Why is that around 200 or more key decision-maker corporate execs, and more than 50 “invited speakers” give up a rainy Tuesday and Wednesday in central London, to talk about a topic that for most of humanity, has no engagement value whatsoever. We review the recent Chief Data and Analytics Officer conference from Corinium Intelligence, and ask some penetrating questions.
It’s a tricky one. And not just because it is indeed raining. The train strikes in the UK – for the weekend just past – still have a knock-on effect, and I am running late. I skip past the equally late commuters emerging from Liverpool Street train station, try to avoid slipping on the frankly dangerous by this time concourse – and run up the venue stairs and up the imposing escalator.
I am trying to look the part. I am wearing an Aquascutum long beige mackintosh, a blue blazer, beige scarf and knitted tie. I sort of look important and the girl at the desk smiles, glances at her box of delegate passes, hands me my badge. At least she doesn’t say “have a nice day”. We are in England, thank God. I leave my case and coat with the young lady at the cloakroom, who also smiles – and I am in.
They have just started, It is busy but not crowded, relaxed but not soporific. Kshitija Joshi, VP (Data Science) at Nomura, is already in full flow, – and she is good. Her chosen topic – “Embarking On a Data Odyssey – How Generative AI is Set to Revolutionise Data Management”, is direct and uncompromising. She eloquently transits between her various subtopics and is totally comfortable in her own skin as she leans forward and delivers her points in a University Seminar style, taking the moment for each of her rhetorical questions, to examine the deeper issues and consequences of whatever path she is describing. It is both academic and commercially valuable.
I glance across the table. Giuseppe Lenci, a specialist in Business Intelligence at the Van Oord company ( he flew in from Holland the night before) – raises his hand, and asks a question. Kshitija looks directly at him, takes a second, and gives a comprehensive and considered answer. The microphone gets passed to me and I ask a question about Use Cases, – and on we go.
“I’ve come over, to learn from others”, Giuseppe tells me, as we chat in the ensuing break.
And that’s when I understand.
Sure, if people want to receive a consulting based sales pitch – there are plenty of adroit and relevant vendors and exhibitors, adjacent to our Seminar hall, so to say – and people go and come, take a coffee, as they will – but the secret sauce of this year’s CDAO UK, is the bringing to your table, of people who know about their subject.
And once you accept that “data” is the glue that is now holding our digital world together – then it is pretty obvious that you will want to listen to the best, that know how to do whatever it is that you do not.
What is perhaps more surprising, is that despite the technical impression of the overall subject matter – the discussion groups and small focus teams, that continue throughout the day, are equally relaxed and conversational, and their points are management relevant as opposed to tech intricacies. There are very few slides and a complete absence of “pitch decks” – all of us are learning more by simply letting our speakers, do what they are here to do, which is… “speak”.
Typically, Janthana Kaenprakhamroy, CEO of the Tapoly Insurance company – talked about AI and the 93% increase in efficiency this has given her business. Everybody has a story to tell, and there are no passengers.
Wandering around the social areas and small lines of vendors etc, the impression is that this year, this event is perhaps a little more subdued. And that would be wrong. We are no longer in the first rush of post-COVID. We ourselves are more relaxed about being with others – we know the deal.
There is a surprising hubbub of background noise, with are small groups of four chairs and tables, in earnest conversation.
And you pick and choose the pathways that you wanted to look at. I picked Option B, “How to Retain My Good People” – yes, it’s a data value question – but it is also about employee recognition. There were approx 30 of us as we found a convenient chair.
People were beginning to find some private space – yes, none of us can escape the real time need to be in contact with our outside real world, but that is all understood. As the day goes on, and in preparation for the following day – we have already made our key connections, exchanged our contact details, scanned our badges.
Apparently my trains back to the West Country are back on schedule. I have one at 19.04 which I can probably make. Delegates are in deep discussions. I pick up my coat and case, – the same young lady is still there, perhaps a little tired, and I head down to the new Elizabeth Line.