1322 – Using Data to Make Better Decisions with Qlik’s Kevin Hanegan

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Chief Learning Officer of Qlik, Kevin Hanegan.

Qlik is a data and analytic company that helps clients make better business decisions  based on the data collected. Qlik was developed when analytics started becoming popular in the 90’s and there was a need for change from static data to real time data. There are typically three avenues businesses can take in regards to data usage, they are either using data correctly, using data incorrectly, or not using data at all and using intuition. Kevin explains that using intuition is not bad to use to make decisions, however, there needs to be a balance of intuition and data in a business.

There can be unconscious bias while collecting data and that is not how data needs to be used. Kevin advises using methods such as the scientific method works well as you can test data to try to disprove it. However, if it cannot be disproved, it shows that it may be a valid source for business usage. Kevin explains that there is a culture within the workplace where challenging an opinion is not encouraged. This could be a downside because mistakes or new ideas could be found by challenging an opinion, ultimately leading to better business decisions. Kevin explains the ideal client for Qlik is anyone trying to make more sense of their data.

Key Points from the Episode:

• What Qlik is
• Kevin’s backstory
• Where Qlik came from
• Companies using data
• Kevin’s advice on data usage
• Challenge culture
• Kevin’s book recommendations
• The ideal client for Qlik

About Kevin Hanegan:

Kevin Hanegan is a senior leader who likes to transform, innovate, and continuously improve organizations to make them the best they can be. His passion is the intersection of business, technology, learning, and psychology. He believes the world is constantly evolving and we should always be evolving and improving ourselves in business and in our personal life. He is a firm believer in open communication and making sure everyone is aware of strategy and why they are doing what we are doing.

Through many years of working in a variety of businesses and industries, he has been able to leverage technology and psychology to improve organizational performance and transform businesses into high performing organizations. This includes both cost centers, like Learning & Development departments, as well as P&Ls, which have revenue and profit targets.

Tweetable Moments From this Episode: 

2:22 - "It's about learning what I call the forever skills or the soft skills of how you can apply them and get different perspectives."

6:50 - "What was relevant five years ago might not be relevant today."

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Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Want to learn more? Check out the Qlik website at https://www.qlik.com/us/

Check out Qlik on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/qlik/

Check out Kevin Hanegan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinhanegan/

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