Cookies help us display personalized product recommendations and ensure you have great shopping experience.

By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
SmartData CollectiveSmartData Collective
  • Analytics
    AnalyticsShow More
    data analytics for pharmacy trends
    How Data Analytics Is Tracking Trends in the Pharmacy Industry
    5 Min Read
    car expense data analytics
    Data Analytics for Smarter Vehicle Expense Management
    10 Min Read
    image fx (60)
    Data Analytics Driving the Modern E-commerce Warehouse
    13 Min Read
    big data analytics in transporation
    Turning Data Into Decisions: How Analytics Improves Transportation Strategy
    3 Min Read
    sales and data analytics
    How Data Analytics Improves Lead Management and Sales Results
    9 Min Read
  • Big Data
  • BI
  • Exclusive
  • IT
  • Marketing
  • Software
Search
© 2008-25 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: The Worlds of Information Management
Share
Notification
Font ResizerAa
SmartData CollectiveSmartData Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • About
  • Help
  • Privacy
Follow US
© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
SmartData Collective > Uncategorized > The Worlds of Information Management
Uncategorized

The Worlds of Information Management

MIKE20
MIKE20
5 Min Read
SHARE

Contents
  • The World of Big
  • The World of Small
  • Worlds Colliding
  • Feedback

These days, I’m pretty immersed in the world of small companies for one reason: I have been interviewing the owners of small businesses for my new book. Quite frankly, I have been blown away by many things, not the least is which the ability of these companies to effectively manage their data. In this post, I’ll explore the small and big worlds of information management (IM).

More Read

Health care, scandal, and leading change
When Government Officials Should Not Blog
Getting inside a CIO’s head
Book. Is. Done.
Four Strategies For Effective Database Compliance

These days, I’m pretty immersed in the world of small companies for one reason: I have been interviewing the owners of small businesses for my new book. Quite frankly, I have been blown away by many things, not the least is which the ability of these companies to effectively manage their data. In this post, I’ll explore the small and big worlds of information management (IM).

The World of Big

I have spent many years in this world, so I feel like an expert commenting on it. If you’re reading this post, then you’re probably familiar with it and its characteristics:

  • Big Companies
  • Oodles of employees
  • Politics galore
  • Big Tools (typically older)
  • Big Data (often inconsistent, incomplete, or at at least partially invalid)
  • Big Systems (note: always plural)
  • Big Problems

In what appears to be Bizzaro World, I have spent much time lately in The World of Small. Even the project that I am finishing next week involves a company with “only” an 800 employees. At least to me, this is relatively small. This is especially true since I’ve done time in organizations with more than 60,000 employees. (Well, at least we thought that that number was right.) Our systems were more than a little messy and we could never be sure. Calm blue oceans…

The World of Small

The characteristics of this other, strange wold include:

  • Small Companies
  • Fewer employees (by an order of magnitude)
  • Smaller Tools (typically newer)
  • Smaller Data
  • Smaller Systems or, heaven forbid, system (singular)
  • Smaller Problems

Worlds Colliding

Now what happens when those people used to one world enter the other? Worlds collide. (In “The Pool Guy”, one of my favorite Seinfeld episodes, we are introduced to George’s “Worlds Theory.” Long story short: friends and relationships don’t mix.)

When those used to working in small worlds enter big ones, they often become frustrated. The simple ability to query relatively accurate data sets gives way to much more nuanced (read: complicated) situations. Relatively simple questions are answered with complex or convoluted answers such as:

  • “not really”
  • “sometimes”
  • “you’d think so, but…”
  • “it depends”

I suspect that this is why many highly talented folks leave big companies for small ones, never wanting to return.

On the other hand, those that go from big worlds to small ones seem to feel a sense of immediate relief. They’re surprised with statements such as, “If it’s not in Salesforce.com, then it doesn’t exist.” How’s that for an IM philosophy? Or how about being able to write accurate reports via a web-based wizard that pull results in 30 seconds?

Yep. It’s a strange world.

Most companies lay somewhere in between these two poles. What’s more, to be fair, small companies have their own issues and it’s the acme of foolishness for me to claim that these environments are idyllic. To quote Stephen A. Smith, However….

On many levels, there’s something to be said for simple setups, consistent data, quick decision making, clear lines of responsibility, and generally better data. Even if The Big World can’t turn on a dime, shouldn’t its leaders try to emulate its smaller counterpart?

Feedback

What say you?

Read more at MIKE2.0: The Open Source Standard for Information Development

TAGGED:data management
Share This Article
Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn
Share

Follow us on Facebook

Latest News

dedicated servers for ai businesses
5 Reasons AI-Driven Business Need Dedicated Servers
Artificial Intelligence Exclusive News
data analytics for pharmacy trends
How Data Analytics Is Tracking Trends in the Pharmacy Industry
Analytics Big Data Exclusive
ai call centers
Using Generative AI Call Center Solutions to Improve Agent Productivity
Artificial Intelligence Exclusive
warehousing in the age of big data
Top Challenges Of Product Warehousing In The Age Of Big Data
Big Data Exclusive

Stay Connected

1.2kFollowersLike
33.7kFollowersFollow
222FollowersPin

You Might also Like

Do You Have a Love-Hate Relationship With Your Data?

7 Min Read
benefits of data annotations
Big Data

What are the Benefits of Data Annotation?

5 Min Read
Smart Data
Best PracticesBig DataData ManagementData QualityDecision ManagementPredictive AnalyticsRisk ManagementSocial Data

Can Smart Data Ensure Cybersecurity and Data Protection?

6 Min Read

7 Mistakes In Enterprise Data Management You Can’t Afford to Make: Speaking at DAMA WI & DAMA Chicago

3 Min Read

SmartData Collective is one of the largest & trusted community covering technical content about Big Data, BI, Cloud, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, IoT & more.

giveaway chatbots
How To Get An Award Winning Giveaway Bot
Big Data Chatbots Exclusive
data-driven web design
5 Great Tips for Using Data Analytics for Website UX
Big Data

Quick Link

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Follow US
© 2008-25 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Go to mobile version
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?