Data-Driven Innovation - DDI

🚀 The soon-to-be home of “data-driven analytics” 🚀

This group was created to achieve three main goals.

1. Show value from data (tangible and quantifiable compared to using other approaches).
2. Pioneer innovative solutions (you can’t Google or find better online, e.g., YouTube)
3. Help those from data and non-data backgrounds become data savvy, improving employability skills.

The main ethos of the group is to

👉 Have fun and meet like-minded people.
👉 Keep an open mind (you need to be open to improving and adapting).
👉 Always be respectful and courteous (zero tolerance where this isn't the case will be reviewed).

Data meetups are open to you anywhere among the globe via teams, but if you’re in person in Birmingham, there will be non-data socialising as well.

I believe it’s not just important to know your data, but to be able to get along and talk to others (as you would in the workplace or interview), these events may include

👉 Getting a beverage or food locally
👉 Trying out a physical activity, e.g., Judo, go-karting, or maybe visiting an attraction in London, Manchester, or Birmingham

🚀 The plan to achieve the main goals (the fine print) 🚀

This group was founded by Vito Schittone, and although “Data-Driven Innovations” sounds great, the practical implications are "how.”.

In a lot of places, they build dashboards, but they don’t get “uptake for it by managers to self-serve." 📊 In my career, I have led analytics nationally and done this on a commercial level as well as for two other organisations (and more in the future). I also pioneered more heavy analytics onsite with customers to inform decision-making processes nationally (no longer an outlier for mortality; where to look to improve market share and how; methods of identifying and improving KPIs; and winning tenders onsite with private companies’ principles and partners using data!)

A lot of places want to be data-driven and use data warehouses, AI functionality, or drive automation, but rarely know why or manage to do so themselves. 📊 I also have the hands-on experience and knowledge to share.

A lot of people want to improve their interview chances by getting interviews or landing a role. 📊 I’ve constantly, throughout my career, managed to create standout CVs for myself.

The data market is a big place, and a lot of people want to know at a glance if the person talking to them is very knowledgeable in that domain, e.g., some proof of domain knowledge 📊 I also hold various accreditations, being one of the last to gain Microsoft's highest qualifications before this was retired: Microsoft Certified Solution Expert (MCSE) in Data Management and Analytics, and since, Azure Enterprise Data Analyst Associate, Power BI Data Analyst Associate (averaging 87.2% across all), and previously obtained PRINCE2 practitioner status. I am also recognised as a technical and instructional expert in Microsoft technology as a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT); this is all knowledge I can draw on, explain, and advise on.

Despite knowing T-SQL, MSBI (SSIS,SSAS, SSRS), Azure, and Tableau, I’ve decided to focus on “citizen skills” (non-technical people can easily do technical tasks through these tools) that are high-end in the market and most can use “for free!” and easily download.

So being part of the group gives you an “advantage” because the sessions will be informed by my own knowledge, which will kick the group off, and as I’m one of the rare people who knows how to do a lot of stuff, ensuring the standard is extremely high.

Once I have "feedback,” I will be proactive in sharing it with others, so the group can evolve and adapt. I keep an open mind, and if someone else is correct (even on a call), I won’t take offence.

Where we are different from the rest (the group) is that we take an “enterprise approach to data” (seeing the big picture) and are hands-on, allowing you to practice what is shown at each stage so you can do it too! Not just theory; goal #1 is “tangible and quantifiable.”

The key skills we are focusing on are analytics, strategy, data literacy, stakeholder engagement, project management, and cost avoidance, with a focus on Power BI.