Have a story to share? Email [email protected] Caroline Peacock Published: 07:05 EDT, 1 November 2024 | Updated: 07:20 EDT, 1 November 2024
Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreBilly Crystal has admitted he regrets turning down the role of Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story films.The actor, 76, best known for his role in the 1989 romcom When Harry Met Sally, told The Graham Norton Show: “I was the dope that turned it down, but it wasn’t about the character, it was a business thing, and my agent said not to do it, so I passed.“Then it comes out and it is genius.”The star, who went on to voice Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc, another successful Pixar and Disney animation, continued: “Two years later when the producers of Toy Story first mentioned Monsters, Inc, I said, ‘Whatever it is, say yes.’“They convinced me by showing me a screen test they had done of me as Buzz Lightyear in the scene from When Harry Met Sally where I am yelling about a wagon wheel coffee table. They even had a little Buzz under the table. It was astonishing, and if I had seen that I would definitely have done Toy Story.”In the end, Buzz Lightyear was voiced by actor and comedian Tim Allen, instead.Crystal is currently promoting his new Apple TV+ series Before, in which he plays Eli, a child psychiatrist who, after losing his wife, Lynn (Judith Light), encounters a troubled young boy, Noah (Jacobi Jupe), who seems to have a haunting connection to Eli’s past. As Eli attempts to help Noah, their mysterious bond deepens. Buzz Lightyear was voiced by Tim AllenThe series has received mixed reviews, with The Guardian awarding it four stars but IndieWire deeming it “bizarrely bad”.Crystal was joined on The Graham Norton Show, which will air tonight, by Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville, Match Point actor Emily Mortimer, and US singer Pharrell Williams, who discusses an animated story of his life called Piece By Piece, which depicts him as a lego character. Crystal in ‘Before’
The award-winning VFX studio Lux Aeterna has built a reputation in effects for specialist factual television by transforming scientific concepts and data into breathtaking, cinematic scenes. The result makes science more accessible and entertaining – and has cemented its place as a leader in cinematic science-based visual effects.Worked on prominent productions like 8 Days to the Moon and Back, Our Universe, Secrets of the Neanderthals and the new BBC Studios documentary Solar System showcases the studio passion for pursuing scientific accuracy while producing engaging, narrative-driven content. We delved deeper to find our more about how they work, which includes close collaboration with scientists and experts in various fields.VFX from Our Universe (Image credit: Lux Aeterna)Lux Aeterna’s work in science and natural history requires a blended focus on maintaining factual integrity while producing narrative-led content that viewers want to engage with. And sometimes that means having to reach out to experts in various fields for input into how best to visualise certain shots and sequences.When tasked with depicting the planet Theia crashing into a primordial Earth for Our Universe, the Lux Aeterna team got in touch with Dr Keggeris at Durham University, whose area of expertise is planetary collision. Using existing data from the Cosma supercomputer, the team were able to generate an entire sequence for the series. Out of this collaboration, Lux Aeterna produced a simulation of the collision generating two moons, one of which was ultimately reabsorbed into our planet, adding two extra shots and a bit of extra narrative to the scene.Image
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Standard Bank has introduced version 2.0 of its SimplyBlu platform. Standard Bank’s latest iteration of its SimplyBlu platform gives small and medium enterprise (SME) owners a real-time, remote snapshot into more areas of their business. So said Norman Nyawo, head of merchant solutions for business and commercial banking at Standard Bank SA, in an interview…
Shivanku Misra is an AI expert, currently serving as Vice President overseeing enterprise advanced analytics and AI initiatives at McKesson.
In the rapidly evolving field of data science, the success of a team is not solely determined by its collective technical expertise. While technical prowess forms the foundation, communication skills and business acumen are equally critical in driving successful outcomes. Organizations now realize that translating complex data insights into actionable business strategies requires more than just technical know-how.
Balancing Technical Expertise With Communication Skills
When building a data science team, the traditional focus has often been on technical skills—expertise in machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling and data analysis. However, a more balanced approach emphasizing communication skills can significantly impact the team’s effectiveness.
High Technical Expertise, Low Communication
A team with members who possess high technical knowledge but lack the ability to articulate their work may find that their effectiveness is limited. Despite their technical mastery, their impact on business decision making remains constrained.
Moderate Technical Expertise, High Communication
On the other hand, a team that consists of members with moderate technical skills but strong communication abilities can achieve greater effectiveness. The ability to convey ideas clearly and persuasively can bridge gaps between technical knowledge and its practical application, enabling the team to contribute more significantly to business strategy.
This balance between technical expertise and communication emphasizes that technical skills alone are not enough. Communication serves as the bridge between complex data science work and business strategy. The more effectively a data science team can communicate its insights, the more value it adds to the organization.
T-Shaped Capabilities In Data Science Teams
The concept of T-shaped capabilities has gained prominence in describing the ideal skill set for professionals in interdisciplinary fields like data science. A T-shaped individual possesses deep knowledge and skills in a specific area (the vertical bar of the “T”) while having a broad understanding of related disciplines (the horizontal bar of the “T”).
