Oluwatayo Winkunle, ACIB, EMBA

In a case where clear guidelines have been set and the team member keeps ignoring the rules, having a one-on-one with the colleague would be my approach to understand why they keep ignoring the rules. They might not fully grasp the importance or they're struggling with the tool. Next, I'll emphasize the consequences and negative impact of their actions (or inactions) on the team and the entire business operations. Where possible, I'll also put data validation mechanisms in place.

Maintaining a constructive and open mindset is crucial in situations like this especially if it is coming from an HIPPO (Highest Paid Person's Opinion). First, actively listen to understand the feedback fully without interrupting or becoming defensive. Listen and acknowledge, it shows that you value their input. Second, evaluate the criticism objectively, assessing its validity and considering how it can improve the quality and accuracy of your analysis. You can do this by asking questions to fully understand the basis of their criticism. This can help reveal any underlying concerns or misconceptions. Third, politely and clearly present the data behind your analysis. Use visual aids and concrete examples to make your points more compelling.

It's always helpful to bring data to the table. People barely argue when the facts is presented right before them. Presenting the data isn't enough still, you must have also earned their trust enough while telling your story (with the data) in a convincing manner. Overall, tell a story that ties back to the organizational goals and objectives.

1. Contribute to Projects: Offer to assist with cross-departmental projects or initiatives. This allows you to collaborate with individuals outside your immediate team and showcase your skills to a broader audience. 2. Utilize Social Media: Connect with professionals on LinkedIn and follow industry influencers. Engage in relevant discussions, share insights, and showcase your internship experiences. 3. Seek Informational Interviews: Request informational interviews with professionals in your desired field. Use these meetings to learn about their career paths, seek advice, and establish connections.

Data is as good as the experience you bring to it. Having data is not enough. More value is derived from the data that knowledge, experience and creativity has been added to. The goal of data enrichment is to create a more comprehensive and valuable dataset, providing a deeper understanding of the data and its context. One approach that I have found useful is categorization and classification. E.g., when analyzing a bank account portfolio using large transaction data spanning different bounds, employing band analysis on large transaction data helps identify customer segments contributing to revenue loss or gain for the bank.

Usability testing also come in handy here. In fact, I always recommend performing a usability test with the prototyped product design before going to development. This way, you acquire first hand feedback, measure the pulse of your intended users before commiting time and effort to your limited resources of time, money and talents. Let the participants complete typical or core tasks in your software application while you observe, listen and take notes. This way, you have a clear-cut idea on what to build, eliminating any waste process that might have existed prior to the test.