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I think the article hit the nail on the head: data phobia. It is a very tough sell to tell people that their intuitions are wrong, especially when certain prac

I think the article hit the nail on the head: data phobia. It is a very tough sell to tell people that their intuitions are wrong, especially when certain practices and beliefs are long entrenched. It is hard for me to describe to anyone the resistance to anything you present if you haven't been there. The expectations for accuracy are far beyond what can be realistically accomplished. It is humiliating and frustrating to see people who have no business analyzing your work comb over every last number and if ONE number is wrong, the whole plan tumbles. In my experience, the communication issue is teaching sales, management, etc, that the point is not to play whack-a-mole and "fix" everything, and that the data is not meant to be used as a hammer (IMO), but that it is simply there to point the company in a direction, or at least, show where things could be improved and encourage good directions that already exist. I believe that the expectations do not align with reality at this point. Everyone is looking for some mythical Fountain of XYZ, and it simply does not exist. "Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics" is so ingrained in our conscience that the expected reaction to Big Data is a knee-jerk mistrust to whatever is presented. It is a serious issue, and we that have to analyze data have to be cognizant of the fact that we are pushing back against a century (centuries?) of idiots who have used statistics to lie, justify false information, and push agendas.

JPKab 13y ago
This reaction can vary heavily depending on the traits of the executives, and unfortunately, the kind of personality that gets to the top in embedded corporate hierarchies tends to be people who are excellent at the image of productivity rather than true productivity. To these people, there is nothing more threatening than objective facts. They can manipulate and hide from reality with the subjective. The objective is a new world where they are exposed for the frauds that they are. The U.S. Federal Government is packed with these types.

JPKab 13y ago

This reaction can vary heavily depending on the traits of the executives, and unfortunately, the kind of personality that gets to the top in embedded corporate hierarchies tends to be people who are excellent at the image of productivity rather than true productivity. To these people, there is nothing more threatening than objective facts. They can manipulate and hide from reality with the subjective. The objective is a new world where they are exposed for the frauds that they are. The U.S. Federal Government is packed with these types.