Uncovering Truths Hidden in Data Delivered with Malcolm Gladwell
Power and speed tests, use different criteria to evaluate aptitude, and each have its value to compare populations. You need to understand what is it that you are trying to measure and select the best one to differentiate and make the right choice. This is one of the concepts Malcolm Gladwell discussed during his keynote address.
Revisionist History: Uncovering Truths Hidden in Data Delivered by Malcolm Gladwell
Well, it did not take much more than three seconds to make up my mind: he is warm, he cares and he is not afraid of throwing in some self-deprecating humour. Charming!
And then it got even better as he announced, he was tragically “geeking it up” and taking us “into the weeds” to illustrate the core message.
We need to understand the story behind the data
To make meaningful insights it is important to understand where the data comes from, and how it is generated, as you analyze it.
His three examples around academic institutions really highlighted the unexpected side-effects of continuing to use the wrong metrics, among those, the steep tuition increase rates that have, even double the rate of medical fees in the US since 1978.
During the Questions & Answers part, Malcolm went from his analytical side to his emotional one as he exposed himself as “the hopeless sentimentalist”. Last year he started his podcast, has done 20 so far. He wants to move people emotionally and sees those as a gift to capture the listener’s attention for a committed amount of time. So, stay tune for more…
The second half of the morning took me the interactive learning labs session.
Creating an environment for Supporting Slow Innovation – By Sam Ford
Sam comes from the media world and MIT Comparative Media Studies/Writing. He shared his journey bringing design thinking to the communication world and the lessons learned as the VP of Innovation & Engagement at Univision.
The group participated in the subsequent discussion on the best takeaways to support “slow” innovation:
- Claim your wins even the side effects
o In the process of bringing people to work with you, you also affect the short-term innovation culture
o All the advantages of the connectivity role the team plays and how it impacts the largest organization
- Keep budgets lean
- Invest in relationship building internally – getting visibility in the middle organization
- Set internal expectations carefully and manage those as external expectations come in
- Spend time translating the benefits
- Try to operationalize internally the value the slow innovation brings
- Tell the story and back it up with data
- Be rigorous about fostering serendipity
And last but not least, if you catch yourself thinking “slow” = no good, think of the power versus speed tests and the different values it brings!
About the Author: Marga is a technology leader with an international background and a passion for innovation. During the last 20 years she has grown her expertise in research and business development, focused in industrial and manufacturing applications of polymer and materials science, bringing technologies to commercialization in multiple markets. She holds a PhD, is the inventor of several patents and a published author in technical, trade and conference proceedings.