The Power of Community

Over the past few weeks, we've been traveling across the country, meeting with various People Analytics leaders and practitioners. Our journey took us from New York to Austin, Dallas, Florida, and all the way to San Francisco. One remarkable aspect of the People Analytics community is how close-knit and supportive everyone is. Compared to other analytics sectors, People Analytics is relatively young, with ample room for growth. Despite this, it boasts one of the most open and collaborative communities I've encountered in my entire career.

In the past, companies could achieve success with exceptional products, leaders, or sales teams. However, there has been a radical shift towards the importance of community over the past few years. Platforms like Notion and Discord have built vibrant communities, contributing significantly to their impressive growth. While having a great product remains crucial and should never be understated, bringing people together has become foundational to success.

Recognizing this trend and understanding the eagerness people have to connect on a personal level after the past few years, we decided to host and attend meet-ups around the country with other People Analytics practitioners. One recurring theme stood out: “The era of the great founder is over; we are in the era of great teams.”

San Francisco Meetup:

We had the opportunity to spend time at the Discord HQ, thanks to the incredible Discord team! They have been fantastic partners and gracious customers. I hadn’t been to San Francisco in over four years, so I didn’t know what to expect given all the changes. But once I arrived, I quickly remembered why people love the Bay Area. The weather was perfect, and the startup scene is thriving, with companies constantly building and scaling. In coffee shops, I overheard conversations ranging from engineering and bug fixes to sales strategies for closing deals. The atmosphere buzzed with innovation and progress, making it easy to see the appeal. Still, I have to say, I love the East Coast’s four seasons! Haha!

During our trip, we met some amazing customers, but the highlight was the gathering at Discord HQ. We discussed various topics, from skills mapping to hiring selection algorithms. Instead of a formal presentation, we encouraged organic micro-conversations. This approach was incredibly effective, as I moved from seat to seat, engaging with different People Analytics professionals.

Here are five key takeaways from the People Analytics Meetup in San Francisco:

1. Craving In-Person Connections: Even in a hybrid working world, people are craving in-person connections more than ever. For this event, we had over 60 attendees who were thrilled to connect with other People Analytics practitioners face-to-face. The energy and engagement in the room were palpable, underscoring the value of in-person interactions. These connections foster deeper relationships, facilitate better networking, and enhance collaborative efforts within the community.
2. Sharing Knowledge: What may come easily to you could be a significant learning opportunity for someone else. We encourage everyone to share their knowledge and experiences. In the People Analytics community, there is immense value in exchanging insights and best practices. Your unique perspective or solution to a problem could be exactly what another practitioner needs to overcome their challenges. By sharing, we all grow stronger and more capable.
3. Skills Mapping: Skills mapping, despite its recent resurgence, is an age-old issue that People Analytics practitioners have been grappling with for years. Identifying, tracking, and developing skills within an organization is crucial for workforce planning and employee development. Effective skills mapping helps organizations align their talent with their strategic goals, ensuring that the right people are in the right roles. It's an ongoing challenge that requires continuous attention and adaptation to new methods and tools.
4. Building Strong Data Foundations: While flashy analytics and AI tools are impressive and valuable, the foundation of strong data remains the most critical aspect. Without reliable and well-structured data, advanced analytics can lead to misguided insights and poor decision-making. People are increasingly recognizing the importance of building and maintaining robust data foundations. This involves ensuring data accuracy, consistency, and accessibility, which are essential for any meaningful analysis and subsequent actions.
5. The Power of Stories: Stories are incredibly powerful. When it comes to products, all things being equal, people tend to connect more deeply with stories. Whether it's a success story about how a product solved a critical problem or a narrative about the journey of creating the product, stories resonate on a personal level. They help people understand the value and impact of a product beyond its technical specifications. In People Analytics, sharing stories about real-world applications and successes can inspire others and demonstrate the tangible benefits of the tools and methodologies we use.

It was an incredible gathering, and we look forward to attending more in the future! Stay tuned for more announcements!

