Data skills are now ‘fundamental’ in the age of AI, says expert

Caroline Carruthers

A more concerted approach to improving data literacy is urgently needed to unlock the full growth potential of artificial intelligence (AI), claims data consultancy Carruthers and Jackson.

As AI tools become embedded across everyday business functions, data and AI literacy can no longer be viewed as niche skills reserved for specialist roles. 

From HR and finance to marketing and operations, employees are increasingly expected to interpret data outputs, question automated recommendations, and make informed decisions based on AI-driven insights.

For businesses, the challenge is becoming more urgent. While AI adoption continues to accelerate, workforce capability is not keeping pace.

In Carruthers and Jackson’s annual Data Maturity Index, a survey of senior data leaders, 40% reported that AI is being used by a high number of employees across their organisation or within specific departments, up from 21% in 2024.

Yet 58% said most of their employees are not data literate, with a further 3% reporting almost no employees in their organisation are data literate.

Carruthers and Jackson, one of the leading global data consultancies and part of the Praesto Group, warns that this disconnect threatens to undermine global AI ambitions. Significant investment is being channelled into new platforms, infrastructure and tooling - but technology alone cannot deliver transformation.

Caroline Carruthers, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Carruthers and Jackson told That's Business: “Artificial intelligence is now embedded in everyday workflows, and data literacy can no longer be confined to technical specialists.

"It's becoming a core business capability every bit as fundamental as financial literacy or digital skills.”

“All the AI investment in the world will count for little if our people cannot question outputs, challenge assumptions or translate insight into action. If an organisation, or a country, fails to act now in improving data literacy they will fall behind and the highest-value, data-enabled roles will simply be outsourced elsewhere.”

Ultimate responsibility for a shift in approach to data literacy, however, remains unclear.

While financial literacy has undergone a step change in recent decades with increased financial education in schools and a proactive role played by the banking sector, there is no single commercial player in the AI and data space with the same incentive to champion broad data literacy beyond product-specific training. 

As a result, says Carruthers, the burden must be shared. The education system needs to embed data literacy earlier, employers must invest in upskilling their current workforce, and governments must provide consistent and clear guidance to enable both.

Caroline went on to say: “We are entering what I call the ‘second coming’ of data. Where many board-level conversations about data were centred on compliance, now the questions are more strategic and purpose-driven. 

"Organisations are increasingly asking where they want to go with their data, why, and for whom. The answers require not just technical capability, but a workforce confident in interrogating and applying data responsibly.”

“We’re already in the next industrial revolution, and the real question is how we intend to bring people on board with it. For modern workplaces it might mean reframing their thinking towards the younger generation. They’re often digitally native, highly curious, and adaptable - ideal characteristics for a data-savvy employee. Smart, imaginative organisations are going to embrace that skillset and reap the benefits of effective data and AI.”

https://carruthersandjackson.com

Tasman Analytics Appoints CPTO to Lead Productisation of Data Agency Services

Tasman Analytics the boutique data agency serving European scale-ups and mid-market companies, has appointed Mike Jones as its first Chief Product & Technology Officer. 

Rather than follow the more usual agency playbook of adding another delivery lead or sales hire, the newly created role signals a strategic shift.

Thus Tasman moves away from purely agency-based engagements toward productised services and operational systems that create recurring impact without requiring proportional headcount growth.

Why They Are Building, Not Hiring

Most data agencies face the same constraint: they can only grow by hiring more people or increasing their fees. 

Instead, Tasman chooses to build systems and products that deliver client outcomes, moving from time-for-money models to product-led delivery.

"The tech landscape in data is moving so fast that the future of client value looks much more like productised services than classic agency engagements," Thomas In't Veld, CEO of Tasman Analytics, told That's Businmess.

"That's a fundamentally different bet, and it needs a different kind of leader. Mike spent three years as our client. He knows what good delivery feels like from the buying side, and he obsesses over getting 80% of the value in 20% of the time. 

"That's exactly the instinct we need for what we're building next. His job is to turn our 'build capability and hand over' model into something repeatable, scalable, and increasingly agentic, where the systems we build don't just inform decisions but start handling the routine ones autonomously."

From Client to CPTO

Mike has spent the past 25 years in technical, commercial, and operational leadership roles. His background includes building fintech platforms for underserved markets as CTO at Picsa Group, scaling a food delivery startup to 1 million meals delivered as COO at Yebo Fresh, and leading a post-acquisition integration at Sage. 

Most notably, he spent three years as a Tasman client, first as COO at Inventory Planner, then as Senior Director of Product & Engineering at Sage following its acquisition, giving him rare insights into what actually works from the buyer's perspective.

