What happens when data sets collide with mindsets? *Lies, Dam Lies and Statistics

What happens when data sets collide with mindsets?

*Lies, Dam Lies and Statistics

Popularized by Mark Twain in Chapters from my autobiography

“There are no facts, only interpretations.”

Friedrich Nietzsche…

In Business – “In the end, there is only perspective…”

The world is full of best intentions & perspectives…

What percentage of all phone calls are cross border…

What percentage of people are first generation immigrants…

What percentage of direct investment is foreign based…

What is the export to GDP ratio…

Phon

e Call

s

Immigr

ation

Direct

Inves

tmen

t

Expor

t to G

DP Rati

on0%

10%20%30%40%

Global Cross Border FlowsPopular Guesses

Guess

People believe the world is pretty flat…

Source: Pankaj Ghemawat author “The world isn’t flat”

Phon

e Call

s

Immigr

ation

Direct

Inves

tmen

t

Expor

t to G

DP Rati

on0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%

GuessActual

Perception vs. Reality Source: Pankaj Ghemawat author “The world isn’t flat

Sri Lanka or

Turkey

Poland or

South Korea

Malaysia or

Russia

Pakistan or

Vietnam

Thailand or

South Africa

Which country of the pair has the highest child mortality rate…

Sri Lanka or

Turkey

Poland or

South Korea

Malaysia or

Russia

Pakistan or

Vietnam

Thailand or

South Africa

Which country of the pair has the highest child mortality rate…

http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen.html

Dr. Hans Rosling – Quantitative Analysis meet

Saturday Night Live

When armed with the right data and presented in the right way – you can

change the world…

www.youtube.com/watch?v=usdJgEwMinM

New Paradigm - Convergence

Preconceived Ideas vs. Factual Evidence: Business Social Policy Economics Prices at Dunkin Donuts vs. Starbucks

Data Set + Mindset X Perspective = Business Reality

What do I mean by Mindset?

Let’s play cards and find out…

Transmission: Please divert your course 15 degrees north to avoid a collision.

Response: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees South to avoid a collision.

Transmission: This is the captain of a U.S. Naval Ship. I say again divert your course!

Response: NO.. I say again, divert YOUR course.

Transmission: THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER ENTERPRISE. WE ARE A LARGE WARSHIP OF THE U.S. NAVY. DIVERT YOUR COURSE NOW!

Response: This is a lighthouse. Your call …

A Final Thought on Mindsets & Perspectives

Moral of the story for each of us…

No matter where you come from and regardless of how

much data and power you may

have,

sometimes you just have to change

directions!

Thanks for having me…

Appendix

Deviance: To stray from an established course or norm

NormativePerformance or

Behavior“Desired State”

Negative Deviance

Energy Spent

PositiveDeviance

Energy Created

Problem Solving vs. Abundance

Webster’s Dictionary

Define the Problem• Specify problems or needsAnalyze Determinants• Identify symptoms and root

causesIdentify Solution• Generate alternatives that

address problemsPlan and Implement• Design interventions that

address or solve problemsBASIC ASSUMPTION:• Our job is to overcome

major problems, challenges, and obstacles.

PROBLEM SOLVING APPROACHIdentify Peak Performance• Recount spectacular

experienceExplain Success• Identify enablers of the best

past successesCreate Sustainability• Identify what should be

continued in the futureDesign a Future• Design interventions that

create an ideal futureBASIC ASSUMPTION:• Our job is to embrace and

enable our highest potential.

ABUNDANCE APPROACH

Comparing Approaches to ChangeSource: Cooperrider, 2001