Exploring the Power of Analytics, Overcoming Obstacles, and Building Analytic Roadmaps
Written by Heather L. Cole, July 21st, 2023
The Analytic Success Bootcamp – By Lodestar Solutions
The recently held Analytic Success Bootcamp at the IBM Innovation Center in Dallas was an exhilarating two-day journey into the world of finance and analytics. Hosted by Lodestar Solutions, this event aimed to equip analytic professionals in IT and Finance with the knowledge and skills required to become Analytic Leaders in their field. Attendees delved into the secrets of effective analytics, requirements discovery, and enhancing end-user adoption, gaining valuable insights into the power of analytics and the necessary steps to build a successful analytic roadmap.
Day One: Unraveling the Secrets to Analytic Leadership
The Bootcamp commenced with an engaging exploration of the path to becoming Analytic Leaders. Participants learned how to effectively communicate their ideas and influence CEOs. They learned about how people are wired, and the primary needs of Executives are Certainty and Significance, and that when we understand that we can become more influential. Attendees also explored why end-user adoption is so slow and the VALUE formula that is key to increasing adoption and reducing time to analytic ROI. The interactive workshops allowed attendees to apply these concepts to real-world scenarios, enabling them to see immediate benefits, while networking in person with peers.
Day one was full of laughs, learning, and even a visit from the IBM robotic dog named Spot.
Day Two: Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Analytic Roadmaps
On the second day, the focus shifted towards overcoming obstacles that hinder the successful implementation of analytic projects. The biggest challenge being inadequate Requirements Discovery. Heather Cole skillfully hit this reality home after letting the group spend some time playing with Legos. Who doesn’t love Legos? The Legos exercise accentuated the fact that even professionals who are regularly tasked with discovering requirements forget to ASK.
Participants discovered that communication and workshops are the most efficient way to clear roadblocks and identify strategies to achieve their analytic roadmaps. The Bootcamp proved invaluable as it provided practical solutions to the challenges they face regularly.
A Sudden Twist: When the City Turned Off the Water
Despite the enthusiasm and success of the event, fate had a different plan for the second day. An unforeseen circumstance occurred when the city authorities turned off the water supply to the IBM Innovation Center, forcing the venue to shut down. However, the team at Lodestar Solutions and the attendees adapted quickly, and the Bootcamp transformed into a speed version, ensuring participants did not miss out on any essential insights. Huge thanks to all the local participants that tried to find us a backup room.
Zooming into Success: The Follow-Up Virtual Session
To ensure that the valuable knowledge-sharing continued, a follow-up session was arranged via Zoom. Participants enthusiastically participated in the virtual event, connecting once more to discuss crucial takeaways and learnings on becoming Analytic Leaders from the Bootcamp.
Key Takeaways
Better Understanding the People, You Need to Influence
One of the major highlights of the Bootcamp was the focus on understanding the key stakeholders involved in the analytic process. Analytic leaders must recognize the motivations and perspectives of these individuals to effectively gain buy-in and support for their projects.
Unlocking the Power of Requirements Discovery
Despite being professionals who regularly conduct requirements discovery, the workshop revealed that continuous practice is essential. Attendees engaged in hands-on activities and learned the power of the sticky note (only use super sticky) to hone their requirements discovery skills further. They learned to leverage the sense of Urgency to get more done in less time. And understand why at Lodestar we remind people that Analytic Success requires asking the right questions to elicit valuable insights from stakeholders.
Effective Meetings and "What's Your Number?”
Heather Cole, a Certified High-Performance Coach, provided valuable tips on running productive meetings. Attendees learned the art of concise communication and how to encourage participation from all team members. Additionally, the "What's Your Number?" technique offered a fresh perspective on gauging individual performance and promoting accountability.
Conclusion
Lodestar Solutions' Analytic Success Bootcamp held at the IBM Innovation Center in Dallas proved to be a resounding success, despite the unexpected challenge on the second day. Finance, IT, and Analytic Professionals came together to discover the secrets of Analytic Leadership, requirements discovery, and end-user adoption. The interactive nature of the event, even amidst unforeseen circumstances, ensured participants were left with a deeper understanding of analytics and the tools needed to overcome obstacles in their analytic roadmap. As the first live event in years, it was a memorable experience for all attendees, setting a promising precedent for future engagements.
Huge shout out to all the attendees, you guys were amazing. You played full out. Shared your ideas and we are grateful. Now go change the world with Analytics.
Join the Movement!
Although we don’t have another event in the books yet, keep an eye out for a future announcement.
In the meantime, if you would like to level up your Analytic Leadership skills join our Analytic Success Klub (ASK).
