Data Strategy: The Next Digital Revolution

from Voice of Business - Spring 2020

Rochester Chamber Annual Report

data strategy

is your organization a part of the digital revolution?

In today’s increasingly interconnected and “smart” world, data is fast becoming one of the most critical business assets. It is at the heart of many transformative tech innovations including artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, machine learning, and the Internet of Things. Data matters to any company, regardless of size or industry. In order to get the most out of your data, it’s vital to have a data strategy in place. A clearly defined data strategy can help an organization determine how to best utilize its existing data, and ensure that critical data is captured moving forward. Data strategy helps you drill down to core business needs and create an actionable plan for the future.

At the end of 2019, Greater Rochester Chamber set out to formulate its own data strategy, with a goal of improving operations and enhancing the organization’s ability to serve, promote, and advocate for its members and the economic prosperity of the Finger Lakes region. Through an RFP process, we met with five exceptional member companies with expertise in this area. We encourage you to contact them to help begin or continue your own organization’s data and digital transformation journey.

cause + effect strategy

“Organizations must embrace the transformative power of data and technology to remain competitive and best serve their constituents. It can inform their most important decisions, reduce costs and enable growth through better data insights.” John Loury, President, Cause + Effect Strategy

In collaboration with Greater Rochester Chamber leadership, CE Strategy will create a vision for a data-driven transformation that will integrate data and analytics into every department, creating a more effective and efficient organization.

CE Strategy is a rapidly growing business intelligence firm recently named by Adweek Magazine as one of the fastest-growing agencies in the world. Beginning as a data-driven marketing intelligence firm in 2015, CE Strategy has evolved into a business intelligence firm that leverages data science to develop strategies that achieve client goals for increasing top-line revenue and decreasing bottom-line costs across business units including, marketing, sales, operations, finance, human resources, IT, procurement, and others. The company is based in Rochester, New York.

2020 Greater Rochester Chamber Data Consultant

Contact: Amy Gurske, Director of Client Strategy agurske@causeandeffectstrategy.com (585) 445-3888 causeandeffectstrategy.com

dixon schwabl

“Dixon Schwabl is a full-service agency offering digital services that solve our clients’ business challenges and deliver measurable results. Our work accounts for every touchpoint in the buyer journey, and our team proves marketing’s contribution to revenue and business growth every day by visualizing it through real-time business intelligence dashboards. Data tells a story—one that is not beholden to any one channel or philosophy. It drives us to create better customer experiences by building and consistently optimizing campaigns for bestperforming results. Our goal is to create not just customers, but brand advocates. Everything we build is designed to keep improving results.” Jon Alhart, Managing Partner, Digital Contact: David Brodsky, Senior Account Executive, Client Relations David_Brodsky@dixonschwabl.com (585) 899-1952 dixonschwabl.com

Areas of Expertise • Business and marketing analytics • Business intelligence • Data governance • Marketing automation • Website development and design • Technology consultation • Plus traditional advertising, design, public relations and marketing services

“When it comes to helping organizations with their data-driven strategy, we understand that it is not just a technology based solution, but it is a culture, mindset, attitude, and embedded practice. Organizations have to be ready to adopt that mindset, and if they are we can help them implement and hone their datadriven strategy. We do this by identifying exactly where the data lives, so we can build powerful real-time dashboards and key performance indicators (KPIs) that allow them to transform, analyze and visualize data across the entire organization. In so doing, we enable employees to make data-driven decisions through smart, friendly, and easy to use analytics. Our Consulting Services Team is able to not only architect these dashboards and KPIs; we’re also able to ensure that it is done in a way that protects sensitive data and enforces data governance policies across the organization. With well over 150 years of experience, and expertise in everything from Business Intelligence and Data Visualization, to Cyber Security, Compliance, Infrastructure planning and Web Architecture we are uniquely qualified to assist our clients as they adopt a data-driven strategy for their organizations.” Mark L. Lucas, Executive Vice President Contact: Mark L. Lucas, Executive Vice President mlucas@entrecs.com (585) 760-1013 entrecs.com

flynn

“At Flynn, we combine data and daring to create breakthroughs for brands. Our approach starts with understanding business objectives. Laddering up to those objectives, we can guide your team in creating the unified vision for data-driven transformation and build the detailed plan to capture, connect, and act on data using the right blend of technology and people.” Dan Beca, Director of Insights & Marketing Technology

At Flynn, we help businesses courageously navigate the unknown, uncover new opportunities, and grow via something we call “informed innovation.” It’s an approach that’s part consultancy. Part creative agency. Fully invested in finding breakthroughs that drive your business.

We offer everything from consultancy-level analysis to end-to-end video production, web design and development to omnichannel media services. All at a size that allows us to be incredibly agile and ready to react at the speed of the market—not just month to month, but minute by minute.

Contact: Heather Riexinger, Director of Relationship Development hriexinger@helloflynn.com (585) 641-4528 helloflynn.com 25

miller & associates “Helping a business see the possible is what keeps us invigorated. Personally, it is the most exciting time in my career from a technology standpoint. We are experiencing businesses evolve firsthand leveraging evolutionary technology, a once in a lifetime experience! Businesses that are engaged, strategic and aggressive with their execution will benefit greatly from the digital revolution. The ones that flounder will eventually become historical foot notes. We can help you be successful in this rapidly changing digital world.” Mark L. Lucas, Executive Vice President

For many businesses, data is an invaluable resource – however unlocking the value is often the biggest challenge. Digital transformation’s dirty secret is that business value can’t be unleashed until enterprise data is cleaned up and curated properly. That’s why so many digital transformation activities don’t meet full potential. We have the experience to help you create a digital transformation vision, manage data sources both big and small, harmonize your operations, and overcome the disparate data challenges inside your enterprise. We work with your resources to help you build superior capabilities and further define your organizations decisive competitive edge. Contact: David G. Sherburne david@jmillerandassociates.com (585) 975-9598 jmillerandassociates.com

Chamber Business Rounds: Data Analytics and AI Chamber Business Rounds: Data Analytics and AI

Business Forward: Incentives and Grants

2020 Rochester Chamber Advocacy Resource Guide Now Available

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce advocates for the Rochester and Finger Lakes region through direct engagement with elected leaders, building coalitions around critical issues, and delivering regular legislative updates to members and partners.

Our 2020 Advocacy Resource Guide features a legislative calendar and directory of key resources and elected officials as well as a listing of Rochester Chamber public policy and advocacy committees. It also gives an overview of the 2020 Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce advocacy agenda, which includes:

• Support for Upstate New York • Tax and Mandate Relief • Workforce Development • Economic Development • Transportation and Infrastructure • Health Care • Workers’ Compensation Visit http://bit.ly/2020AdvocacyGuide for a digital copy of the resource guide or contact Chief of Staff Marc Cohen at Marc.Cohen@ GreaterRochesterChamber.com for hard copies or any questions about Rochester Chamber public policy and advocacy efforts.

Chamber Business Rounds: Data Analytics and AI Bank of America Ribbon Cutting at Sibley Square