"Having been on the other side of the table, I saw what made Tasman different. They genuinely care about making clients self-sufficient," said Mike. "The opportunity here is to build systems and products that create the same value but with leverage. If we can resolve 80% of common data operations challenges through smart productisation, we free up our team and our clients to focus on the 20% that actually differentiates their business."

What Tasman’s is Building

Mike focuses on two areas: operational systems that create internal leverage (TasmanOS, a single source of truth for client operations), and productised data services, including increasingly agentic data systems.

"We're not an agency bolting on a tech title," added Thomas. "We're all data practitioners ourselves, and we are building the kind of data capabilities that scaling companies need. Mike's here, the team is ready, and we are shipping.”

https://www.tasman.ai

Britt Nollé is new MD of PMG subsidiary X-CAGO

Since the beginning of the year, Britt Nollé has been the new MD of X-CAGO B.V., the Dutch specialist for data and content conversion in the international publishing business. 

She takes over from Ingo Kästner, who held the position of X-CAGO MD last year alongside his role as MD of the parent company PMG Presse-Monitor in Berlin.

"Britt Nollé meets the requirements for the position of Managing Director in an outstanding manner: leadership experience, knowledge of international publishing, and strong technical expertise – she brings all of this to the table. 

"She has acquired numerous well-known customers and has permanently strengthened relationships with X-CAGO's partners around the world. These successes impressively demonstrate Britt Nollé's market knowledge and initiative," Ingo Kästner told That's Business.

Her career at X-CAGO began in 2011 in project management, where she was responsible for planning and optimising digitisation processes. She then worked as a key account manager, advising English-speaking publishers and partners of the company. Finally, in recent years, as Director of Sales, she was responsible for the strategic development of sales and the establishment of an international customer base.

On taking up her new position, Nollé said: "Since joining X-CAGO, I have gained comprehensive insights into our organisation, markets and partners. My team and I will actively shape the future of the company, drive forward innovative solutions and strategically develop X-CAGO. In doing so, I always keep our maxim in mind: we are successful when our partner publishers are successful."

Olivera Kipcic, Head of Frankfurter Allgemeine Archive and Rights Management and Chairwoman of the Shareholders' Committee of PMG Presse-Monitor, welcomes Nollé to her new position: ‘Britt Nollé's career represents the perfect combination of continuity and progress, resulting in the sustainable growth of X-CAGO. Ingo Kästner and Britt Nollé will integrate PMG and X-CAGO even more closely and create a state-of-the-art, agile full-service network for publishers and content producers whose services are in demand worldwide.’

X-CAGO is a leading provider of digital conversion, archiving and content transformation services that help publishers unlock the value of their data and publications. With a focus on innovation and customer-centric solutions, X-CAGO delivers technologies that enable publishers, eKiosk providers, app providers and MMOs to thrive in the digital age.

https://x-cago.com

How Not to Ruin Your Business with Shoddy Marketing

Marketing is the lifeblood of any business. Done well, it builds awareness, attracts customers, and drives growth. 

Done poorly, it can quietly strangle your brand, drain your budget, and leave your business in a worse position than if you’d done nothing at all.

Here’s how to ensure your marketing efforts elevate your business—instead of sabotaging it.

1. Stop Copying Competitors Blindly

Your competition might seem to have it all figured out—but imitation rarely leads to innovation. What works for one brand won’t always translate to another. Before copying a flashy campaign or mimicking a tone of voice, ask:

Does this align with your brand’s values?

Are your customers looking for the same message?

Can you deliver what you're promising?

Instead of copying, analyse what your audience actually responds to and tailor your efforts accordingly.

2. Avoid Overpromising and Underdelivering

Marketing should generate excitement—but not at the expense of honesty. Overselling your product or making exaggerated claims might win you some quick sales, but it’ll damage your reputation in the long run.

Disappointed customers don’t just quietly disappear—they leave scathing reviews, demand refunds, and tell others not to trust you.

A strong brand is built on consistency and trust. Be bold in your messaging, but always truthful.

3. Don't Ignore Your Target Audience

One-size-fits-all marketing fits no one. If you’re trying to appeal to everyone, you’re likely resonating with no one. Your ideal customer should be at the heart of every campaign.

That means understanding:

Their pain points

How they consume content

What language speaks to them

Where they spend their time (online and offline)

Invest in customer personas, listen to feedback, and constantly refine your message.

4. Stop Thinking Short-Term

Flashy gimmicks and one-off campaigns might boost sales for a day—but they’re not a strategy. Sustainable marketing means thinking long-term: brand building, content that compounds, and systems that grow with your business.

Focus on building:

An email list you own

A content strategy that builds authority

A brand voice that people remember

Short-term wins are great—but they should be stepping stones, not the end goal.

