There’s no video, and even memories may be sketchy of an historic few seconds in the exhibit hall of TDWI conference last week in San Diego. The word is that Steve Swoyer, prolific industry journalist and recent reporter at the Pacific Northwest BI Summit in July, displayed the Summit’s secret handshake. That one existed at all was news even to Summit producer Scott Humphrey, who happened to see it all from across the room. Real or not, it’s strictly NDA (not for disclosure).
Archives for August 2013
People who analyze data, collaborate!
In business, we’ve got data scientists, we’ve got accidental analysts, and we’ve got a million variations in between. Dave Wells thinks they can learn from each other. To help that start up, he’s forming an organization he’s calling Business Analytics Collaborative.
… Read the rest “People who analyze data, collaborate!”The diversity and fragmentation that challenge those trying to reach this market are the reasons that community building is difficult. Our conclusion is that we need to build the community from the ground up – taking a sort of grass roots approach that begins with local meetups. By stepping away from digital overload and starting locally and face-to-face we can move away from fragmentation while at the same time finding value in the diversity of the analytics space.
The value of small industry events
Any run-of-the-mill industry event calls itself a failure when just 24 attendees show up. An audience of that size tempts any keynote speaker to flee. The so-called “welcome” reception seems more like a wake for an unpopular deceased. Throughout, a deadly calm fills every room.
Some events of that size, though, sparkle with life. Potential for real, meaningful contact is rich. Interesting conversations last longer. You get to know people better.
The Pacific Northwest BI Summit, held every July in Grants Pass, Oregon, is my prime example. It is the Bohemian Grove of the business intelligence industry. I attended as press for the third time this summer.… Read the rest “The value of small industry events”