Diving Into Data

The coronavirus has introduced a new normal, one characterized by working from home and watching the stock market with fear and curiosity. On this episode of “Diving into Data,” TC Riley analyzes the numbers surrounding these two prevailing socio-economic topics today. The data is in and it isn’t so clear cut. Statistics prove that remote workers and the economy are churning along. But studies also give reason for caution, forecasting possible dangers ahead.

Remote work is popular among employees, with 74% saying working remotely would make them less likely to leave the company. But conversely, remote employees report feeling disconnected from their team. This consequence may have lasting effects on business, efficiency, and innovation. For high-security jobs, less than 50% of workers feel they have the proper security training to work safely from home. Since coronavirus kickstarted the at-home workday, the US economy is test-driving this new normal, uncertain of lasting repercussions. 

The stock market is doing well despite the pandemic, thanks to Big Tech. At 22% of the S&P, these companies are a backbone to the economy. Their power is also what makes them vulnerable. As the government increases scrutiny over companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, the stock market pauses with bated breath. Meanwhile, self-taught day traders are at home making small investments using apps like Robinhood. Are these users inflating the market, or helping cushion the blow? 

On this week's episode of Diving Into Data, TC takes a look at the Data Dividend Project, led by former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, and how Californians are trying to take back control of their personal data. We also touch on the return of sports in a COVID world and what that looks like.

In our main topic this week, we explore the ins-and-outs of the Data Dividend Project. What is the goal of the project and what kind of impact could it have? What are some of the challenges this movement could face and what could be the unintended consequences. While the logic behind the movement is strong, its still hard to get past the old saying that 'if you aren't paying for the product, you are the product.'

Our second topic this week dives into the return of professional sports in the US. While every sports fan is excited to live action again, what kind of financial hit are these teams and leagues taking? And what are the challenges of pulling it off? The only thing we can be certain of is that this is the ultimate opportunity to innovate (in both sports and the business world) and improve experiences for fans and customers alike.

Sit back, relax, grab a drink, practice social distancing... And let's dive into some data.

On this week's episode of Diving Into Data, TC explores the importance and challenges of data security in healthcare and public health, specifically as it relates to operating in a COVID World. TC also discusses the utilization of Martech to overcome some of the challenges marketers might be facing and how it is more important than ever.

Our main story this week discusses the challenges and opportunities around data security in a COVID world. There is no defined playbook for how you can securely and legally capture the level of data that public health officials need, so what are companies doing? Do people trust that this data will only be used for Public Health? And what are some example of companies navigating these murky waters?

Our second segment today discusses how Martech has never been more important and why it is so critical for companies to be utilizing this data and technology. Things might get tougher before they get better, but effective marketing technology can help guide you through stormy seas.

Sit back, relax, grab a drink, practice social distancing... And let's dive into some data.

On this week's episode of Diving Into Data, we take a look at some significant changes happening in two specific areas: employees and education. Specifically, the impact of the freeze of H-1B Visas for the rest of 2020 and the ways that the higher education world is changing.

For our first topic, TC dives into the recent freeze by the government of the H-1B Visa program. What does that freeze actually entail and why it matters, specifically to those of us in the data world. We also look at what the reaction has been from American Companies and Professional Organizations, while considering what the long-term impact of changes to the H-1B program could entail.

For our second topic, TC dives into the changing world of higher education. We touch on the potential K1 Visa issues that could arise for students this fall that attend universities that go 100% online, but also look at the way higher education could be overdue for some changes. Is it really worth paying that massive tuition bill to attend a large university, if you're getting the same online experience and education that you could get at a community college? People have said for years that our higher education system needs to change and COVID might just accelerate the reality of those changes.

Sit back, relax, grab a drink, practice social distancing, and let's dive into some data.

On this week's episode of Diving Into Data, TC takes a break from exploring data in current events and helps you understand how you can actually USE data in your business.

Everyone wants to use data and say they are data-driven, but what does that actually take? Why do so many companies relentlessly attempt to utilize data in their business decisions and fully intend on getting value from it, yet fail to actually see the results they desire? As they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions...

TC shares how the acronym DAPP (Digestible, Actionable, Presentable, Practical) can be a guide for ensuring businesses actually see the value from this investment in and utilization of data. This acronym should be considered by anyone in the data world anytime they're starting on a project, and by ensuring that the final product is compliant with DAPP, you'll ensure that it actually WILL start working!

Sit back, relax, grab a drink, practice social distancing... And let's dive into some data.

