Big Data: Using SMART Big Data, Analytics and Metrics To Make Better Decisions and Improve Performance 1st Edition

Although I have always worked with Engineers and Software professionals in many techn ical areas and Industries I am not a Technical person, but I read and am able to comprend or to pick up the nuances of the particular Industry.I always like to read Industry Leading Professionasl who have the ability to take complex subjects and make it understandable to Lay practicioners in the Industry.Bermard Marr has done that in " Big Data". He takes the Concept of "Big Data" which has become the Hot Topic in every area of Business optimization and potential innovative opportunity for the next 20 years and offers many insightfull case studies to KISS "Keep It Simple s"Mr Marr takes the HYPE of what do we do with our data; and breaks it down into SMART Data. Five steps to learn how to ask the right QUESTIONS about your company and the DATA internal and external so that the Questions get answers that are relevant to solutions that will benefit your business or application.

Interesting read. I enjoyed the approach the author took i.e. looking at smart data and not just big data. This approach opens the door to companies in the SME sector who may not have the IT resources to initiate some huge big data project using expensive software. Instead smaller amounts of data are perfectly legitimate for examination and yielding interesting patterns. The author takes common sense approaches such as encouraging companies to first ask themselves "what are we looking for?" instead of diving blindly into masses of data hoping that something will pop out. This more focused approach is done using a standardised template that is repeatedly referred to throughout the book. This template covers all parts of the business i.e. financials, sales, customers, marketing etc. I also liked the approach whereby companies are encouraged to use more recent data, there's no point looking through sales invoices from 20 years ago! The book is straight forward and doesn't try to be too philosophical or algorithmic focused liked other big data titles. This is to it's credit.

Bernard knows Big Data. I love the SMART approach he takes in presenting the concept and use of Big Data. The acronym SMART has been used with different meaning in numerous environments with great success. SMART in my world of simulation meant Simulation and Modeling for Acquisition, Research and Training. I designed class rooms using SMART (the company) technology. Bernard has done a SMART thing with Big Data, for he is very SMART. With all fun aside, this is a must read for anyone who wants to learn about Big Data. Written in plain language, well organized with ample graphical aids, I am sure you will love it.I would completely disregard the one and two star ratings (one each). They are entitled to their wrong opinion. Perhaps they should try to write a book that all audiences can take in. It is difficult to do and Bernard has done it very well.

Good, not great but pretty well organized and informative. It would get another star if it weren't so derivative of the book Big Data by Mayer-schonberger and cuiker. It does have number of novel insights relevant to business.

This is a great book! It is not for data scientists, but rather for sales,marketing and strategy people, executives and board members of Big Data firms. It is also for those who are seeking to make a high level Big Data solution buying decision. The book is written in plain English and there are lots of case studies. Importantly, the author also talks about the negatives about the business--in addition to all the positives. Bernard Marr's "Big Data" was needed in the marketplace and is very timely...

I would recommend this for analysts who want an overview of directing organizations to harvest the power of big data for decision making. It highlights some opportunities, and I'm happy it addresses the ethical issue.

Great starting point for anyone interested in Data analytics, whether for career or school. Easy to understand with good summaries and tables of main points throughout

I just had different expectations. I read a summary of what I had already known. I was looking for more practical advice, ideas for building metrics.