5. Don’t Cut Corners with Content or Design

Shoddy visuals, poorly written copy, and rushed campaigns scream “unprofessional.” In the digital age, your first impression is often your only impression. If your website looks dated, your posts are riddled with typos, or your ads are confusing, potential customers will click away before they even give you a chance.

Invest in quality—whether that’s hiring a freelance designer, using professional templates, or simply taking time to polish your work before going live.

6. Don’t Ignore the Data

Throwing marketing ideas at the wall to “see what sticks” is fine for a brainstorm session—not for your actual strategy. If you’re not tracking performance, you have no idea what’s working, what’s wasting your money, or where you’re missing out.

Use analytics to:

Monitor engagement

Understand conversion rates

Adjust your strategy in real time

Data doesn’t lie—use it to guide your decisions.

7. Stop Treating Marketing as an Afterthought

Marketing isn’t something you tack on once the “real work” is done. It should be part of your planning from the start. When marketing is siloed or treated as a last-minute effort, it becomes reactive, disjointed, and often ineffective.

Make marketing a core part of your business strategy, not a side task you delegate without direction.

Final Thoughts

Bad marketing doesn’t just fail to attract customers—it actively pushes them away. But by staying authentic, understanding your audience, investing in quality, and keeping long-term goals in sight, you can avoid the traps that undo so many small businesses.

Your marketing reflects your brand. Make sure it’s saying the right things.

22 Hot Career Choices or How to be Successful in your chosen career path Chapter 3: The Path to Success as a Data Scientist

Chapter 3: The Path to Success as a Data Scientist

In the age of big data, data scientists have emerged as some of the most sought-after professionals across industries. Their ability to derive insights from data and make informed decisions has become invaluable. However, becoming a successful data scientist requires more than just technical skills. It demands a combination of expertise, creativity, and adaptability. In this chapter, we'll explore the key steps and qualities necessary to embark on a successful journey as a data scientist.

1. Develop a Strong Foundation

To begin your journey as a data scientist, you must first build a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, and computer science. Understanding fundamental concepts such as linear algebra, calculus, probability, and programming languages like Python, R, or SQL is essential. Take courses, enroll in online programs, or pursue a degree in data science, statistics, or a related field to solidify your knowledge base.

2. Hone Your Analytical Skills

Data scientists are problem solvers at their core. Develop your analytical skills by practicing on real-world datasets. Start with simple projects and gradually work your way up to more complex problems. Learn how to clean, preprocess, and analyse data effectively. Experiment with different algorithms and techniques to gain a deeper understanding of their strengths and limitations.

3. Stay Curious and Keep Learning

The field of data science is constantly evolving, with new tools, technologies, and methodologies emerging regularly. Stay curious and keep learning to stay ahead of the curve. Follow industry trends, read research papers, and participate in online communities such as forums, blogs, and social media groups. Continuous learning will not only expand your knowledge but also help you adapt to changing requirements and challenges.

4. Cultivate Domain Knowledge

Data science is not just about crunching numbers; it's also about understanding the domain in which you're working. Whether it's finance, healthcare, marketing, or any other industry, having domain knowledge will enable you to ask the right questions, interpret results accurately, and provide actionable insights. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the specific terminology, challenges, and opportunities within your chosen domain.

5. Master Data Visualsation and Communication

Data visualisation is a powerful tool for conveying insights effectively. Master techniques for creating clear, informative visualizations that tell a compelling story. Learn how to communicate complex findings in a simple and understandable manner, whether through reports, presentations, or data dashboards. Strong communication skills are essential for collaborating with stakeholders and driving decision-making processes.

6. Embrace Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Thinking

Data science is a multidisciplinary field that requires collaboration with experts from various backgrounds. Embrace interdisciplinary thinking and work closely with colleagues in related fields such as software engineering, business intelligence, and domain-specific expertise. Foster a culture of collaboration, where diverse perspectives are valued, and teamwork is encouraged. By leveraging the strengths of others, you can tackle complex problems more effectively and produce better outcomes.

7. Develop a Growth Mindset

Success in data science requires resilience and a growth mindset. Embrace failure as an opportunity for learning and improvement. Understand that setbacks are inevitable but view them as stepping stones towards success. Be open to feedback, seek mentorship, and continually strive to expand your skills and knowledge. With a growth mindset, you'll be better equipped to overcome challenges and achieve your goals as a data scientist.

8. Stay Ethical and Responsible

As a data scientist, you hold a tremendous amount of power to influence decision-making and shape the future. With this power comes a responsibility to uphold ethical standards and protect the privacy and rights of individuals. Always prioritise ethical considerations in your work, ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability. Stay informed about legal and regulatory frameworks related to data privacy and security, and adhere to best practices to maintain trust and integrity in your profession.

