Big Data Knows Your Name: You Better Know Hers

July 12, 2012

We are only halfway through the year, but Big Data seems on track to be crowned the official “hot” customer experience term for the year 2012.

A quick definition of Big Data from my pals over at Vivisimo:

“While “big data” lacks a formal definition, it generally refers to extremely large data sets that are too complex, diverse and/or fast-moving to manage and exploit using conventional data management technologies and methods.”

Yes, Big Data means an amount of data so large that it makes your company’s network break down in the corner and cry.

The infographic below from the folks at Get Satisfaction provides an excellent introduction to the scope of the issue and why Big Data is important to understand both as professionals and consumers.

A few statistics on Big Data from the infographic stand out:

15 out of 17 sectors in the United States have more data per company than the Library of Congress.
The potential increase in retailers’ operating margins from big data could be 60% (another advantage large corporations will have over small business).
Globally generated data is growing at 40% per year!!!

Big Data Infographic from Get Satisfaction — Source: Get Satisfaction blog. Click on picture for original.

I hope the above infographic helps give a sense of the importance of Big Data. We will speak more about Big Data in the coming months, as this trend is only going to increase in importance to our businesses and lives.

PS. All of the statistics from this infographic come from a report from McKinsey (pdf – link no longer active). Most of the actual report is not overly technical and worth taking a peek at.

What do you think of Big Data? Have you put on your tin foil hat yet?

7 thoughts on “Big Data Knows Your Name: You Better Know Hers”

jayme soulati
July 12, 2012 at 10:17 am

Oh, you’re so right…you know this from Social Slam, too, Adam! And, what fab graphic to pin on my boards. I’m thinking I don’t really care. I’m a content marketer; while it’s nice to know the numbers…I want to leave all that back-end analysis to those who can interpret.

Wait, wait…they can’t? Too much big data to wrap their arms around? We’ll see what flies with the crow…it’s too much…every survey is subject to interpretative skills; so too is big data. Who gets the final word?
1. Adam Toporek
  July 12, 2012 at 11:17 am
  
  You hit the nail on the head… who can interpret and who gets the final word. I think the final word ends up going to those with the resources to attempt the complex analysis that Big Data requires. I think it ends up becoming a pretty big arrow in the quiver of big business.
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Kaarina Dillabough
July 12, 2012 at 1:34 pm

This makes my head spin…and explode:) Thanks for sharing, but my oh my, soooooo much information in this online world! Cheers! Kaarina
1. Adam Toporek
  July 12, 2012 at 4:21 pm
  
  I know. The numbers are staggering.
Bill Dorman
July 12, 2012 at 3:57 pm

So, pretty big then, huh?

I like pictures BTW, I can follow that a lot better.

You definitely better know her though…..
1. Adam Toporek
  July 12, 2012 at 4:22 pm
  
  Yeah, I even made sure the picture had some insurance data on it, just for you!