In a data science team, the vertical bar symbolizes the team’s deep technical skills, which include proficiency in areas such as statistics, machine learning, programming and data analysis. The horizontal bar represents a broad range of complementary skills, including communication, business strategy, domain knowledge and collaboration.
A data science team with T-shaped capabilities is more versatile and effective because its members possess both deep technical expertise and a wide range of complementary skills. Team members are more likely to:
• Communicate complex technical insights in a way that is accessible and actionable for business stakeholders.
• Align data science projects with broader business objectives, ensuring they have maximum impact.
• Collaborate across different business functions, integrating insights from areas like marketing, operations and finance into their data-driven strategies.
By fostering T-shaped capabilities within the team, leaders can ensure that the group is not only highly skilled technically but also able to navigate and contribute meaningfully within the business environment.
The Shift From Data Scientist To Business Scientist
The role of a data scientist has evolved from focusing solely on data analysis to adopting the role of a business scientist. A business scientist possesses technical skills, strong business acumen and strategic thinking. Here’s how this shift can help benefit a data science team:
Business Acumen
Business scientists understand market trends, customer behaviors and organizational objectives. This allows them to prioritize data projects that directly drive business value. For example, identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with company goals, such as customer retention or revenue growth, enables the team to use data analytics to support critical decision making.
Strategic Communication
The team must be able to communicate data insights to non-technical stakeholders effectively. This involves translating complex findings into understandable narratives, highlighting the impact of these insights on business strategies and providing clear recommendations. Effective communication helps secure buy-in from leadership and guides the decision-making process.
A Focus On Outcomes
Instead of being purely model-centric, a data science team should focus on the real-world outcomes of their work. This means ensuring that data projects lead to actionable strategies and tangible results, such as increased sales, improved customer experiences or streamlined operations.
Continuous Learning And Adaptability
A data science team that values adaptability and ongoing learning can better keep pace with the changing business landscape. This adaptability allows the team to apply its technical knowledge in ways that best serve the organization’s evolving needs.
Building An Effective Data Science Team
Enhancing technical skills is often more straightforward than developing strong communication abilities and business acumen. Therefore, building an effective data science team requires a concerted effort to nurture T-shaped capabilities within the group. Here’s how you can work to achieve this:
Training Programs
Incorporate training on business strategy, communication and data storytelling into the team’s professional development. This helps team members refine their ability to translate technical insights into business value.
Cross-Functional Projects
Encourage collaboration between the data science team and other business units. This exposure helps team members understand different perspectives and business challenges, enhancing their ability to create data solutions aligned with company goals.
Mentorship And Coaching
Introduce mentorship programs that pair data scientists with experienced business leaders. This guidance helps the team cultivate strategic thinking and stakeholder management skills.
Feedback Loops
Implement regular feedback sessions where the team presents its findings to non-technical audiences. This practice not only refines their communication style but also provides insights into the business implications of their work, promoting a better alignment of data projects with business priorities.
Key Takeaways
A successful data science team is characterized not only by its technical expertise but also by its ability to communicate insights and align projects with business strategies. Building an effective data science team requires developing both technical and communication skills to create a well-rounded group that can drive better business outcomes.
By fostering these skills, data science teams can enhance their effectiveness, leading to more informed decisions and greater success for the organization. Ultimately, the ability to bridge the gap between data science and business strategy is what transforms a good data science team into an excellent one.
Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Mansour Al-Ajmi is the CEO and advisor of X-Shift Saudi Arabia, combining the best of people, technology and innovation to drive the future.
Over the past decade, technology has completely redefined how businesses operate, connect with customers and create value.
Throughout my journey from building two companies in the business process outsourcing (BPO) and customer experience (CX) sectors to currently leading a digital transformation firm, I’ve learned one undeniable truth: To thrive in today’s ever-changing market, you must embrace change.
A recent McKinsey study found that 70% of digital transformation efforts fall short of their objectives. This statistic points to a crucial insight that simply investing in technology isn’t enough. For any transformation to be successful, companies must rethink their entire approach to business—redefining how they operate, serve customers and grow.
This realization became especially clear during my time in the BPO sector, where the focus was on operational efficiency and customer service. The rise of digital tools made it clear that a much bigger shift was needed.
The “Why” And “How” Of Business Transition
Every business eventually reaches a point where the status quo is no longer enough. For many, technology becomes the catalyst for change. The focus moves from just selling products to building ecosystems around customer experience, real-time engagement and innovation.
For me, understanding the “why” behind this transformation was simple: staying relevant, competitive and customer-focused in a digital world. The “how,” however, required a clear roadmap—emphasizing change management, talent development and aligning technology with business goals.
BPOs have traditionally been at the forefront of operational efficiency and customer service, often serving as cost-saving solutions. But as technology advanced, the rules of the game changed. Digital transformation set new benchmarks for speed, scalability and customer engagement, demanding fresh approaches to internal processes and go-to-market strategies.
The key was leveraging the operational strengths and customer-centric principles ingrained in BPO and reimagining them within a digital framework. This meant going beyond efficiency models to integrate automation, data-driven insights and agile, customer-focused experiences. Our expertise in customer-centricity didn’t just carry over—it evolved to meet the demands of a digital-first world.
