Experienced data leader across a multitude of related spaces including Data Engineering, Architecture, Data Analytics & Statistics, Machine Learning and applied delivery for bringing data rich environments to self-service fingertips. Focusing his People Leadership around transformational & change leadership, Matt continues to serve and coach teams through critical Data & Tool skills while bringing powerful data driven value to Business Strategies and Decisions across Customer & Employee engagements.
My Mentoring Topics
- Analytics
- Leadership
- Data Engineering
- Data Sciences
- Data Strategy & Governance
- Coaching
B.
31.March 2023Matt is a great person with lots of energy and very experienced in data science and analytics. The session is really helpful. Matt provided some books I can read and useful suggestions to improve my skills and competitiveness in data analytics area.
The Big Book of Dashboards - Visualizing Your Data Using Real-World Business Scenarios
Steve Wexler, Jeffrey Shaffer, Andy Cotgreave
Key Insights from the Book Data visualization is a powerful tool: It helps to make sense of complex data, gain insights and make informed decisions. Dashboard design principles: The book provides essential design principles for creating effective dashboards. Real-world business scenarios: It includes numerous examples of real-world business scenarios to illustrate the application of data visualization. Software-agnostic approach: The book adopts a software-agnostic approach, teaching principles that can be applied across different data visualization tools. Importance of interactivity: The book highlights the importance of interactivity in dashboards for user engagement and data exploration. Data storytelling: It emphasizes on the concept of data storytelling to communicate complex data effectively. Addressing common pitfalls: The book addresses common pitfalls in dashboard design and offers solutions. Role of color, size, and shape: It explains the role of color, size, and shape in visual perception and their impact on dashboard design. Prototyping and iteration: The book stresses on the process of prototyping and iteration in dashboard design. Data governance and ethics: It discusses the importance of data governance and ethics in data visualization. An In-depth Book Review "The Big Book of Dashboards - Visualizing Your Data Using Real-World Business Scenarios" by Steve Wexler, Jeffrey Shaffer, and Andy Cotgreave is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in the field of data visualization and dashboard design. The first key insight from the book is the power of data visualization. In an era where data is considered the new oil, being able to make sense of complex data, gain insights, and make informed decisions is crucial. The book provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and harnessing this power. The book lays out essential design principles for creating effective dashboards. The authors emphasize that a well-designed dashboard is not just about aesthetics, but also about functionality and usability. It should present information in a clear and concise manner, enabling users to understand the data at a glance. What sets this book apart is its use of real-world business scenarios to illustrate the application of data visualization. These examples cover a wide range of industries and functions, providing readers with a broad perspective of the practical applications of data visualization. The book adopts a software-agnostic approach, teaching principles that can be applied across different data visualization tools. This is valuable for readers as they can apply these principles regardless of the software they are using. Interactivity is highlighted as a crucial element in dashboards. Interactive dashboards allow users to engage with the data, exploring different views and drilling down to details. This not only enhances user engagement but also facilitates deeper data exploration. The concept of data storytelling is emphasized throughout the book. According to the authors, effective data visualization should tell a story, making complex data understandable and relatable. This is particularly important in the business context, where data-driven decisions rely on the ability to understand and interpret data correctly. The authors address common pitfalls in dashboard design, offering practical advice and solutions. These include issues such as clutter, misleading visualizations, and poor color choices, among others. The role of color, size, and shape in visual perception and their impact on dashboard design is discussed in detail. The authors explain how these visual cues can significantly influence how data is interpreted, and provide guidelines for their effective use. The book stresses the importance of prototyping and iteration in dashboard design. Designing a dashboard is a process, not a one-time activity. It involves testing, getting feedback, and making improvements. Lastly, the book also discusses the importance of data governance and ethics in data visualization. This is a vital aspect, especially in today's digital age where data privacy and security are of utmost importance. In conclusion, "The Big Book of Dashboards" is a comprehensive guide for anyone involved in data visualization and dashboard design. It provides practical, real-world advice and insights, making it a must-read for both beginners and experienced professionals in the field.
