Unicorn Farming: Building Capabilities Against the Odds (Part II) Members Public

As we reviewed in Part I [https://qstar.ai/unicorn-farming-building-capabilities-against-the-odds-part-i/], while there is much consternation about the current state of recruitment in data and analytics, the challenge is less than perceived. The world is changing slowly enough that companies have ample time to build the necessary capabilities to adapt, should

Ryan den Rooijen
Ryan den Rooijen
People & Culture

Retaining Talent: Proactivity Is Key Members Public

In his book ‘Drive [https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates/dp/1594484805/]’, Daniel Pink discusses the key drivers of motivation in the workplace. In many ways, the three drivers he identifies also represent the reasons employees stay longer in their roles: * Autonomy: Our desire to be self directed and have ownership

Colm O'Grada
Colm O'Grada

Unicorn Farming: Building Capabilities Against the Odds (Part I) Members Public

When data leaders meet at conferences, organisation structures are a key topic of discussion. Who do you report to? What teams do you have? And of course: how is your team resourced? This last question is usually met with an uncomfortable laugh followed by, “Our team’s headcount? With or

Ryan den Rooijen
Ryan den Rooijen
People & Culture

Data Visualisation for Drunks Members Public

Two months ago, I wrote an article [https://qstar.ai/data-visualisation-no-tools-required/] reflecting on how data visualisation is not primarily about creating charts, but should instead focus on effective communication through visual means. Today, I want to share one of my favourite principles for designing impactful visualisations: eliminate complexity. Or as

Ryan den Rooijen
Ryan den Rooijen
Data & Analytics

How Long Will Human in the Loop Decision Making Remain Responsible? Members Public

Fatal autonomous vehicle crashes [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_self-driving_car_fatalities] have consistently made front-page news. Journalists have mused whether we have become too complacent [https://insideevs.com/news/338543/test-shows-why-a-tesla-on-autopilot-might-crash-into-parked-car/] in accepting the capabilities of automated systems, or if our obsession with Artificial Intelligence has lead

Ryan den Rooijen
Ryan den Rooijen
Artificial Intelligence

The One Where Friends’ Least Popular Character Ended Up with the Sexiest Job of the 21st Century Members Public

Although I did not watch the American sitcom Friends [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108778/] when it originally aired, I have since worked my way through its ten seasons over the course of two years. What is interesting is that while in some ways the show has not aged well

Ryan den Rooijen
Ryan den Rooijen
People & Culture

Data Quality: You Are What You Eat Members Public

While for decades debates have raged about healthy eating and the diets supposed to enable this, over the last few years we have seen interest spike due to social media platforms such as Instagram [https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jun/27/new-wellness-bloggers-food-drink-hadley-freeman] . Wellness gurus and celebrity nutritionists exhort us

Ryan den Rooijen
Ryan den Rooijen
Data & Analytics

Teenagers: Data is the Career For You Members Public

My friend Graeme McDermott [https://www.linkedin.com/in/graememcdermott/], Chief Data Officer at Addison Lee, suggested I write an article explaining why data makes for a great career. Given that data is one of the most exciting areas to work in, I am more than happy to oblige. Currently

Ryan den Rooijen
Ryan den Rooijen
People & Culture