becoming the de-facto standard. Here is my quick-recepie for "Analytics Managers" : What they need to be/have Vs what they don't
(1) Technologists at heart Vs Managers at heart
(2) Hands-on in the past Vs Hands-off in the past
(3) Business acumen Vs People acumen
(4) Bridge between business and data Vs Bridge between business and people
(5) Participative mindset Vs Directive mindset
(6) Facilitate innovation Vs Ensure delivery
Well, the list looks long and I wonder if we are ready to gear up for the challenge. The winds of change are strong here on EARTH and I hope, very soon, we won't have to say "(Analytics) Managers are from MARS" !
(The views expressed here are solely my own and is not endorsed by any individual/organisation)
