As the hype around data analytics turns to disillusionment, now is the time for management teams to take a hard look at how best to utilize new capabilities to drive measurable improvement in their organizations.

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Abraxas Group LLC
www.abraxasgp.com
DATA ANALYTICS: BEYONDTHE
HYPE
March 31, 2016
David Johnson

2. “In five years, inside the enterprise, analytics is just going
to be called ‘management’”
‒ DavidWagner, “Five Intuitive Predictions About Analytics”
Abraxas Group LLC
www.abraxasgp.com2

3. • Initially, the explosion of data
analytics tools for storing, mining,
and acting on massive data sets
(big data) drove companies to
invest heavily.
• Enthusiasm was based on
potential upside, with limited
understanding among
management teams on how best
to translate potential into reality.
New Tools, Focus on Potential
Abraxas Group LLC
www.abraxasgp.com3

4.  According to Gartner, general market consensus on “Big Data” had
transitioned from hype to disillusionment in 2014
Trough of Disillusionment
Abraxas Group LLC
www.abraxasgp.com4

5. Strategy
• “Avoiding Analytical Myopia”,
MIT Sloan Management Review
Organization Management
• “How Data Bonds Sales and
Marketing”, DataFloq
• “Why Airbnb Has a Data
Scientist on Every Leadership
Team”, Inc
From Disillusionment to Pragmatism
Abraxas Group LLC
www.abraxasgp.com5
The stage is now set for real productivity gains, as management teams
reorient themselves and begin to focus on driving measurable value with the
new capabilities at their disposal.

6. • Thirty Years Ago, VisiCalc was the
Original Analytics Dashboard
• The future of data analytics will
likely be similar: a profound
increase in the analytic
capabilities of organizations
A RealisticView of the Future
Abraxas Group LLC
www.abraxasgp.com6

7. 1) The Stage is Set. A healthy appreciation for the limits of data analytics
tools and techniques is a necessary condition to move toward broader
adoption of these capabilities into organizations across industry lines.
2) Focus on Returns. Data Analytics tools and techniques are not magic,
and well-managed companies should continue to look to invest in
projects with a defined scope and attractive potential returns.
3) Know Thyself. Organizations will be challenged to look inward to
determine how they should best make use of the data analytics
capabilities now available. Goals that lack of a solid, executable strategy
are worthless.
Key Takeaways
Abraxas Group LLC
www.abraxasgp.com7

8. • David Johnson is a career change agent who has served as interim
manager or financial advisor on over $5 Billion of distressed middle
market transactions.
• In his nearly 20 years as a change agent, David has served as an advisor,
board member, interim manager, investor and operator at
organizations ranging in size from pre-revenue startups to Fortune 500
organizations.
David Johnson
Abraxas Group LLC
www.abraxasgp.com
Email: david@abraxasgp.com
Ph: 312-505-7238
Twitter: @TurnaroundDavid
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