On February 2 2021, Adapt to Grow hosted a panel with experts in data science. Wrapped around a theme of curiosity, the event discussed a topic of how we can use data differently to better understand our customers, and our panelists shared some immensely valuable nuggets of wisdom.
- Meg Ugenti, Corporate Director of Sales & Marketing, Focus USA
- Monica H. Kang, Founder & CEO, InnovatorsBox®
- Cameron Musler, Manager of Marketing, Novant Health
- Ajay Gupta, Co-founder & CEO, Stirista
- Khuloud Odeh, Vice President for Technology and Data Science & CIO The Urban Institute
- Pamela Isom, President/CEO, ICE Safety Solutions
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Technology has been making leaps and bounds for quite some time now, especially over the past decade and a bit. We now live in a world that has donned an electronic skin, where devices, gadgets, and sensors have outnumbered people. And with all that comes a plethora of data. Sure, data can tell us how many and how much, it can also help us solve problems, but when we’re really intentional with the data we have, it can help us authentically connect with our audience – internal and external.

Why is data important?
- What do you already know about your consumer?
- What pain points are you trying to solve with your product?
- How can data help you understand your consumer?
- How are you gonna use them?”
How can you bring your diverse teams on the same page with data?
This is a big question. And this is where the people component comes in. Having a mountain of data to sit atop of is one thing, but intelligently targeting it to convey meaningful information to diverse stakeholders is another. And the answer is in keeping it actionable and keeping it relevant to that stakeholder.
According to Kholoud, it’s important to “ensure you bring opportunity to ensure you don’t make assumptions, especially when data is too large”. And underlining the importance of representation, she said, “it’s also important that you don’t over-represent a certain population and leave others under-represented.”
Cameron added the importance of trust. “Consumers give up their data when they trust the brand. And if you have consumer’s data, know that you have their trust – so you should use that trust wisely.” And to help with that, he added, you can start by making a solid plan with the team and do regular check-ins, using continuous coaching and education by hosting topics and webinars, sending regular reminders and setting up clear KPI’s.
Join us on our next event
Theme: Empathy
How can you empathize and connect with your online, invisible customer?

About the Author

Monica H. Kang
Monica H. Kang, Founder, and CEO of InnovatorsBox® and Author of Rethink Creativity is transforming today’s workforce through the power of creativity. She helps companies rethink culture, leadership, and team development by making creativity practical and relatable regardless of industry or job title. She has worked with clients worldwide including Fortune 500 companies, higher education, government, and nonprofits. Monica’s work has been recognized by The White House, Ashoka Changemakers, National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), and Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Prior to InnovatorsBox®, Monica was a nuclear nonproliferation policy expert. She holds an M.A. from SAIS Johns Hopkins University in Strategic Studies and International Economics and a B.A. from Boston University.