ViewStorytelling with Data - A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals
Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic
Key Facts and Insights: Effective data visualization is a critical tool in business communication. Context is key in data storytelling; without it, your audience may not understand your message. Too much data can be overwhelming; simplicity is often more effective. Color and design elements should enhance understanding, not distract. Story structure can provide a framework for presenting data. Visual cues guide the audience's attention and highlight important information. Audience understanding and action is the ultimate goal of data storytelling. The book provides practical examples and exercises for honing data visualization skills. It emphasizes on the importance of scrutinizing, altering, and improving data visuals for clarity and impact. The book reiterates the significance of data ethics and the potential consequences of misleading data visuals. An In-depth Look at the Book "Storytelling with Data – A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals" by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic is an invaluable resource for anyone who needs to distill complex datasets into meaningful narratives that can drive business decisions. As data becomes increasingly crucial in the business world, being able to effectively visualize and communicate this data is a vital skill. The book begins with the premise that effective data visualization is a critical tool in business communication. This is a truth I have affirmed over my years as a professor, seeing how the ability to present data in a clear and compelling way can significantly impact business strategies and decisions. Knaflic also emphasizes that context is key in data storytelling. Without it, the audience may not understand the points you are trying to make. This aligns with the concept of situational analysis in business communication, where understanding the context can determine the effectiveness of the communication. One of the salient points in the book is the idea that too much data can be overwhelming and that simplicity is often more effective. This resonates with the principle of 'less is more' that I often advocate to my students. The ability to distill complex data into a simple, understandable format is a skill that is highly valued in the business world. Knaflic also discusses how color and design elements should enhance understanding, not distract. This underscores the importance of aesthetic considerations in data visualization, a point often overlooked by professionals who focus solely on the data's numerical aspects. The book further highlights how a story structure can provide a framework for presenting data. This concept of using a narrative arc to present data is a powerful tool, as it taps into our innate affinity for stories, making the data more relatable and memorable. Visual cues are another tool discussed in the book that can guide the audience's attention and highlight important information. This is in line with the cognitive theory of multimedia learning, which posits that visual cues can help guide cognitive processing and enhance understanding. Knaflic's ultimate goal is to ensure that the audience understands the data and takes appropriate action. This aligns with the communication theory's purpose, which is not just to inform but also to persuade and motivate action. One of the book's strengths is its focus on practical application. It provides practical examples and exercises to hone data visualization skills, allowing readers to apply the principles learned. The book also emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing, altering, and improving data visuals for clarity and impact, underscoring the iterative nature of the data visualization process. Lastly, it reiterates the significance of data ethics and the potential consequences of misleading data visuals. This is a critical reminder, given the potential misuse of data and the impact it can have on decision making and trust. In conclusion, "Storytelling with Data" offers a comprehensive approach to data visualization, combining theory, practical application, and ethical considerations. It is a valuable resource for professionals looking to enhance their data visualization skills and effectively communicate data-driven insights in the business world.
ViewExecutive Presence - The Missing Link Between Merit and Success
Sylvia Ann Hewlett
Key Insights from Executive Presence Executive Presence (EP) is not about performance: It's about the signals you send out about your ability to lead under any circumstance. EP is a blend of personal traits and behaviors: It's a mix of qualities like gravitas, communication skills, and appearance. Gravitas is the core characteristic of EP: It's the ability to project confidence, poise under pressure, and decisiveness. Communication skills are vital: This includes speaking skills, assertiveness, and ability to read an audience or a situation. Appearance matters: Despite being the least important compared to gravitas and communication, how you look can significantly impact people's perception of you. EP is not one-size-fits-all: It's culturally and gender-specific. What works for one person might not necessarily work for another. Building EP is a continuous process: It requires self-awareness, practice, and feedback. You can't afford to be complacent about it. EP can be learned: Despite being a complex set of skills and behaviors, anyone can develop EP with effort and dedication. EP is highly valued by organizations: Companies are looking for people who can lead, inspire, and manage others, traits that are all part of EP. EP helps you stand out: In a competitive environment, having EP can set you apart and help you climb the corporate ladder. EP can't be faked: Authenticity is key in EP. People can easily tell if you're trying to be someone you're not. In-Depth Analysis Sylvia Ann Hewlett's book, "Executive Presence - The Missing Link Between Merit and Success", is an insightful exploration of the concept of Executive Presence (EP). As an experienced professor and a long-term observer of this phenomenon, I find the book's examination of EP both comprehensive and enlightening. To start with, Hewlett argues that EP is not about performance; rather, it's about the signals you send out about your ability to lead under any circumstance. This is a crucial distinction because it underscores the fact that pure talent or hard work, while important, is not enough to secure leadership positions. One must also be perceived as a leader. The book further elaborates that EP is a blend of personal traits and behaviors, specifically gravitas, communication skills, and appearance. Of these, gravitas, defined as the ability to project confidence, poise under pressure, and decisiveness, is the core characteristic of EP. This aligns with my own observations that those who command respect and influence in the workplace often exhibit these qualities. Next, the importance of communication skills cannot be understated. This includes not just speaking skills, but also assertiveness and the ability to read an audience or a situation. From my experience, leaders who communicate effectively are more successful in gaining buy-in from their teams and driving strategic initiatives forward. While gravitas and communication are the most critical aspects of EP, Hewlett also highlights that appearance matters. This is not to say that one has to conform to a certain dress code or look a certain way. Rather, it is about presenting yourself in a manner that aligns with your personal and professional brand. A noteworthy point in the book is that EP is not one-size-fits-all. It's culturally and gender-specific. This is a vital consideration for organizations operating in diverse environments. They need to recognize and appreciate different expressions of EP and not just favor a certain 'type'. The book reassures readers that EP can be learned. It's a continuous process that requires self-awareness, practice, and feedback. I concur with this viewpoint, having seen many of my students develop their EP over time with consistent effort. Finally, Hewlett emphasizes that EP can't be faked. Authenticity is key. Trying to mimic someone else's EP is not a sustainable strategy, and people can easily tell if you're not being true to yourself. In conclusion, "Executive Presence - The Missing Link Between Merit and Success" provides a robust framework for understanding and developing EP. It's a must-read for anyone aspiring to leadership positions and for organizations aiming to cultivate a diverse pool of leaders.
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31.March 2023