March 3, 2020

Operating in Between Science and Art: Business Analytics Expert Leon Blackshaw, Head of Data Science at IRI, Presents at a Promotable Event


As part of Promotable’s series of talks, Leon Blackshaw, Strategic Analytics Director of IRI, data provider to the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, encouraged taking a approach blending science and art when driving value from analyzing data. At a high level, Leon represented the domain of science with a portrait of Einstein (1817–1955) and one of Picasso (1881–1973) representing the domain of art. I recalled these respective, yet iconic, musings:

According to Einstein → “It can scarcely be denied that the supreme goal of all theory is to make the irreducible basic elements as simple and as few as possible without having to surrender the adequate representation of a single datum of experience.”

According to Picasso → “I can hardly understand the importance given to the word ‘research’ in connection with modern painting. In my opinion, to search means nothing in painting. To find is the thing.”

Einstein advocated simplicity. Picasso emphasized findability. Both are coveted goals—directly applicable to the world of data analytics and data science where dis/uncovering an insight from data is the goal. When working with data, simplify the path toward understanding and find the answers to the question posed. A couple of key calls to action that are motivating in themselves to keep working at making truly data-driven decisions.

To view Leon’s complete talk about CPG analytics and more, go to Promotable’s channel on YouTube.

Thanks again to Promotable who proactively connect their workshops with timely perspectives through their organizing of weekly talks!


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