Data and Analytics Strategy for Business - 2nd Edition by Simon Asplen-Taylor

About the Book

Design, implement and execute a data strategy that harnesses AI with this guide to driving innovation and creating value.

Book Synopsis

Data and AI present a tremendous opportunity to improve business performance by increasing operational efficiency, revenues and customer satisfaction. An effective data strategy leveraging the power of AI allows businesses to create a competitive advantage.

Data and Analytics Strategy for Business is a practical guide for business, technology and data leaders building a data, analytics and AI strategy for their organization. Starting by identifying the value you can obtain from data, analytics and AI, this book shows you how to maximise that value to support your organization's goals and mission. It covers the importance of having high quality data to generate trust, getting the whole organization on board as well as all the other essential elements required to complete your strategy. This book provides the keys to using data to drive improved business results.

Incorporating the latest developments in AI, this new edition of Data and Analytics Strategy for Business shows how leaders can use AI right away to get value from their existing strategy. It provides practical guidance and recommendations for implementing AI and machine learning to maximize performance. Filled with real-world examples from organizations including Tesco and Transport for London, this book is a step-by-step guide to designing and implementing a results-driven data strategy.

Review Quotes

"Simon Asplen Taylor's book has been exceptionally useful in informing how I run and improve my organization's data capability. This latest edition shows data leaders how to gain a strategic edge by skillfully layering AI into their existing data strategy. A must-read for clear, practical advice in today's AI-obsessed climate!"-- "Remi Martins-Tonks, Head of Data and Analytics, Money & Pensions Service"

"Simon Asplen-Taylor's latest edition is a superb coaching manual designed to guide data leaders and practitioners through the challenge of tackling analytics and AI. The book provides practical advice around where to start and how to cut through the hype to realize actual business value from data and AI. This how-to guide builds your confidence and makes sure you're in the driving seat when it comes to your organization's approach to AI and its applications. It's an invaluable companion to your organization's data strategy."-- "Premal Desai, Head of Data & AI, The Gym Group"

"As a hands-on data practitioner, this book appealed to me for its practical and action-oriented advice. It contains clear and specific guidance geared towards generating tangible business value. I will refer to this throughout the year and would recommend others to use it too to drive a business forward with data!"-- "Pratik Patel, Head of Data, Birmingham Bank"

"As an enterprise leader for architecture, data and AI, I found this book incredibly helpful! Simon Asplen-Taylor's coaching style is evident throughout; he provides very clear, practical advice on how to align AI with existing data strategy to deliver genuine value. AI is a vast area and moving at such a speed. This book provides essential support for business leaders, answering key questions on how to respond to AI and stay ahead of the curve."-- "Rebecca Fitzgerald, Director of Architecture and Data, YBS"

"I would highly recommend Data and Analytics Strategy for Business. This book contains useful insights into the world of data; demonstrating how data should be 'the heartbeat' of all successful businesses. The book is highly valuable to anyone currently in the formative stages of their career."-- "Emily Lewis, Business Development Representative, Pro MGA Global Solutions"

"In my experience, taking people somewhere they've not been before requires leadership and trust, whether that's climbing Everest or making a success of your business through the use of data and analytics. In Data and Analytics Strategy for Business, Simon Asplen-Taylor cuts through the jargon and provides a clear route for success."-- "Kenton Cool, World-leading Mountaineer"

"In the fast-evolving world of data leadership, Data and Analytics Strategy for Business is an indispensable guide for anyone looking to deliver real and sustained business value through data. As someone new to a data leadership role, I've sought many resources for advice, but this book has been a game-changer in helping me navigate and accelerate as a professional in this space. Simon Asplen-Taylor's willingness to lay bare his secrets for collective success is testament to the leader he is. He has expertly distilled his years of experience into key themes, challenges and phases that all leaders and businesses will face, providing early insights and a roadmap for growth and success. His people-centered and actionable words have not only helped me anticipate and navigate the nuances of my role but also empowered me to move the business forward more confidently in driving its goals through data and insight."-- "Suzie Darby, Head of Data & Analytics, Willmott Dixon Holdings Limited"

"One of the benefits of going digital is that organizations can collect, review and analyze enormous quantities of data. Correctly interpreting this data provides the intelligence which enables a business to understand the consumer and marketplace in a completely new way. Successful organizations require a clear data strategy and a disciplined set of operational processes. Simon Asplen-Taylor shows in detail how to make this happen in the real world. He demonstrates that data is key but reveals that an effective data officer never loses sight of the commercial application and human element of the intelligence created."-- "Kevin Gaskell, serial entrepreneur and former MD, Porsche GB and BMW GB"

"Whether you are an experienced data leader or simply curious about getting more from data, this book is an invaluable source of insight. The real-world examples, practical exercises and case studies make the concepts easily understandable and highly applicable."-- "Nina Monckton, Head of Data, Inigo"

About the Author

Simon Asplen-Taylor is the founder and CEO of VALSTR, a leading data, analytics and AI consultancy and was the first Chief Data Officer in the UK. He previously served as Chief Data Officer for multiple FTSE firms including Bupa, UBS, Tesco and Regus and led some of the largest data led transformations in Europe. He is a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) and serves on the RSS's AI Taskforce. In 2023, he was named by CEO Magazine as Most Influential Data Analytics CEO. He is based in London, UK.