Big Data

Recent studies predict that by 2025 there may be as many as 100 billion IoT devices deployed worldwide. That’s roughly 14 connected devices or sensors for every person on Earth. My good friend Rob Mesirow and I have been spending a lot of time talking about the most practical ways to integrate “smart” technology into business processes. Continue Reading →

On May 25, a new law called the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is going into effect in the European Union. The law was created to protect EU citizens from potential abuses, like the recent Cambridge Analytica scandal. Wondering how this will change your world? Here are 5 things you should know. Continue Reading →

Mark Zuckerberg will testify before Congress on April 11. It’s going to be a big day for Mark. That said, I could not resist the temptation to imagine what I might do if I were in Facebook’s shoes. So, as a starting point for your own “If I were Facebook” fantasy congressional hearing, here’s my list of the five things Facebook must do right now. Continue Reading →

The phrase “digital transformation” is so overused that it may be on the brink of its own transformation from a business imperative to a hackneyed refrain. Clichés aside, digital transformation "is" a business imperative and time is the enemy. So, let’s have a look at seven brain-busting steps that will enable you to create value in your organization through digital transformation. Continue Reading →

Generally speaking, there are two kinds of companies in the world: data rich and data poor. The richest of the data rich (Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, etc.) are easy to name. But you don't need to be at the top of this list to use data to create value. You need to have the tools in place to turn information (data) into action -- that's what the data rich do that the data poor and the data middle class do not. Continue Reading →

Because the velocity of data is increasing and will always increase, the need for data literacy is increasing and will always increase. This does not mean that to be successful executive you have to become a data scientist -- quite the contrary. It means that in order to be a successful executive, you need to understand how data is turned into action, be familiar with the methods of data science and data scientific research, and be able to think strategically about how to use data to create value for your business. All other things being equal, there is a significant difference between being literate and being fluent. Continue Reading →

Inconspicuous innovation is a core theme at CES® 2016, and the tools of engagement for multichannel and omnichannel media distribution and marketing will be hiding in plain sight. Continue Reading →

Fake women, fake privacy, real hack – that's the way my eulogy for Ashley Madison's IPO would start. Fake women, because the ratio of female names to male names in the hacked database dump is skewed extremely male. Fake privacy, because everyone now has access to Ashley Madison's private database. Real hack, because the hackers have actually ruined people's lives. Continue Reading →

Up to now, all marketers have been active engagement specialists: get consumers’ attention, get them to do something. But over the next few years, digitally enhanced marketers will emerge. Continue Reading →

“Have a magical day!” is the way Disney cast members wish you farewell. They’re not kidding. The “happiest place on earth” does its best to make it so. The cast members (Disney-speak for employees) help, but Walt Disney World is well on its way to achieving consciousness. How? As Arthur C. Clarke so eloquently stated, Continue Reading →