Good At Business: January Edition - "New Year, New Tricks"
This month, we're all about ‘New Year, New Tech Tricks'
Well, well, well
I guess I am in your inbox now.
Just when you thought you could escape me, I find another way to sneak into your life.
Resistance is futile. And since it’s January, for our inaugural edition of the Good At Business® (GAB) newsletter, I wanted to focus on the New Year and share my not-so-secret secrets for how to be Good At Business.
So buckle up and learn how to make 2024 your meh-est year ever.
Let’s do this.
“So… what is this?”
That is a great question and one I ask myself often.
Reality is a simulation and time is a construct, the linearity of which is merely an illusion. There is no future, past or present. Time is a flat circle.
“Carly, stop making cryptic existential references and just tell me what the hell this newsletter is all about.”
Fine.
Good At Business started as a joke. A signal to those of you who know me that I know that you know that I am unhinged.
Because what does it even mean to be Good At Business? It’s a paradox. If you seriously think you’re Good At Business you probably aren’t. But if you embrace that nobody in the corporate world has any idea what they are doing and everyone is just stumbling along then maybe, just maybe, you actually are Good At Business.
Still unclear on what it means?
Good. Me too.
So what can you expect from me every month?
Here’s a rough outline of what we will discuss every month.
Introduction
Some general thoughts and ramblings.
Main Course
The meat of the newsletter will be in the main course. Here I will deep dive into a topic that I find interesting and hope will be helpful to those of you in the data/AI space.
The Ethical Edge
This is where you will find Pro Tips for being Good At Business.
This section will feature both Life Pro Tips (LPTs) and Unethical Life Pro Tips (ULPTs).
ULPTs aren’t necessarily unethical, but are unconventional ways to approach problems. I don’t always like the conventional wisdom that gets floated around online, so the ULPT section is where we will investigate some alternative ways of thinking.
Advice Corner
Here we will crowdsource knowledge from my more successful friends, since I only have so much to offer.
Cool Stuff
I’ll wrap up each month with a recommendation. It could be a book, a TV show, or maybe a recipe. Who knows? I sure as hell don’t.
And with that, let’s get started on the January Main Course.
January Main Course: Stare into my crystal ball 🔮
It’s January which means it is the perfect time for me to put my foot squarely in my mouth and make some random predictions about the future.
Top 5 Data Predictions for 2024
From quantum computing to the rise of decentralized data ecosystems, I’ve got your tech forecast covered. Spoiler alert: You might want to learn Q#.
Quantum Computing Goes Mainstream: Word on the street is that quantum computing is set to transition from research to practical applications, offering unprecedented processing power for complex data sets as 2024 marks a pivotal shift from experimental labs to real-world applications. Expect a revolution in processing power, enabling data scientists to work with more sophisticated data models and solve complex problems that were previously intractable.
AI and Machine Learning - Ethical and Advanced: We will continue to see huge strides here as artificial Intelligence becomes more nuanced and sophisticated, driving more personalized and accurate predictive analytics across various sectors. These advancements will specifically enhance decision-making and innovation in areas like healthcare.
Concurrently, the focus on ethical AI will intensify, emphasizing the need for transparent, unbiased algorithms that respect privacy. Ethical AI will influence technology development, public policy, and corporate governance, aligning technological growth with human values.
Data Privacy Takes a Front Seat: In most places (except the U.S.) data privacy is already taken pretty seriously. I anticipate we will see even more heightened awareness and regulations around data privacy that will influence how companies manage data. Expect tighter controls and new compliance requirements, reflecting a global shift towards greater data protection.
Stop Hacking Pls: The cost of being hacked just keeps going up, and businesses are finally starting to take notice. The need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information is becoming even more paramount. Expect advancements in threat analysis and mitigation, including enhanced network security solutions and strategies to protect against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Since 2024 will also bring tighter data privacy regulations, this shift will necessitate new compliance standards and technologies, making data privacy and cybersecurity a critical area of focus for all organizations.
Decentralized Data Ecosystems Gain Traction: The renewed focus on privacy and security almost necessitates this change. Decentralized data storage - where data is stored in multiple locations rather than a single central point - will gain more popularity in 2024 for its enhanced security and reduced breach risks. Decentralized data ecosystems offer users more control and alignment with broader trends towards data sovereignty. Expect to see a rise in new platforms and technologies supporting this decentralized approach.