Conclusion

Becoming a successful data scientist is a journey that requires dedication, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt to change. By developing a strong foundation, honing your skills, cultivating domain knowledge, mastering communication, embracing collaboration, fostering a growth mindset, and upholding ethical standards, you can unlock the full potential of data science and make a meaningful impact in your field. Remember that success is not just about reaching a destination but also about the journey itself, so enjoy the process and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the world of data science.

Unleashing the Power of Data Analytics: A Guide to Leveraging Business Insights

In today's fast-paced business environment, the ability to make informed decisions is paramount. As organisations strive for success, they are increasingly turning to data analytics to gain valuable insights that drive strategic planning and enhance overall performance. 

Leveraging data analytics has become a game-changer, allowing businesses to transform raw data into actionable intelligence. In this blog post, we explore the significance of data analytics in unlocking valuable business insights and the strategies to harness its full potential.

Understanding Data Analytics:

Data analytics involves the exploration, interpretation, and visualisation of data to uncover meaningful patterns and trends. By employing various analytical techniques, businesses can extract valuable insights from the vast amount of data they generate and collect. The three main types of data analytics,descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive, offer different levels of analysis, from summarising historical data to forecasting future trends and prescribing optimal actions.

Key Benefits of Data Analytics for Businesses:

Informed Decision-Making:

Data analytics empowers decision-makers with accurate and timely information. By analyzing historical data, businesses can identify patterns, trends, and correlations, enabling leaders to make informed decisions that align with organisational goals.

Enhanced Operational Efficiency:

Understanding operational processes through data analytics helps identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks. By optimising workflows and resource allocation, businesses can streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency.

Customer Insights and Personalisation:

Analyzing customer data provides valuable insights into preferences, behaviors, and expectations. Businesses can use this information to tailor products, services, and marketing strategies, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Competitive Advantage:

Leveraging data analytics gives businesses a competitive edge. By staying ahead of industry trends and understanding market dynamics, organizations can make proactive decisions and respond quickly to changes, gaining a competitive advantage over their peers.

Risk Management:

Predictive analytics enables businesses to identify potential risks and mitigate them before they escalate. By assessing historical data and using predictive models, organizations can anticipate challenges and implement proactive strategies to minimise risk.

Strategies for Effective Data Analytics Implementation:

Define Clear Objectives:

Clearly define the objectives of your data analytics initiative. Whether it's improving customer satisfaction, optimising operations, or increasing profitability, having a well-defined goal will guide the analytics process.

Invest in Quality Data Infrastructure:

Ensure that your organisation has a robust data infrastructure in place. Quality data is essential for accurate analysis, so invest in data collection, storage, and processing systems that meet your business needs.

Utilise Advanced Analytics Tools:

Choose analytics tools that align with your business requirements. Advanced analytics tools, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, can provide deeper insights and predictive capabilities, enabling more sophisticated analysis.

Embrace a Data-Driven Culture:

Foster a culture that values data-driven decision-making. Train employees on the importance of data analytics and encourage them to use insights in their daily tasks. This cultural shift promotes innovation and agility within the organisation.

Ensure Data Security and Compliance:

Implement robust security measures to protect sensitive data. Additionally, ensure compliance with data protection regulations to build trust with customers and stakeholders.

In the age of information, data analytics has emerged as a critical tool for businesses seeking a competitive edge. By leveraging the power of data analytics, organisations can uncover valuable insights, optimise operations, and make informed decisions that drive success. As technology continues to advance, the businesses that embrace data analytics as a core strategy will undoubtedly position themselves for sustained growth and innovation in the dynamic business landscape.

(Image courtesy of 905513 from Pixabay)

BMBI, the barometer of sales to builders and trades, expands to 92% market coverage

The year 2023 is rounding off with a significant relaunch of the Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, now featuring builders’ merchants sales data to builders and trades people covering 92% of GB national sales, up from just over 80%.

Launched in 2015 as a brand of the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF), BMBI uses data from GfK’s ground-breaking Builders Merchants Panel, The panel captures generalist builders’ merchants’ sales throughout Great Britain to builders and trades people who are directly involved in repairing, maintaining, and improving Britain’s 27.7 million homes. 

The recent addition to the panel of Huws Gray, JT Dove and CMO Stores, mean the data now tracks the sales of 92% of builders’ merchant branches making it the most accurate, comprehensive monitor of market performance available.

The monthly BMBI report is well used by merchants, their larger customers and suppliers and is used by construction generally. It's also caught the attention of companies and organisations outside the construction industry, who want to know what’s happening, what’s important and why. The why is provided by leading brands of building materials, components and software, the BMBI Experts, who make sense of the trends and issues for readers.