On this week's episode of Diving Into Data, we look at the incredibly useful data practice of probabilistic modeling. We dive into what it is and how we use it, not only in the business world, but the science world, as well.

Probabilistic modeling might be a new term to you, but you actually do it every day! TC dives into what this modeling is, how it works and what the results are. We look at how this modeling gives a range of expected results, not just a single answer, and why that is still incredibly useful, even without a specific solution.

TC also explains his personal favorite application of probabilistic modeling with the Drake Equation. This equation explains the likelihood of another space-faring, technologically-advanced species residing right in our backyard, and gives rise to the ominous Fermi Paradox. Don't know what we're talking about? Check out the episode to have your mind blown.

TC wraps up with some real-world and business applications for this modeling and why every company should be doing more of it. With that, we invite you to sit back, relax, grab a drink, practice social distancing, and dive into some data!

On this week’s episode of Diving Into Data, TC explores the (unexpected) positive signs from the economy as we continue to reopen after the COVID-19 outbreak and try’s to answer the question, are we back to normal?

Our main segment this week looks into the baffling recovery of the US Stock Market, along with other positive economic indicators, such as a lower than anticipated unemployment rate for May. With the unprecedented situation this year, we freely admitted that we didn’t know what was next… But are these truly signals that things are getting back to normal or could there be other unexpected impacts lurking around the next corner?

Then, in this week’s Industry Rapidfire segment, we look at the return of professional sports in the US. Nearly all major leagues have official ‘restarting’ guidance in place now and are progressing towards us seeing real sports back in August, if not before. What positive signs do we coming from the NFL and NBA? And what about the ominous signals from the MLB? Are we looking at a year without baseball?

Sit back, relax, grab a drink, practice social distancing (things aren’t THAT normal again, yet) and let’s dive into some data.

In this week’s episode of Diving Into Data, we look at the use and sharing of data in a post-COVID world and how data practices, like all other industries/businesses/people/etc., have had to adapt during these challenging times.

TC first explores the challenges around keeping full data pipelines in a COVID world. Not only have companies had to adapt to unique working situations and inconsistent reporting/capture of data, but time is of the absolute essence when this analysis could guide national policy and actions.

Next, TC dives into the opportunities for more extensive data sharing in a post-COVID world. The past few months have illuminated the need for the global economy to have open and free-flowing data, whether it be around public health, economics or anything else. But with the opportunity for more democratized and shared data, comes some inherent risks around data security and privacy.

We wrap up the show with another Industry Rapidfire segment, where we look at how the retail industry is using (or at least needs to be!) data to impact their re-opening efforts. The retail industry has been one of the most impacted by the global pandemic, but smart companies in the space are embracing this as an opportunity, rather than just trying to ride out the wave of the challenge.

Sit back, relax, grab a drink, practice social distancing, and let’s dive into some data.

In this week’s episode of Diving Into Data, we explore the convoluted world of content analytics to understand how you really gauge the effectiveness of those investments. We also touch on some leadership ‘lessons learned’ from the COVID-19 outbreak and are back with another installment of Industry Rapidfire around sports and entertainment.

TC also shares some guidance and advice to business leaders on returning to the ‘new normal’ and how as a leader (and specifically as a data leader) you need to be open to change and ready to adapt. This is a unique challenge for every business and leader, so learn from TC’s mistakes!

In our Industry Rapidfire segment, we focus on sports and entertainment. After last week’s AI discussion, we look at how AI is presenting a fascinating opportunity to better diagnose and address head injuries in sports. In the entertainment world, we touch on the mysterious ‘recommended for you’ algorithms that decide what is going to pop up next on Netflix, Disney+, etc.

Sit back, grab a drink, practice social distancing, and let’s dive into some data.

On this week’s episode of Diving Into Data, our primary focus is around the often-referenced, rarely-understood field of Artificial Intelligence. We are also back with our second week of Industry Rapidfire, with a focus on transportation, logistics and retail.

Though everyone knows the term Artificial Intelligence, what does it actually mean? And do we truly have those capabilities with today’s technology? TC dives into the differences between Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Deep Neural Learning, explaining how the concepts relate to each other and what each of them truly refers to. He also covers the progression to higher levels of Artificial Intelligence, as well as some critical steps to follow if you’re going to implement AI within your business.

In the Industry Rapidfire segment, TC dives into how airline operations, smart shipping and Sentient Marketing are all using data in creative ways to shift from reactive models to proactive ones. By deploying connected technology, machine learning and advanced analytics, see how these industries are embracing the potential of data.

Sit back, grab a drink, practice social distancing, and let’s dive into some data.