Massive, technology-induced disruptions seem to happen every few years. In the past few years the internet, smartphones, and the cloud have changed the way we work, play, and communicate. Maybe 3D printing is the next huge disruption. But its not really mass consumable today. But Big Data is being produced and consumed by us all, whether we know it or not.
Disruptions are a rock in a still lake. The force of the rock plunges into the water, scattering drops in all directions. The water responds and thrusts itself to new highs. The waves ripple out, decrease in size, and are less influential or interesting at great distances. But in business disruption creates opportunity. It is a sign of a change of balance somewhere in the world. A shift of equilibrium. And when the water calms some have been moved away from the epicenter. Some have been drawn closer. Many have been changed.
Right now big data is a huge disruption in industry. Its changing the way businesses think about their customers and their operations. Its encouraging governments to embrace transparency and leverage the free market and volunteerism to govern better. Big data is changing careers every day. You have read this far because you are interested in the subject. Will this article, a small part of the big data explosion, bring you closer or further to the epicenter?
First imagine concentric circles around a disruption. At the center is some new invention, some unexpected event, some unfilled desperate need. And around it is an ecosystem of participants:
- The first circle, closest to the center, is usually full of aggressive vendors, entrepreneurs, and individuals that are staking their very livelihoods on their ability to solve a problem or profit from it. They will ride the wave to its highest heights and lowest depths and make or lose fortunes.
- Just further out, the second circle contains less invested experts. Consultants and authors and teachers speakers. I consider myself in this circle with respect to the big data movement. We are closer to the disruption than most people in the world and therefore know more about it. But we are just far enough that we cannot ride it to its windy peak and we will not get sucked in and drowned in the calamity.
- Further out still are the primary beneficiaries. The circles are getting larger and contain more people. At this point the waves are large enough for members to feel meaningful impact. Here lie customers, particularly early adopters, governments, and individuals that are going to benefit from the disruption with new revenue, new income, and new opportunities. I believe much less than 10% of today’s companies have stepped into this circle in the disruption of big data.
- Lastly are the observers. An army of people that see the action from the outside and wonder if they should get closer. They see the waves, the the fortunes, see the collapses, and either walk away or get drawn in.
If you are being drawn in I want to talk to you. I want to know why you are interested in big data. I want to what products you are considering, what consultants you are paying, what education are you considering, and why you care. Are you interested in big data for your business or yourself? Are you able to distinguish the big data hype from its realistic potential? Send me an email, which is on my about page.