Data-driven Decision Making

Since the Cambridge Analytica Facebook data scandal, the number one question I’ve been asked is, “What Facebook data did they get?” The second most popular question is, “What did Cambridge Analytica do with it?” Let’s review: Continue Reading →

Shelly Palmer talks with Sukanya Krishnan and Jennifer Lahmers about Microsoft’s emergency software update and growing concerns about ID theft on Twitter. Continue Reading →

Real fake news articles feature fabricated stories crafted to push a particular agenda. In most cases, the thesis of the article is supported by alternative facts (lies). But there are more subtle, more insidious types of fake news. Specifically, articles that might pass a cursory fact check, but have been written to espouse a point of view unintended by the original author. Here’s a quick case study that demonstrates the technique and clearly illustrates why it will be nearly impossible to stop. Continue Reading →

Wikiality is Facebook’s answer to fake news, alternative facts, and truthiness. Facebook, the social media giant, is going to let you rank the news you think is most valuable. What could possibly go wrong? Continue Reading →

Once a beacon of optimism, the tech industry has come under pressure as concerns about potential negative impacts of innovation mount. Here are three ways to approach the problem. Let's discuss. Continue Reading →

To put AI to work for your brand, you must first set up a game you and your AI coworker can win. The questions you ask your AI coworker to answer need to be appropriate. Continue Reading →

Welcome to the TV industry’s latest bit of magic ... prestidigitalization. It’s a new twist on the old sleight-of-measurement trick. Here’s how it works. You buy TV the old-fashioned way because, well, that’s how you buy TV. The ratings suck. You want to pay less because you’re getting less. TV says, “You’re not getting less. Look at our newly crafted, data-driven metrics. We’re delivering premium audiences across omni-channel touchpoints and generating better return-on-ad-spends than ever!” If you can brush the buzzwords off your shoulder, you respond, “Yeah, but Nielsen says the ratings are down.” And TV triumphantly concludes, “Nielsen sucks! Here’s how we prestidigitally measure your success.” Continue Reading →

I happened upon a relatively new employee dragging emails from his inbox into folders. I asked why and was told, “I’m just answering emails and getting stuff off my desk.” An empty inbox may be emotionally satisfying to look at, but in practice, you should never do it. Here’s why. Continue Reading →

Congress wants answers. It’s caveat emptor if someone boosts (pays to advertise) a Facebook post about a new fruit smoothie that prevents cancer, heart disease, and warts. But suggest to a professional politician that the same exact Facebook advertising might adversely affect that politician’s ability to get reelected, and it’s time for a congressional hearing. Continue Reading →

Professional negotiators often wax poetic about win-win outcomes: where both sides cooperate and compromise. In practice, win-win is never a dominant strategy. Lose-lose almost always beats it. Here’s why. Continue Reading →