The website is regularly visited by economists and advisors, the national media, big banks, big six accountants, management consultants, private equity investors, financial institutions and Government departments. Anyone in fact who needs to know the trends and what's driving the trends in a complicated, fragmented industry.

Across the pond, readership is growing rapidly, and the BMBI website gets regular hits from the US Senate, US State Department, individual senators, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to name only a few.

“Since its inception in 2014 GfK’s Builders Merchants leaderpanel has become a key market barometer through its usage in the BMBI,” says Emile van der Ryst, Key Account Manager – Trade & DIY at GfK – an NiQ company. “It’s become a reference point for industry leaders, financial institutions, and government organisations.

“After a relaunch of the data in 2020 we're now pleased to announce the latest relaunch, which came into effect with the October 2023 dataset. The key missing market contributor, Huws Gray, is now included for the first time alongside CMO Stores and JT Dove, both well-known market players.

“This is an exciting new chapter for the service which we believe is a crucial and vital step in providing a relevant and important view of the market, especially in these challenging economic conditions.”

Mike Rigby, MD of MRA Research which produces the BMBI report says: “Once you track over 90% of builders’ merchants’ sales of building materials to builders and tradespeople the numbers are, practically speaking, the market itself, not an estimate or approximation of it. That’s a crucial distinction. It’s not like a survey or poll which takes only a small slice of the market, which is intended to represent the market, and then scales it up. However sound your sampling and rigorous your methodology, there’s a world of difference between scaling up from a small sample, and reporting on 92% of actual sales to the market.”

“The relaunch in the October BMBI report,” confirms BMF CEO John Newcomb, “is a significant step forward in establishing reliable statistics across construction. The BMF’s Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) is the closest measure there is of Britain’s small builder and trades market, and the best proxy we have to the important residential RMI (Repair, Maintain, and Improve) market.

“BMBI is as accurate a measure of the market as it’s possible to get. That’s one reason we call GfK’s Builders Merchants leaderpanel, ‘gold standard’ data. And it’s why so many decision makers and influencers regularly spend so much time poring over the reports and video debates from the BMBI Experts on www.bmbi.co.uk.”

The Importance of Market Research in Business

Market research is really a very essential component of any successful business strategy. It is the process of gathering, analysing, and interpreting information about a market, including its size, trends, competitors, and customer preferences. 

By conducting thorough market research, businesses can make informed decisions, reduce risks, and identify opportunities for growth. 

In this blog post, we'll explore the significance of market research in business and how it can positively impact your bottom line.

Understanding Your Target Audience

Market research helps businesses gain a deep or deeper understanding of their target audience. This knowledge allows companies to tailor their products or services to meet the specific needs and preferences of their customers. By identifying demographic information, such as age, gender, income, and location, businesses can create targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with their ideal customers. This personalized approach increases the chances of success and customer satisfaction.

Assessing Market Demand

Market research can provide insights into the current demand for a product or service. By analysing market trends and consumer behaviour, businesses can determine whether there is a viable opportunity for their offerings. This information is crucial for start-ups and established businesses alike, as it can guide decisions regarding product development, pricing, and distribution.

Competitive Analysis

Understanding your competition is vital in today's saturated business landscape. Market research enables companies to identify and analyse their competitors, their strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning. This knowledge helps businesses differentiate themselves by developing unique selling points and competitive strategies.

Risk Mitigation

Starting or expanding a business always carries risks. Market research can help mitigate these risks by providing valuable data and insights. For instance, it can help you identify potential challenges, market saturation, or changes in consumer behaviour. Armed with this information, you can make informed decisions to minimize risks and maximise opportunities.

Product Development and Innovation

Market research is an integral part of the product development process. By conducting surveys, focus groups, and analysing consumer feedback, businesses can gather valuable insights that guide the creation of new products or the improvement of existing ones. This approach ensures that the products align with customer needs and preferences, increasing their chances of success in the market.

Marketing and Advertising Effectiveness

Successful marketing and advertising campaigns are based on a deep understanding of the target audience. Market research helps companies develop campaigns that resonate with consumers, leading to higher conversion rates and return on investment. It allows businesses to allocate resources efficiently by focusing on the most effective marketing channels.

Expansion and Internationalisation

Market research is indispensable when considering expanding your business into new markets or going international. It provides insights into cultural differences, local regulations, and consumer behaviours, enabling businesses to adapt their strategies to new environments. Without proper research, expanding into new territories can be fraught with unnecessary risks.

Strategic Decision-Making

Ultimately, market research is a crucial component of strategic decision-making. It empowers business leaders to make informed choices about the direction and growth of their companies. By staying informed about market trends and consumer preferences, businesses can pivot when necessary and seize opportunities as they arise.

