Simon Asplen-Taylor - Data and Analytics Strategy for Business: Unlock Data Assets and Increase Innovation with a Results-Driven Data Strategy

In my experience, taking people somewhere theyve not been before requires leadership and trust, whether thats climbing Everest or making a success of your business through the use of data and analytics. In Data and Analytics Strategy for Business, Simon Asplen-Taylor cuts through the jargon and provides a clear route for success.

Kenton Cool, 15 successful Everest summits, one of the worlds greatest high-altitude mountaineers and leaders, expedition leader behind Sir Ranulph Fienness north face of the Eiger ascent and Everest summit

One of the benefits of going digital is that organizations can collect, review and analyse enormous quantities of data. Correctly interpreting this data provides the intelligence which enables a business to understand the consumer and marketplace in a completely new way. Successful organizations require a clear data strategy and a disciplined set of operational processes. Simon Asplen-Taylor shows in practical detail how to make this happen in the real world. He demonstrates that data is key but reveals that an effective data officer never loses sight of the commercial application and human element of the intelligence created.

Kevin Gaskell, serial entrepreneur, and former MD, Porsche GB and BMW GB

Brilliant book! Genuinely the best and most readable book for existing and aspiring CDOs. Every CEO should read the first chapter. Simon Asplen-Taylor has shared his significant expertise to create the go-to data guide for business and data leaders. Data and Analytics Strategy for Business uses examples from a wide range of organizations to explain why data can revolutionize a business. A genuinely good read, the books structure superbly guides the reader through all aspects of delivering a data and analytics strategy with vital tools and tips. Whether your organization is struggling with trust in its reports or ready to launch the bots, this book is for you.

Nina Monckton, Head of Data, Just Group plc

Businesses operate in an increasingly complex and fast-moving environment, where making the right decision at the right time can mean the difference between winning and losing. Key to this is the successful management and use of data, underpinned by a robust data strategy. Data and Analytics Strategy for Business provides a structured approach to show how you can succeed whether you are just embarking on your journey, part way through or just fine tuning. The book is full of practical advice, anecdotes and experiences to help you win and not lose.

Carl Bates, former Senior Partner, Data and Analytics, and leader of the Ventures practice, Deloitte

One of the ways we can encourage women into data leadership roles is to provide the advice and methods to help remove barriers, while sponsoring next-generation leaders. In Data and Analytics Strategy for Business, Simon Asplen-Taylor does just that. He has shared his experiences and strategies for success to create a level playing field for all data leaders. He also talks specifically about how to build and leverage the strengths of a diverse team.

Roisin McCarthy, Founder, Women in Data

As we strive to gain more value from our data assets, we create more risk, opportunity and motivation for breaches. Simon Asplen-Taylors new book, Data and Analytics Strategy for Business, provides amazing insight on how you can create more value in your organizations data while also ensuring its security! Highly recommended.

Ned Finn, CISO, Currys

A very interesting book in such an important and contemporary area of knowledge and skills. Data analytics is not just an area of knowledge that you need to learn more about, but it is considered to be a crucial skill that is required for every business. Therefore, this book is a great addition to the intellectual body of knowledge that can help students, especially those studying post experience executive programmes, such as MBAs and DBAs, to gain clear insights of the key elements of business analytics and to acquire the required set of skills to compete in the changing world of practice.

Amir Michael, Professor of Accounting and Associate Dean (MBA, DBA), Durham University Business School, UK

The world of a chief data officer (CDO) requires a full understanding of how a business operates, the sector it works within and the people involved. Simon Asplen-Taylors book gives a fine insight into the approaches, decisions and specific actions a CDO can use to bring real value to an organization and make it a critical part of business strategy.

Helen Crooks, Chief Data Officer, Ofgem

Beyond his remarkable expertise across all the complexities of todays data sphere, this book clearly demonstrates Simon Asplen-Taylors mastery of the art of data storytelling. Yet, what makes it even more compelling is that it is so helpfully structured in waves that align to the variety of levels across the entire data maturity spectrum making it instantly transformative regardless of where an organization currently finds itself in its data journey. This book is an absolute essential for anyone who wants to successfully leverage the abundant value that can be derived from data and analytics.

Edosa Odaro, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Tawuniya, and author of Making Data Work

Simon Asplen-Taylor is one of the most experienced and successful data leaders in Europe, having served as chief data officer for several FTSE firms and led some of the largest data-led transformations in Europe.

He specializes in transforming businesses through the use of data, analytics and artificial intelligence whilst delivering significant upside in revenue, customer satisfaction, organization efficiency, cost reduction and reduced risk. He has a unique depth and breadth of data experience covering more than 30 years across many industries, having led the data capabilities at Lloyds of London, Tesco, Rackspace, Regus, BUPA, UBS and Bank of America Merrill Lynch and been a data consulting leader at IBM and Detica.

His major achievements include:

• For a UK FTSE 100 financial services organization, delivering a $1 billion per annum contribution to the bottom line and also generating a significant uplift in share price.

• For a FTSE 250 business, delivering a 64 per cent improvement in the companys margin through the use of data.

• Troubleshooting and fixing the data capabilities of two organizations under direct threat from regulators.

• Being a leader in the data and analytics consulting practices of BAE systems and IBM advising clients across financial services, telco, retail, entertainment, media and insurance.

• Designing and leading the implementation of the data ecosystem for the UKs financial regulator, which in turn supported the first prosecution of insider dealing in the UK.

He has an MBA from Durham University, is a Fellow of the British Computer Society and a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society. He has studied artificial intelligence at MIT.

His awards include being shortlisted for Data Leader of the Year (2019) and DataIQ100 top 100 influential people in data (2020 and 2021), the only fully curated list of influential people in data and analytics. He is a frequent data blogger and regular speaker, panel member and chairman at data events. He is a keen sailor and an avid rugby supporter.