RESEARCH & RESOURCES

Data Digest: Analytics and Cycling, KPIs and Employee Performance, and Putting Data First

Articles around the Web we found interesting include results of an annual data security survey, data analytics and the U.S. women's cycling team, and how using KPIs to boost employee isn't a great idea.

Data Security Survey Says: Put Data First
(Source: Computer World)

An annual survey on data security revealed that more organizations fear they are unable to understand their data and are more at risk for having that data. According to the survey, the future of security is data-centric security.


“Data Not Drugs” the Foundation of the U.S. Women’s Cycling Team
(Source: Forbes)

The team is attempting to get a leg up through data analytics, and it is working. State-of-the-art wearable technology provided trainers with the data, but it took a data analytics company to make it worthwhile. For now, athletes are the only professionals who have their every move quantified, but that might be the future for employees.

 

The Power of Awards and the Weakness of KPIs
(Source: Sydney Morning Herald)

Most workers would tell their employer that they’d want a raise if their hard work was acknowledged, but a recent paper about the power of awards suggests that giving titles or prizes instead might better boost morale. Furthermore, the latest behavioral studies show that KPIs and performance pay might actually reduce morale in the workforce and the best way to keep employees happy is to give them free rein to do their job.

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Quint Turner is an editorial intern at TDWI and an undergraduate English student at Skidmore College. Follow his blog at pungry.com.

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