Mac Insights

In the preceding articles we have covered topics on building the correct foundations so as to implement data analytics in an organisation with a centralised data function. Using the Sit. Crawl. Walk. Run. Paradigm, we explored how best to embark on a data journey and what steps to take to reach analytical maturity. Finally, we investigated ways…

In the preceding articles we have covered topics on building the correct foundations so as to implement data analytics in an organisation with a centralised data function. Using the Sit. Crawl. Walk. Run. Paradigm, we explored how best to embark on a data journey and what steps to take to reach analytical maturity. Finally, we investigated ways…

In Computer Science, garbage in, garbage out (GIGO), is the concept that flawed inputs will yield flawed outputs, or ‘garbage’. This principle applies to all analysis and logic, in that arguments are unsound if their premises are flawed. In data analytics, it is a mammoth challenge. A famous example of garbage data from history is…

Biological and intellectual advancement in human beings follows a set pattern, as does implementing data analytics into a business. Unfortunately, many organisations want to rapidly ascend from having no analytics to having mature predictive analytics. Often, this revolution-based approach fails to realise the importance of data and analytical maturity. Instead, an evolutionary-based approach following the…

Data analytics is the process of analysing raw data to extract valuable insights. Data analytics techniques can reveal trends and ‘dark data’ that would otherwise be lost in the mass of information. This insight can then be used to optimise processes, reduce costs, or leveraged to unlock additional revenue streams. Research by international advisory and…

Data – it is more than just a buzzword. Today, gathering data to help you better understand your customers and business is relatively easy. In fact, it has become so easy that there’s the danger of having too much data to deal with. Even small start-ups generate data. Any business with a website, a social…

It has been fascinating to see the changing approach of mining companies to community development and Corporate Social Investment over the past 20 years. The mining industry stands apart from many other industries in South Africa in that the community investment is regulated through the Mining Charter. Whilst initially this was merely a compliance exercise,…

In the first two article of this series, we explored the concept of an ‘Adaptive and Responsive’ flavour to strategy formation, planning, budget management, resource management and delivery execution. We understood the shift in mindsets and behaviours, some of the key ones being: Shift from work to be done to value being delivered. Shift from…

This year, many companies and organisation have found themselves caught, to coin a popular phrase, ‘between a rock and a hard place.’ Those in leadership roles have had to make uncompromising decisions due to the external factors which have thrown their businesses into a tailspin. They would have felt trapped, without any other way out.…

In the first article of this series, we explored the concept of an ‘Adaptive and Responsive’ flavour to strategy formation, planning and execution. We found that a high maturity on the scale of being ‘Adaptive and Responsive’ results in maximum value delivery within agreed timelines, effort, quality and budget, all despite the challenges of unplanned…