4. SILOS ARE BARRIERS TO GROWTH
One of the biggest challenges enterprises face is trying to gleam insights from data
that’s trapped in the data silos that exist across business units and organizational
functions.
Data and analytic silos tend to arise naturally in organizations because each department
has different goals, priorities and responsibilities. Silos can also occur when
departments compete with each other instead of working together toward common
business goals.
Despite being viewed as a hindrance to
effective business operations, they remain a
common barrier to growth.
5. 2/3
EXPEREINCE SOME
DEGREE OF SHADOW
(OR ROGUE) DATA
DEPOSITORIES
SILOS ARE ALL TOO COMMON
Unfortunately, silos have made it hard to manage and analyze enterprise-wide data,
making it difficult to identify the type of valuable opportunities that spark growth.
Breaking down silos enables accurate insights
to be leveraged across the entire enterprise.
80%
REPORT HIGH OR
MODERATE DEGREES
OF DATA SILOS
69%
ARE UNABLE TO
PROVIDE A
COMPREHENSIVE,
SINGLE CUSTOMER VIEW
*Big Data Insights and Opportunities, CompTIA, 9/14
10. Organizations must break down silos and connect
disparate databases to form relationships. This is
not an easy process but one that is imperative to
extracting real value out of data.
-Nipa Basu, Chief Analytics Officer, Dun & Bradstreet
12. MARKETING
INFORMATION
INSIGHTS
CMO
FINANCE
INFORMATION
INSIGHTS
CFO
SUPPLY CHAIN
INFORMATION
INSIGHTS
CPO
Chances are your organizational structure is
awfully similar to the depiction on the left –
departmental silos with individual leaders
operating independently of each other. It’s
okay if this looks familiar. You’re not alone.
Organizational silos are typically resistant to
change, operating to prevent access to the
information they hold and working hard to
protect its own interests and meet specific
goals.
But don’t stress, there are solutions. It’s no
easy task, but the following 3 steps should
help you slowly eradicate these pesky silo
walls.
Enterprise Analytics Today
13. MARKETING
INFORMATION
INSIGHTS
CMO
FINANCE
INFORMATION
INSIGHTS
CFO
SUPPLY CHAIN
INFORMATION
INSIGHTS
CPO
CAO
1
Who’s Your Data (Leader)?
To begin making cracks in the silo walls,
every enterprise needs to consider
employing a single analyticsleader that
bridges the disparate departments together
so they can take the analytics tothat next
level.
It’s still debatable whothat crucialanalytics
leader is. Some believe it is the emerging
Chief AnalyticsOfficer but notall companies
may be mature enough tosupport that role.
Ultimately, there should be someonewho
interacts with each of the organizational
leaders. Whatever title you give that person,
there's got to be somebody who can identify
the analytics that’s driving compelling
insights fromthe noiseand understands how
it can be used to drive value acrossthe
enterprise.
14. MARKETING
INFORMATION
INSIGHTS
CMO
FINANCE
INFORMATION
INSIGHTS
CFO
SUPPLY CHAIN
INFORMATION
INSIGHTS
CPO
CAO
2
It is important for everyone to be on the same page in
how data is defined and collected. Each department’s
definition of a “customer”and “prospect”, for example,
may not always be the same, so be ready to discuss ways
this can be made universal across the enterprise.
Without the benefit of a common master data
dichotomy, data that is of value to one department may
not be recognized by another and often discarded.
What’s more, inconsistent naming conventions lead to
duplicated records. As a result, the information and data
output of these systems may render rich details but
cannot accurately summarize futureopportunities.
What’s more, there is a need for consistent analytics
methodology and connecting the right approach to the
right business problem. If the department creating
prospect lists uses the most advanced method and
creates the best list, but the department responsible for
converting the leads uses primitive methodology – then
the best prospecting list won’t help the company.
Speaking the same language will ensure richerinsights
are produced and shared.
Definingthe Data
15. MARKETING
INFORMATION
INSIGHTS
CMO
FINANCE
INFORMATION
INSIGHTS
CFO
SUPPLY CHAIN
INFORMATION
INSIGHTS
CPO
CAO
3
When it comes to data, sharingis not always
caring. Legacy platforms andunitary tools
make it hard for departments to seamlessly
talk to one another. That’swhy organizations
need to be open to using an open-source
framework that offers the ability tointegrate
data frommultiple sourcesacross
departments.
This will allowdata to flow fromone system
to another, givingbusinesses the freedomto
collaborate andshare information that can
informfuture insights.
Open It Up
16. ELIMINATING SILOS LEADS TO
BETTER BUSINESS OUTCOMES
IDENTIFYING INSIGHTS
THAT WOULD HAVE
OTHERWISE BEEN
MISSED
ANALYZING WITH
GREATER SPEED
FOR FASTER
DECISIONS
BETTER
RELATIONSHIPS
ACROSS THE
ORGANIZATION
COST SAVINGS
DUE TO
IMPROVED
EFFICIENCY
17. BREAK DOWN
THE WALLS…
UNLOCK NEW
OPORTUNITIES
Once you are able to begin breaking down silos, you’re poised
for sophisticated analysis that lets you identify untapped
opportunities across the enterprise. Leveraging advanced
analytics, you can better predict performance and look for
triggers and insights that can forecast unforeseen needs.
Learn how our advanced analytics can
enhance your enterprise-wide insights.