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Q.1 How can companies address social issues through innovation but remain competitive in the marketplace?

Q.2 Write a reply to this discussion (Miriam)

This video presents a person named Geoff McGrath who is being interviewed by curator Gurjit Singh-Lalli on data sharing between companies and departments.  He tells the audience that to share data between companies is extremely hard to do because of the differences on how companies may feel like they will lose their competitive edge.  But if companies could do that, think of how empowered they all would become sharing data that each one of them can use.  He said that the way to get over this fear companies have is to start with tiny pieces of data that will show them how they can improve their business.  When the company sees how valuable the data is, they will begin to share more and more data.  He also talked of "data-driven decision making".  This is imperative when you own a company because you should not make decisions.

It was somewhat hard for me to understand Geoff.  I do not know why.  He had somewhat of a soft voice, but I was able to find the transcript.  The transcript helped a lot.  What Geoff McGrath said about data-driven decisions is correct. I feel the same way he does is that the key to decision-making is in the data.  I also agree with the fact that if companies could become friends and share data, a new day would dawn.  I can see it now, companies working in harmony with climate-change activists to eliminate harmful fumes from gasoline, completely.

TEDxGlasgowSalon (Producer), & Singh-Lalli, G. (Director). (2022, July).  Data-driven design for sustainable competitive advantage . [Video/DVD] Youtube

Q.3 Write a reply to this discussion(Neal)

I'm not an innovative type of individual but as we know innovation sis the world. This video was very interesting as Geoff Mcgrath explains data and how is needed and also how it needs to be shared amongst other companies for learning purposes. That was the most interesting part, because its all about competition with other organizations and many do not and will not share any data with another in fear of the other company one upping another. What I got out of this video is that organizations can learn from each other by sharing data, not the data doesn't have to be exact, it can be some true and some made up but its the learning of it that counts. Another thing that stood out was McGrath said overcoming barriers within an organization can happen by starting out small and really understanding how data can help you run your organization. Once that happens the barriers will start to come down once the teams see's how effective the data is and that in turns makes everyone want to succeed. Listening to him made a lot of sense when you put it into perspective. A good example of that would be with my company I am trying to tell my team that patients being able to use their my chart function to check them self in for an appointment and being able to update their own insurance card is helping the organization and not moving towards replacing them as registration. I had to pull numbers manually and show them how many patients us this function and how it eliminates the wait time if we are short staffed and them getting overwhelmed with the heavy flow of patients. Showing them the data helped them to understand what I was trying to say about the new technology that coming within the hospital.

Reference:

TEDxGlasgowSalon (Producer), & Singh-Lalli, G. (Director). (2022, July).  Data-driven design for sustainable competitive advantage . [Video/DVD] Youtube:

Q.4 Write a reply to this discussion(Tash)

The video talks about how companies should share data. I know in my company, we dont share information within departments and even amongst the disciplines we arent sharing information. The data silos are creating a lot more work and errors and are very frustrating. 

I agree with him that in a company, we need to shape the way we think and encourage a paradigm shift. The design of the business should be on how you visualize the company and then encourage mindset change and behavior change. Just like most things, the information shared can be interpreted differently, so sharing the data and information will yield different results regardless. I like to use Toys R Us as a company that could've benefitted from the knowledge of online toy sales, that lead them to ultimately close. Competitors such as Walmart, Target and especially Amazon went to online sales and Toys R Us wanted to be an in store interactive experience. 

One thing that also stood out to me was where the information came from. He mentioned multiple times that the data should come from not the data scientist, but rather the people who are doing the work. Sustainability is the only non compromise, but by looking at what the company goals will be and how they achieve the goal. data from the source will be beneficial.  In using climate change, you can see how many other companies are affected by this one set of data. You have utilities, agriculture, farming. 

Data is power and can shape a company. By sharing data, even starting small it will be beneifical to all companies.