Big Data Check: Are you into a Rubik’s Trap?

Well I am little anxious in writing this one down, because I fear being seen as someone deviant from the HOT trend – the trend of Big Data. For those still untouched by the term - ‘Big Data’ is extremely large data sets that may be analysed computationally to reveal patterns, trends, and associations, especially relating to human behaviour and interactions.

The bug is so strong inside me too (that explains why I should be anxious in writing this) that I fear when I may lose the sense of it reaching the tipping point and instead get into the RUBIK trap i.e. the analysis which is

• Redundant
• Unwanted
• Blind
• Isolated and only meant for
• Killing Time!

Let me bring in some lighter context. Last Friday 
, I visited one Chinese restaurant, and trust me, I had a hard time analysing and choosing from the various options available on the menu. The ingredients put into the dish sounded exotic, but the detailing was too much that somewhere the dish itself lost its essence. I got into the zone of cutting apart the dish to analyse and find out the exact ingredients, quantity and which one tasted better, and whether it actually did match with the list on the menu? Frankly after a hefty bill payment, I was left hungry. I should have rather gone to a local joint and had my ‘chowmein’ recommended by many of my friends. Oh! How I lost my purpose in between!

I have some brief moments of similar experience at the work place (often I am the culprit too) that we just bring in huge dependance on the data, sub data, sub-sub data that the conclusion drawn could have otherwise been advised by any experienced, or a seasoned professional as they say, in much lesser time. Are we (organizations) stopping to lay any focus on that asset – the power of Blink?

“There can be as much value in the blink of an eye as in months of rational analysis.”

―

Malcolm Gladwell

Or is it that with growing dependance on data we are losing the sense of mutual trust and collaborative risk taking? And gradually losing the accountability too?

The data is definitely required but we should be aware when we reach the tipping point and get involved in our own islodated Rubik’s cubes and end up building complexities in our own world (read work stations).

The topic is too broad for me to make any conclusive statements right now but I can leave you with one thought – when is the last time you took your team out for dinner, away from their Rubik cubes, just for them to have the free mind space to do some intuitive discussions and innovate?