In today's competitive business world, market research is not a luxury but a necessity. It empowers businesses to make informed decisions, understand their target audience, assess market demand, outperform competitors, and mitigate risks. By integrating market research into their strategies, companies can not only survive but thrive in their respective industries. Whether you're a start-up or an established corporation, investing in market research is an investment in your future success.

Empowering Digital Defenders: Cybersecurity Awareness for Cyber Awareness Month

In an increasingly digital world, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. With our personal and professional lives becoming more intertwined with technology, the need to protect our digital assets has never been more critical. 

October is Cyber Awareness Month, a time dedicated to promoting cybersecurity awareness and educating individuals and organizations about the threats and best practices to stay safe online. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of Cyber Awareness Month and offer valuable insights into how we can all contribute to a safer digital environment.

The Digital Landscape: Why Cybersecurity Matters

Our daily lives revolve around technology, from online banking and shopping to social media interactions and remote work. While technology brings convenience, it also opens doors to cyber threats. Cyberattacks are on the increase, and they can have devastating consequences for individuals, businesses, public bodies such as educational institutions, hospitals and even nations. From identity theft and financial fraud to data breaches and ransomware attacks, the threats are real and ever-evolving.

The Role of Cyber Awareness Month

Cyber Awareness Month, observed every October, aims to highlight the importance of cybersecurity and promote good online hygiene. It is an opportunity for individuals, organisations, and governments to come together to raise awareness, share knowledge, and collaborate on enhancing our collective digital defences.

Ways to Promote Cybersecurity Awareness

Educate Yourself: Start by educating yourself about common cybersecurity threats, such as phishing, malware, and social engineering. Stay informed about the latest cybersecurity trends and news. Knowledge is your first line of defence.

Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Use strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts, and enable MFA wherever possible. Password managers can help you keep track of complex passwords.

Keep Software and Systems Updated: Regularly update your operating systems, software, and applications to patch vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit.

Be Wary of Phishing Emails: Exercise caution when receiving unsolicited emails, especially those requesting personal or financial information. Verify the sender's identity and avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.

Secure Your Home Network: Change default router passwords, enable encryption (WPA2 or WPA3), and regularly update your router's firmware to protect your home network.

Back Up Your Data: Regularly back up your important files and data to an external device or a secure cloud service. This ensures you can recover your data in case of a ransomware attack or hardware failure.

Implement Security Awareness Training: Organisations should invest in cybersecurity training for employees to help them recognize and respond to threats effectively.

Encourage Safe Online Behaviour: Promote cyber hygiene within your family, workplace, or community. Encourage the use of strong passwords, teach children about online safety, and share cybersecurity tips.

Report Cyber Incidents: If you encounter a cyber incident or suspect a breach, report it to the appropriate authorities or your organisation's IT department promptly.

Support Cybersecurity Initiatives: Engage with and support organizations, events, and initiatives dedicated to cybersecurity awareness. These efforts play a crucial role in building a safer digital world.

Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and Cyber Awareness Month reminds us of our role in protecting ourselves and our digital community. By staying informed, adopting best practices, and educating others, we can make cyberspace safer for everyone. Let this month serve as a catalyst for positive change, motivating us to become better digital defenders year-round. Together, we can build a more resilient and secure digital future.

https://staysafeonline.org/programs/cybersecurity-awareness-month

Expand Research - A BCG Company - Announces "First of its Kind" Market Data Catalogue

The new Expand Market Data Catalogue marks a huge step forward for the industry, with multi-millions in potential savings for consumers.

Expand Research - A BCG Company - announces collaboration with several global tier one financial institutions to create revolutionary ‘first of its kind’ Market Data Catalogue.

What is The Journey So Far?

Expand Research has provided industry-leading diagnostics and decision support tools in the Market Data industry for over a decade. As well as providing a syndicated Global Market Data benchmark that allows financial services firms to compare their overall Market Data spend with peers on a like-for-like basis, Expand also acts as a community hub – facilitating roundtables and forums to provide a space for financial institutions to discuss best practices and industry hot topics.

Responding to Client Demand

Underpinning the Expand benchmark is an industry recognized taxonomy and standard naming convention for Market Data products. This taxonomy has already been internalized by a number of participating firms to interface with their Market Data Inventory Systems. This has enabled these firms to provide more consistent financial reporting and budgeting for their respective trading businesses, and with their input, they have helped to evolve and tune the taxonomy during their many years of participation. These long term client relationships have led to multiple requests for Expand to make the natural progression from just the taxonomy and naming convention to build a new comprehensive Market Data Catalogue.

