Hi there,

Harnessing data, big or otherwise, is a topic on most leadership agendas as the hunt for opportunities to monetise or turn data to a better purpose continues, but for managers it’s proving a big ask to grasp the topic.

In fact, that data deluge is resulting in many executives effectively burying their heads in the sand and continuing to rely on good old intuition, according to new research out of Massey University. It’s not just that executives don’t fully understand how to manage big data, or what it can do: Nearly two-thirds had no confidence or trust in it.

As it turns out, that’s all just part of the natural process of getting to grips with a maturing technology…

In other news:

Digital census unravels
All the tech that isn't transforming farming
Under the hood of the Uber IPO, and its uber-losses
New Retail: a tech reinvention

And we look at how a thirst for automation encouraged PureNZ bottled water maker NZ Drinks to gain the efficiencies, integration and traceability needed to succeed selling into the demanding retail grocery sector by installing a robust manufacturing & supply chain traceability solution from Abel ERP.

Enjoy the read and have a very Happy Easter break,

Heather Wright
Editor
editor@istart.co.nz

You can lead a manager to data, but you can't make him think

Senior managers still mystified by big data…

What does it take to get to the top of the senior manager heap?

“An unmanageable deluge of information has inspired a significant majority of executives to embrace their id*.”

[Read more]

Digital census great in theory – so where’s it going wrong?

NZ Statistician 'fesses up on census issues. After #censusfail in Aus questions need answering…

New Zealand's first online census has seen a record low turnout, with one in seven Kiwis failing to complete the ‘digital first’ national survey.

“It is critical that trust and confidence in future censuses are maintained and enhanced.”

[Read more]

Tech for farm transformation? Maybe not says MBIE report

Tech just a tool for improving existing practices, not transformation…

Technology has the ability to provide benefits in farming, but it won’t fundamentally alter practise according to a new report, which also notes a potentially damaging lack of a national strategy.

“Interviewees thought this lack of co-ordination was detrimental to New Zealand.”

[Read more]

Uber IPO: What you need to know

And just how did it rack up those billion dollar losses?…

Investors are getting a real peek under the hood of Uber as its IPO filing, with hundreds of pages of detailed information, is submitted to the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Once floated, Uber will be under considerable pressure to achieve profitability.

[Read more]

Reinventing retail: Tech’s helping hand

In an omni-channel retail world, tech rules…

From AI to robots to AR – tech is transforming retail and bringing down the walls between the bricks and mortar and virtual worlds.

“By leaning into the future, associates will be able to have more satisfying jobs as retail continues to change.”

[Read more]

A thirst for automation speeds up success

Automating its supply chain was required to succeed in the demanding retail grocery industry…

When NZ Drinks wanted to transform its business model, it chose Abel ERP to fully automate its supply chain and drive the efficiency, integration and traceability required for retail success.

“Automation has been the key to our successful growth.”

[Read more]

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