1. Data driven growth
Set the Scene Case Study
Amazon
Data collection is important, but it is the way that Amazon transformed client insights into a new personalized service model that really drove their growth.
Amazon (Source: Stanford, “Is Big Data Too Big for SMEs?”)
Imagine you run a bricks and mortar bookstore. You’ve always been able to track the books being bought in your store. This is the data that is available to the physical retailers – you have stock levels and know how much of particular books are being bought when and for how much. But you don’t know by who. Unless you carry out time consuming surveys you have little information on the customer.
Once retailing moved online, the amount of valuable data on customer buying behavior increased dramatically and created a new era of customer understanding. Amazon transformed the traditional bricks-and-mortar retailer into and a data-driven ecommerce. Amazon could not only track what customers bought, but also what they showed interest in, how they navigated the webpage, how individuals reacted to promotions and similarities across different segments.
Later on, Amazon developed algorithms to predict which books that are most likely for individual customers to buy next. The traditional bookstore couldn’t compete.
Interpretation.
Data means nothing if it can’t be understood and used. The data collection was important but it was the way that Amazon transformed the data into actionable strategies marked the difference. The utilization of Amazon’s visitor and transactional data yielded revolutionary customer insights, which was transformed into individual targeted marketing.
“Technology does not create value, people do.”
What do we mean by Data Driven Growth?
Using data analysis and interpretation to gain actionable insights into business performance and market opportunities.
Data for Performance
Focusses on process efficiency and programme execution.
Uses predominantly quantitative output data
Has a MONITORING function
Answers the question “Are we doing things to the best of our ability?
Data for Product Development
Focusses on the design of products and services and long term effects
Uses both quantiative and qualitative data, both outcomes and impact
Has an EVALUATING function
Answers the question, “Are we doing the right things?”