Alistair Brooker, VP General Manager at Calero, a leading software provider in the Market Data space said “The subject of a Central Data Catalogue in the Market Data space has been talked about in the industry for more than 15 years, being a key item on many Market Data team's wish list. Building a standardised dataset representing all product offerings is no easy task, requiring an incredible attention to detail, but Expand’s head start in working with data from the world’s largest financial institutions over many years is a great foundation for success, with standard naming and taxonomy a nice first iteration paving the way.”

The Problem Statement

In a recent white paper The Market Data Hypermarket, Expand highlighted the growing need for an industry Market Data Catalogue. This catalogue would act as a one-stop-shop for firms looking to discover new and alternative data sets, map their existing inventory of data to a standard industry taxonomy and track usage of data products throughout their organization. In an industry that has been frustratingly opaque for consumers, such a platform would act as a much needed facilitator between vendors and their clients to improve transparency and discoverability of Market Data.

Damian McCarthy, Managing Partner of Expand explained, “The new Expand Market Data Catalogue marks a huge step forward for the industry, with multi-millions in potential savings for consumers. The Market Data Catalogue will transform the way that firms manage their Market Data. Some firms are already utilizing our API to enhance their inventory reporting. This has provided them with automated inventory updates, periodic cleansing of inventory data, consistency in product type mappings, reliable forecasting of spend, and an unprecedented level of granular detail that offers visibility and comprehensibility for business consumers. This has reshaped strategic decision making at the firms currently using the tool.”

A Collaborative Approach

Encouraged by clients to leverage the taxonomy that's at the heart of its benchmark, Expand has been working hard throughout 2023 to make the Market Data Catalogue a reality and has made a significant investment, including the recruitment of several Market Data SMEs. This new team are purely focused on building out the Data Catalogue and have made significant progress towards a general launch later this year.

Expand is also partnering with several global banking giants (the founding members) on this journey. These founding members represent some of the world’s largest financial services organizations and together contribute around 10% of annual spend in the Market Data Industry. They will help shape the catalogue through working group discussions and providing subject matter expertise, ensuring the benefit to users is optimized and all business use cases are accommodated.

Expand is ensuring the catalogue could be easily integrated into the Market Data Inventory systems of the founder members, providing a one-stop suite for consumers. Some clients asked Expand to ensure that the catalogue could integrate into Calero’s MDM, allowing clients to align the catalogue alongside their inventory data. All participating parties are collaboratively working towards this.

Damian said, “Expand has a proven track record of delivering ground-breaking initiatives on behalf of the industry and we are happy to be playing a central role once again. Experience tells me that an ambitious initiative like this would not be possible without broad cross-industry collaboration and so we’re thankful to the founding members, vendors and other stakeholders who are helping to bring this to life.”

Industry Adoption & Client Feedback

Eddie Molloy, Director of the Market Data practice at Expand commented, “For years firms have relied on relationships and subject matter expertise to identify the best data sets that vendors have to offer. This has made discovering data and identifying displacement opportunities very difficult. In turn, this caps a firm’s potential to reduce cost in a cost-focused environment. It is in the interests of all parties to make this process easier and more efficient, and the Market Data Catalogue will do exactly that. It will also provide firms with an unprecedented level of industry-wide standardization in the categorization of data, which will benefit those looking to understand their Market Data spend and will lead to additional efficiencies for all industry stakeholders.”

Expand is on course to deliver the catalogue to Founding Members via API, late Q3 2023. They are open to enquiries from other firms who are interested in joining the initiative. For further information, or to declare your interest, please contact Eddie Molloy at Eddie.Molloy@expandresearch.com.

Looking forward to data centre awards

The Judges Panel of the 5th annual Datacentre Awards which takes place in London 13 June have received a record number of submissions from companies across Europe. Due to demand, the official deadline has been extended to 16 April to allow further companies additional time to submit their awards.

The panel of expert Judges now includes representatives from the UK, Netherlands, France, and Germany.

Now in its 5th year, the prestigious Awards provide exceptional marketing differentiation for both winners and runners up and are recognised as the premier industry accolade across the European region.

This year’s categories are designed to reflect changes in markets and technologies, but retain their focus on recognising excellence across the datacentre and cloud sector:

• European Award for New Datacentre Facility
• European Award for Colocation
• Modular Datacentre Solution
• European Award for Cloud Infrastructure
• European Award for Cloud Services
• European Award for Managed Services
• European Award for Energy Efficiency in DataCentres
• European Award for Data Centre Entrepreneur
• European Award for DataCentre Technology Architect
• CxO of the Year
• Datacentre Change and Innovation Award

“This year’s Awards will be more sought after than ever, as the industry seeks to distinguish excellence in a highly competitive marketplace, commented Ashley Davis, chairman of the panel of Judges. “The Awards provide an invaluable benchmark for datacentre and cloud companies, and are the only to do so at European level. 2012 looks set to be another tremendous opportunity for the sector.”

