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Data, Information, Knowledge & Wisdom

Frequently when we are asked to talk to our clients about their issues we find that there is no shortage of data, and often it is this, which has caused some of their issues in the first place. In other cases people have lots of "information", interesting stuff which they think should be useful but when they try and follow its trail, they find themselves back to data again.

Where we aim is towards knowledge, if we can create and share knowledge, and open up a conversation around this knowledge, this is where the wisdom appears.  Wisdom is wonderful company. When she appears, and wafts around a room, a building or even a whole organisation, magic happens.  So this month we are talking about how to invite her into your organisation, and how to spot her when she appears.

Data is so easy
Thanks to Bill Gates and Co, data is a cheap and easy commodity these days.  In the old days before spreadsheets it would take ages to figure out forecasts, and even longer to collect up the disparate pieces of information used to plug in to a forecast.  Now it is pretty simple, as so much data gets collected as a matter of course.  The issue with it is that you need both knowledge and wisdom to use it in a way which makes things better, rather than making people busy.

Data and information make you think you have done something... even if you haven't 
The trouble with data, especially numbers related data is that it convinces people that they have achieved something.  I sat in a meeting the other day where a whole bunch of data was presented which was designed to show why a certain course of action should be taken.  A splendid conversation ensued, which ended up with two key conclusions. The first was that this organisation had been spending a disproportionate amount of money on the areas in question over a long time, and the second was that the performance outputs had not improved one jot despite all the spending.  The presentation was, however, resolutely upbeat about why it might be different this time.  To an external observer, it was obvious that the same result would ensue. What was missing from this informative and knowledgable presentation was wisdom.

So why was the wisdom absent?
What I know from having worked with so many different people, in different departments in hundreds of companies is that data and too much information acts like a wall to wisdom.  Something I see again and again is that the best organisations and their people focus on their weaknesses, rather than their strengths. These organisations understand often intuitively, what the important things are, and whilst data might help them make their point it is only ever part of their decision making. I also see many organisations who are struggling but who are really good at data.  This data often takes them far away from their core purpose. In these cases the data is used to prove to themselves that they are succeeding, misleading them into thinking that good numbers mean good business.  The trick to surviving the interesting times, which are coming for all organisations, is to understand that Mr and Mrs Data are always happy to be part of your decision making, but it is you who understands your organisation and its customers, and only humans can be wise.

If you think that data is preventing the best decisions being made in your organisation and want some help to redefine its use, or to gain more wisdom then call us.  We are experts at this 21st century craft, and love the challenge. We have numerous example of how doing this has saved large sums of money and allowed organisations to focus on the things which make them more profitable.