Leading With Data· a Bicycle Guide

Partial book profile

Competing on Analytics Updated, with a New Introduction the New Science of Winning.

Davenport, Thomas H.Harris, Jeanne G.

Organizations can achieve sustainable competitive advantage by building a distinctive capability based on the extensive and systematic use of data, quantitative analysis, and fact-based management to outthink and outexecute their competition.

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What it’s about

In an era where traditional sources of competitive advantage like products and technology are easily copied, "Competing on Analytics" reveals a new and powerful basis for winning. Authors Davenport and Harris demonstrate how leading companies like Netflix, Caesars, and UPS are outthinking and outexecuting their rivals by embedding data, statistical analysis, and fact-based decision-making into their core strategies and processes. This book is not just about having data; it's a guide to transforming your organization's culture, leadership, and capabilities to make smarter decisions, optimize key processes, and ultimately achieve superior business performance. It lays out a clear roadmap for any leader seeking to move beyond intuition and build a lasting competitive edge through the new science of winning.

The through-line

Who it’s for
A business leader, manager, or strategist who feels their company is falling behind and wants to find a new, sustainable source of competitive advantage in a marketplace where products, services, and technologies are quickly commoditized. They want to make smarter, faster, and more confident decisions to drive growth and profitability.
The problem
Competitors are gaining market share, margins are shrinking, and traditional strategies are no longer effective. The company is data-rich but insight-poor, struggling to turn its vast amounts of information into tangible business value. The leader feels frustrated by decisions based on gut feel, anecdotes, and politics. They are tired of 'not knowing' and suspect their organization is leaving money on the table by failing to leverage its data assets. They feel the pressure of digital disruption and the need to change but don't know how.
The plan
  1. Assess your organization's position on the five-stage model of analytical maturity.
  2. Systematically build your capabilities using the DELTA model (Data, Enterprise, Leadership, Targets, Analysts).
  3. Choose a path: either 'Full Steam Ahead' with executive sponsorship or 'Prove-It' with smaller projects to build momentum.
  4. Apply analytics to optimize the distinctive capabilities that define your strategy, focusing on both internal and external processes.
  5. Continuously innovate with new data, algorithms, and technologies to stay on the leading edge of analytical competition.
The payoff
Your organization consistently outthinks and outexecutes the competition. · Decisions are made faster, with more confidence, and are based on facts, not politics or gut feel. · The company achieves superior financial results, including higher revenue, profitability, and market share.

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