Theme of the Month: Actionable People Analytics

People Analytics should lead to actionable insights! This is a message we constantly emphasize to anyone who will listen, and in the spirit of maintaining message discipline, I’ll say it here again: if it doesn’t lead to action, then it is incomplete in its purpose. However, for People Analytics to be actionable, the foundations must be built with concrete and steel, not sand.

Often, analysts produce incredible analytics, only for stakeholders to respond with, “That number doesn’t look correct.” The analyst then spends hours, days, or even weeks consolidating data and figuring out what went wrong. By the time they identify the issue, the need for the data has often passed. This cycle is a common challenge for many People Analytics teams.

During our conversations with People Analytics practitioners at our San Francisco meetup, the topic of strong data foundations repeatedly surfaced. While we discussed AI and its applications, the conversation consistently returned to the importance of having a robust data foundation. Without reliable and accurate data, even the most sophisticated analytics can fall short. Ensuring that your data is solid and dependable is the core component of any actionable analytics strategy.

To achieve this, organizations need to invest in proper data governance, validation processes, and continuous monitoring. This foundation enables analysts to produce insights that stakeholders can trust and act upon immediately, thereby maximizing the impact of People Analytics.

External News Review

Article ? The global tech outage - and how much it cost

Last week's CrowdStrike software glitch caused a massive global IT outage, disrupting computers, canceling flights, and affecting hospitals. The incident, described as the largest IT outage in history, is estimated to cost Fortune 500 companies over $5 billion in direct losses.

The outage began when an update to CrowdStrike's Falcon cybersecurity software caused millions of Microsoft Windows computers to crash due to a bug in the cloud-based testing system. The healthcare and banking sectors were the hardest hit, with losses of $1.94 billion and $1.15 billion, respectively.

CrowdStrike quickly corrected the issue but millions of devices had already been affected. The company plans to enhance its validation processes and adopt a staggered approach to updates to prevent future incidents.

What does this mean for People Analytics?

The incident which causes global disruptions underscores a critical lesson for HR Technology and People Analytics: the importance of robust data foundations and contingency planning. Here are 6 implications to think about:

1. Critical Infrastructure Dependence: The incident highlighted the vulnerability of relying heavily on single points of failure. For HR technology, this means ensuring that systems and data storage solutions are diversified and not overly dependent on one provider. Contingency plans must be in place to handle potential outages or disruptions without paralyzing operations.
2. Data Integrity and Reliability: The $5 billion loss for Fortune 500 companies due to data issues underscores the need for accurate and reliable data. In People Analytics, data integrity is paramount. Inaccurate data can lead to poor decision-making, which could severely impact talent management, employee satisfaction, and overall organizational performance.
3. Resilient Systems and Processes: The glitch demonstrates the necessity of having resilient systems. For HR tech, this means investing in solutions that ensure continuous access to critical data and analytics tools. Regular testing, validation, and updates are essential to maintain system integrity and reliability.
4. Proactive Risk Management: HR professionals must adopt proactive risk management strategies. This includes regular audits of systems and data, implementing stringent data governance policies, and ensuring that there are backup plans for data access and recovery.
5. Enhancing Data Foundations: Just as CrowdStrike plans to enhance its validation processes and adopt a staggered update approach, HR tech systems should focus on building strong data foundations. This involves comprehensive data validation checks, robust data governance frameworks, and scalable data architectures that can adapt to changing needs and prevent disruptions.
6. Importance of Collaboration: The event highlighted the value of collaboration across different sectors to address such crises. Similarly, HR professionals should foster a collaborative environment where insights and best practices are shared to mitigate risks and enhance the effectiveness of People Analytics.

Parting thoughts (Until Next Week)

As we conclude this issue of eqtble Watercooler, I’m reminded of the incredible power of community and collaboration in the People Analytics space. Our recent travels across the country—from New York to San Francisco—have shown just how supportive and open this community is.

The shift towards building vibrant communities, as seen with platforms like Notion and Discord, underscores the importance of connection and collaboration for success. We’ve embraced this trend, hosting and attending meet-ups to foster these invaluable relationships.

As we adopt advanced technologies for better decision-making, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and proactive. Though the journey can be overwhelming, let’s remember that continuous learning is key. “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Let’s keep going on this journey together.

Until next time!

Joseph Ifiegbu