The Ethical Edge
Where we focus on the 90% ethical (and 10% unethical) ways you can be Good At Business
Here at GAB, we’re all about non-conventional approaches to the non-conventional twists and turns of the tech world. In this section you will find some Ethical Pro Tips (LPTs) and Unethical Pro Tips (ULPTs) to help you be Really Good At Business.
Ethical Pro Tips (LPTs)
Set Specific and Measurable Goals: Instead of vague resolutions like "do better at work" or “eat less candy,” set specific, measurable objectives like "complete a professional certification by June" or “stop eating Sour Patch Kids for breakfast.” This approach provides clarity and a tangible target to aim for.
Break Down Large Goals: Large goals can be overwhelming. Break them into smaller, manageable tasks with individual deadlines. For example, if your goal is to learn a new programming language, start with a smaller goal of learning how to do one task in that language by a specific deadline. And if that task requires multiple steps, break it down into smaller steps and set deadlines for each step. (Super life pro tip - learning to work this way will also help you if you are ever working on an Agile team and need to break your work into manageable tickets for sprint planning!)
The Two Day Rule: It's okay to drop the ball sometimes. Nobody is perfect, especially when trying to establish new habits. So regardless of what new habit you’re trying to form (productivity, health, etc.) it is totally fine to miss a day here or there. But if you want to really change for the better and form new habits that stick, never miss two days in a row of your new routine.
Unethical Pro Tips (ULPTs)
Leverage Your Laziness. Have you ever heard the saying “the best diet is the one you will adhere to?” For example, if Taco Bell needs to be a part of your new diet or you won’t stand a chance, you should be honest with yourself and make sure to leave space for a Crunchwrap Supreme here and there. Similarly, if you're unlikely to wake up at 5 am to workout and listen to tech podcasts, don't set that as a goal. Instead, choose a more manageable goal like listening to one podcast in the evening during a walk instead of doom-scrolling on Instagram. This approach utilizes your inclinations, making it more likely you'll achieve your goals.
Advice Corner
Today we are talking to Dylan Anderson, Lead Data Strategy Consultant and LinkedIn content creator, about his tips and tricks on making an impactful data resume.
How did you decide on the order of the sections in your resume?
Unless you are just graduating from school, you need to start with employment experience. Skills and interests comes last as it is a nice to know. If you have an objective section, put this first.
How did you try to differentiate your resume to make it stand out?
Calling out key skills - Hiring managers want to see what key skills you have, which is why I recommend calling out specific skills with each line of experience bolded at the top. Under that I list the detail using the STAR method.
Formatting - Bolding, hyperlinking to online proof points and using icons calls out areas that you want to call out specifically and makes it look less drab. The hyperlinks are key now because there should be things you want to call out online (no hiring manager is going to manually type in a web address).
Quantified value that is easy to understand - Linking skills to realistic financial targets or strategic outputs immediately demonstrates the value one can bring. And make it easy to understand how you brought that value to the forefront (don’t confuse with complex phrasing and confusing jargon).
Is there any other resume advice you would like to offer?
Keep it to one-page unless you have tons of extra experience (10+ years). This means being very concise and picky about what you include.
Avoid the use of we, and use I instead (very hard for me as a consultant to do this).
Link your resume to online portfolios, blogs, GitHubs, and LinkedIn profiles because those are often differentiators in the data hiring world.
Thanks Dylan! Where can we find you?
Find me on my LinkedIn where I talk about career, analytics, consulting, data strategy, and personal development! linkedin.com/in/dylansjanderson
Book Recommendation: “We Are Legion (We Are Bob)"
Bob Johansson has just sold his software company and is looking forward to a life of leisure. There are places to go, books to read, and movies to watch. So it's a little unfair when he gets himself killed crossing the street.
Bob wakes up a century later to find that corpsicles have been declared to be without rights, and he is now the property of the state. He has been uploaded into computer hardware and is slated to be the controlling AI in an interstellar probe looking for habitable planets. The stakes are high: no less than the first claim to entire worlds. If he declines the honor, he'll be switched off, and they'll try again with someone else. If he accepts, he becomes a prime target. There are at least three other countries trying to get their own probes launched first, and they play dirty.
The safest place for Bob is in space, heading away from Earth at top speed. Or so he thinks. Because the universe is full of nasties, and trespassers make them mad - very mad.
Why I Liked It
Nerdy programmer jokes. Von Neumann probes and aliens. Corpsicles and existential questions of what it really means to be alive. What isn’t there to love?
That’s all for now, kids.
As always, stay curious, stay ethical, and above all, stay weird!
I can’t wait to be good at business finally!!!
fun! and I already feel gooder at business