Let’s Talk Data

There are days that you just want to scream at the top of your lungs, then grab a martini and sit in the hot tub to sulk.

My head has been swimming because as a (self-proclaimed!) information evangelist, I feel frustrated when other people don’t get it.

Data is power.

Data is power.

Data is power.

And without the right data, you can’t compete. Successful businesses that turn around on a dime because they can meet their clients’ needs understand this concept.

“Data” doesn’t necessarily mean a database. I’m talking information that you need to move forward and keep improving on your product or service. For example, if you know your customer loves “red” and you get a new widget in “red” — then by all means, if your timing is right and you make the effort to reach out to your client — you will sell your goods to him. You meet a need when you provide what someone wants at the right time — its that simple. Sometimes, you just have to be willing to show up.

I’m a big believer in tracking things. I keep my emails, I review web logs, I take time to see if I can find a pattern that I can use to my advantage. I’m working with some large companies these days that have such a breakdown in communication that they can’t act on the simplest ideas without concensus across a zillion departments. Yet, if they took the time to look at the data — the raw facts presented in a meaningful way — the answer would be as clear as day.

Data is simply a collection of pieces of information. Put together, they allow analysis, review, and direction.

Doing business without data is ludicrous.

I feel like I’m ranting, because….well, I guess I am ranting.

Arrgh…

I think the first time I heard the term, metadata, I wasn’t quite sure what they were referring to. Was it a medical word (like metabolic) or related to language (metaphor)?

Metadata is “data about data” — in other words, it’s a form of data which is used to decribe other data. Information which helps people classify, define and organize their data so that they can use it more effectively.

So, for example, you could have a database of demographic estimates such as current year population, median age, counts of households by income ranges — and for each field you could list the source of the data, the vintage, whether it was derived from a calculation or a direct census question, etc. Data about data…

First there was MapQuest, and Yahoo!Maps, Rand McNally, even Triple A got into the act.

All of these free mapping tools were so cool.

Suddenly it became downright gauche to ask for directions! (What? You don’t have internet access? You don’t have a printer??)

But I think that GIS and data coming to life using hacked versions of Google Maps is the ultimate form of putting business techniques to use for public benefit. I’m thinking that some clever person will upload a roster of Boy Scouts and figure out the best place to hold meetings based on where everyone actually lives….or something else completely PRACTICAL. (sigh)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/08/AR2005060801632.html

So, I’ve always felt that I’ve been technical enough to be dangerous. That is, I have no fear of the unknown when it comes to software or computers.

Thinking about it (fondly, I must admit) I think it probably comes from my days working at Mediamark Research (MRI) as a tech rep. Back in the late 80’s, I crawled under more desks than I care to admit. With a kit I picked up from Egghead (remember those guys?) I installed math co-processors and bernoullis. Those were the days.

Anyway, it was easier to be “in the know” back then.

It’s hard enough keeping up with everything in your own profession, but trying to keep up with all the advances on the web is almost impossible. I feel like I spend an incredible amount of time following links. And, there’s so much to read and with work, family, and all that happens in between — well, the WWW could be a big World Wide Waste without the guides that have become available which organize all this data into usable information.

So….in my quest for finding really useful sites, I found one of the coolest sites that I think is a “googlization” of the blogsphere. Check out Technorati…..

I swear I’ve seen everything now.

GIS and it’s cousin GPS have truly infiltrated our lives — and for the most part, I think the innovation provides more good to society than harm. From “NeverLost” systems in car rentals, to instant 911 tracking on cell phones — to airplanes that nearly fly themselves, this ability to act on location data instantaneously has gone from “Star Trek” impossible to “can’t live without” status.

I understand tracking lost animals with implants and with the increase in child abductions (or maybe the its the increase in awareness due to our 24/7 media) GPS enabled jewelry could effectively help thwart kidnappings.

But, I draw the line at underwear — gender-specific underwear!

Take a look. http://forgetmenotpanties.contagiousmedia.org/about.html