Looking ahead to 2018

Every year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, I channel my inner geek and treat myself to new gadgets. My annual loot for 2017 included a Mevo camera, Nest smoke detectors, and an Amazon Echo Dot. Like many people who love technology, I never feel I’m quite done acquiring the latest and the greatest devices. One of the pieces of technology I’m interested in obtaining next is an Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. This led to a conversation with a complete stranger: a young waiter at The Original Pancake House.

The young man only just barely shared his opinion about the Rift, as he hadn’t heard of it before our conversation. However, I got a lot more from my conversation with the young man than simply his thoughts on the virtual reality device. He shared with me that he had been a hardcore video gamer, but almost entirely discontinued his hobby after he felt the need to make a living. He now avoids gaming to sleep better and be more attentive in the daytime. Our talk led me to reflect about my time at Microsoft.

In 2012, when I took on a leadership challenge at Microsoft to bring new energy to an outstanding group of technical professionals, I had focused on the topic of attention. Lack of sleep is not a new problem; it has existed from the dawn of civilization. However, the way it is manifesting today is a little different. The problem is too much information. New solutions to the issue of sleeplessness should take advantage of the machines and devices we are creating to provide engaging experiences outside of virtual spaces.

“With all the abundance we have of computers and computing, what is scarce is human attention and time.” - Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft

Our focus at Divergence Academy for the year 2018 stems from the fact that adult learners (30+) who are also working professionals may have both family and rapidly shifting career priorities permeating from digital transformation. Our three programs on Data Science, Cyber Security, and Cloud Computing are focused on career change, whether within an existing company or outside of it.

At our new company Divergence.AI, we have been dealing with similar age-old challenges, manifesting in new ways because of digital transformation. One such challenge is the Order-to-cash business process. Today’s retail vendors have to contend with OTIF (on-time in-full) compliance requirements from Walmart. In addition, Amazon has seller performance measurement requirements. At Divergence.AI, we use Process Mining to solve Forecast Accuracy and Truckload Optimization challenges for better Order-to-cash results.

“Energy flows where attention goes. What you focus on grows.” Whatever is the focus of your attention becomes more prominent in your mind. It’s one of those “hidden in plain sight” concepts, almost too obvious for us to fully grasp and consistently apply. Your attention and your focus is an aiming of energy. What you choose to direct your attention towards is what you choose to give power to.

We have graduated over 60 students in 2017 on-campus, and over 500 through our corporate learning programs with the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD).

Our tagline for 2018 is Data Science meets Cyber Security in the Cloud. Here is what that entails regarding our plans and goals for the upcoming year:

1. Deliver training programs focused on Cloud, Deep Learning, Process Mining, and Blockchain. In 2017, we trained our Data Science Immersive students to prepare for the exam 70-774 on Microsoft Azure, and our short-duration Data Science students on Amazon Web Services. (Check our event calendar for further details.)
2. Bring top-of-the-line Cyber Security training to the Dallas market. Our partnership with HackerUSA, the American arm of Israel’s top Cyber Security firm, will result in our providing Cyber Security training for Penetration Testing and Risk Management at the Academy. The recent announcement from Governor Greitens of Missouri about the partnership between his state and HackerUSA affirms that we couldn’t have a better partner for our Cyber Security journey. We are looking forward to driving change with focused learning initiatives together with them.
3. Be the best provider of AI-powered solutions for On-time In-full (OTIF) challenges. Our solutions include Deep Learning-based image classification within document processing workflow to expedite EDI, and Time-series analysis to forecast load times. Our partnership with Celonis draws on the experience of providing solutions in Distribution, Logistics/Supply Chain, and Master Data Management across many industries.  

Divergence.AI is a AI-powered process mining solutions company. Divergence.Academy is an institute that focuses on vocational training for today’s digitally transforming workforce. The bridge from vocational training to building great solutions is getting shorter by the day thanks to the abundance of computers and computing.

I believe there is an implicit assumption that when a student signs up for a course or an enterprise signs a work order, that we will provide great services. The feedback that we have received through testimonials validate our vision of being a “Simple solution linking education to industry.” We are the bridge for the contemporary AI-powered solutions that include Management consulting, Solutions architecture, and Project delivery. We look forward to serving you. Thank you to our students, staff, partners, and other crew members for their help in helping Divergence Academy and Divergence.AI grow and succeed.

Happy New Year!