The Awards ceremony and dinner will be held at Merchant Taylors Hall in the City of London on 13 June. Gold Sponsor is Digital Realty. Tables are now available for early booking at the Awards website www.datacentreawards.com.

Review 2011 of the French e-commerce customer experience landscape, Feedbacks of over 9,000 e-shoppers on 65 major sites

Since 2009, YUSEO surveys each year the French e-commerce market through the customer experience involving large samples of e-shoppers to test the major French web sites. The “2001 White Paper” provides a definite milestone for any retailer aiming to enter or expand on the French market. 

Beyond the “basic” cultural, the review of the 65 major web sites with more than 9,000 e-shoppers a delivers a bulk of actionable and qualified data focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of the main e-retailers.

A global shortage of customer data to optimise the customer experience

The latest e-consultancy report published late 2011 stated that companies lose 24 % of their turnover due to a poor customer experience, eg 14 Billions £ in the UK only. When questioned, the paradox expressed by the sites managers is even if they admit poorly understanding the true reasons for the e-shopper to give up its purchase, the shared feeling is that the main issues relate to the navigation issues as well as problems to find the product within the site.

To addressing the situation, a majority of the managers state that they don’t have the budget to properly proceed with the topic or lack qualified data. The use of Web Analytics and online questionnaire is clearly stated as poorly suited to engage an optimization strategy and user tests show their limitation.

YUSEO’s benchmark delivers a unique and qualified picture of the online customer experience of different e-retailers competing within a specific market (shoes, travel, household appliances, food...) relying on a statistical reliable sample of participants.

French market : a natural market to expand?
Entering any new market for a retailer is costly, even on Internet. Hence no one will argue against the fact of being well prepared to secure the positive impact of the investment.

The expansion in Continental Europe appears as a logical step forward for many UK retailers willing to carry on growing especially with a local market under pressure from the economic situation. Besides the importance of the logistics (delivery, stocks, payment,…), the question to proceed with such strategy is how much can I “copy and paste” my site and how much do I need to localise to efficiently meet the local customers specifics.

For e-retailers contemplating France as the next step forward, YUSEO’s “2011 White Paper” delivers a detailed snapshot of the local e-commerce market from a customer experience point of view. It provides any retailer willing to expand on this market, an assessment of the landscape they are about to face: is there any obvious topic to take into consideration or any player that may be an interesting reference to evaluate ? Using the e-shopper experience as a common denominator, it facilitates the comparison between the different players and field of business.

The detailed report can be simply asked via this link
You can also download a short abstract

D&B Launches 200-Day Digital Tribute to Mark Reaching 200 Million Businesses

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B UK), the world’s leading source of commercial information and insight, has reached a significant milestone: 200 million businesses covered in its global database. To celebrate, D&B will take the next 200 days to say “thank you” through a digital tribute to businesses around the world. Businesses can submit their own stories and join D&B’s celebration at www.dnb.com/200million.

“Providing insight on more than 200 million businesses matters because in today’s world of exploding information, businesses need information they can trust,” said Sara Mathew, Chairman and CEO of D&B. “I’d like to say thank you to all 200 million businesses, and look forward to hearing their stories of achievement and innovation.”

D&B is one of the original business information leaders and has been providing insight into businesses since 1841, counting four U.S. presidents (including Abraham Lincoln) among its early data reporters. 170 years later, the company’s global business collection, the largest of its kind, is growing exponentially. The number of businesses D&B covers has doubled in the last six years, with the majority of growth being driven by small business.

“D&B’s mission is to fuel global commerce,” said Josh Peirez, President, Global Product, Marketing and Innovation. “We know our customers count on us for the best business information, when and where they need it. That’s why we worked so hard to reach 200 million businesses, and will work even harder for the 200 million to come.”

Other notable facts about D&B and its global database:

- D&B updates its database 1.5 million times per day, tracking changes in the rapidly evolving global economy
- D&B covers businesses in more than 200 countries and adds more than 2,000 businesses to the database every hour —one every two seconds
- More than 18,741 industry categories are represented today, up from only 30 in 1940
- In the U.S. alone, D&B’s database will register the following in the next 60 minutes:
- 64 business telephone numbers will change or be disconnected
- 47 business addresses will change
- 131 directorship (CEO, CFO, etc.) changes will occur
- 110 new businesses will open their doors (including micro-businesses)
- 3 companies will change their names
- 11 businesses will file for bankruptcy

The celebration started yesterday, September 22, and will continue for 200 days. Follow the campaign and submit stories by visiting www.dnb.com/200million.