Rethinking Business Models For Digital Transformation
A common misconception is that digital transformation simply means adopting new technology. The reality is that its true impact comes from redefining business models to be more adaptive, customer-centric and resilient. This evolution often requires bold steps, such as:
1. Rethinking Revenue Streams: Traditional one-off sales models are being replaced by recurring revenue, subscription-based and service-driven offerings. Creating continuous value through personalized, long-term customer engagement is critical to building loyalty and sustainable growth.
2. Empowering Agility And Flexibility: The fast pace of change requires businesses to be nimble. Adopting agile methodologies enables companies to pivot quickly, iterate on new ideas and respond effectively to emerging market opportunities.
3. Fostering Strategic Partnerships: No company can innovate in isolation. Building partnerships with tech leaders, digital innovators and customer-focused platforms accelerates transformation and ensures you stay ahead of evolving customer demands. In Saudi Arabia, for instance, the momentum around Vision 2030 is setting the stage for digital transformation like never before. The Kingdom is rapidly adopting technology, building a robust digital infrastructure and fostering a business environment that prioritizes growth and innovation.
4. Putting The Customer At The Core: Digital transformation should revolve around the customer. As businesses evolve, the focus should be on crafting seamless, personalized and integrated experiences. Understanding customer journeys, addressing pain points and deploying technology to enhance touchpoints are key to unlocking satisfaction and loyalty.
Seizing Opportunities And Leading Change
Transitioning into digital transformation comes with its challenges. To succeed, leaders need vision beyond current frameworks, agility to navigate change and resilience to adapt to shifting landscapes. Building a culture open to experimentation and continuous learning is equally important.
For tech businesses willing to evolve, the possibilities are limitless—from enhancing operational efficiency and revenue growth to building stronger customer relationships and exploring new markets.
Digital transformation is a unique journey for every business, but a few principles remain constant.
Agility and resilience are essential to navigating changing markets. Agility allows for rapid pivots, swift adoption of new methodologies and fast iteration of emerging ideas. Resilience ensures that businesses can foresee challenges, learn from setbacks and grow stronger as a result.
Most importantly, keeping the customer at the center of every decision is key to shaping a successful way forward. And when companies get that right, the possibilities are truly limitless.
Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Dressed in black, his face covered, the killer of a schoolgirl prowled around a car park in pursuit of his victim, intent on murder. Disturbing new CCTV footage seen for the first time today shows Logan MacPhail’s secret, silent pursuit of Holly Newton. Now that the obsessive stalker has been sentenced, police have released chilling…
Cultivator Ashley Blackshear sweeps up the clippings of cannabis plants after pruning them in the flower room at Proper Cannabis in Rock Hill, Missouri, in October 2022. Experts say that there will be both opportunities and challenges for marijuana businesses if Nebraskans vote to legalize medical marijuana on Tuesday.
Robert Cohen, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
If Nebraska voters legalize medical marijuana on Election Day, there would be opportunity for marijuana entrepreneurs but also a lot of challenges.Michael Johnson, who lives in Nebraska and is the CEO of the Colorado-based marijuana business Shift, said Nebraska would be late to the medical marijuana market, but that’s an opportunity.“It can be difficult to be a first mover in any space because you don’t have a playbook to offer,” Johnson said. “And so I think Nebraska has a great opportunity to study other state programs, to identify what has worked well and to make a state-run program that’s really healthy.”People familiar with the medical marijuana market said that creating a stable industry in Nebraska is possible if the ballot measures legalizing medical marijuana are approved. However, the medical marijuana market has had supply and demand imbalances in other states, lacks access to typical resources and is surrounded by regulatory uncertainty.
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A budding businessIf medical marijuana is legalized in Nebraska there could be an influx of businesses applying for licenses to sell it, which can mean there are more businesses than consumers need.There is a lot of excitement around the marijuana industry, Johnson said, and that excitement causes a rush of entrepreneurial activity and infusion of capital that, in a market with unlimited licenses, can lead to wasted investment.“A lot of small businesses have gone out of business and the market, generally speaking, is deemed to be not viable from an investor or operator standpoint, simply because of such a dramatic supply glut,” Johnson said.The potential market size for medical cannabis is about 4% of Nebraska’s population by 2030, said Andrew Livingston, the director of Economics and Research at the national cannabis law firm Vicente LLP.
Andrew Livingston, director of Economics & Research at Vicente
COURTESY PHOTO
Livingston said he estimated Nebraska’s market size by analyzing the patients per capita over time of other states where medical cannabis has been legalized, including Arkansas, Missouri and South Dakota.That translates to about 56,000 patients by the end of 2028 and 93,000 by the end of 2030, according to a press release from Vincente LLP. Through 2030, Nebraska is projected to sell $440 million in medical cannabis if voters legalize itA market with a medical cannabis oversupply will right itself after a decade or so in the open market, Johnson said.“Those are the laws of economics, that over time, supply and demand will balance,” he said. “I think that there’s been a lot of economic destruction in those markets, and you can point to markets that have taken a more modest approach.”Johnson pointed to states with a cap on the number of licenses to sell marijuana. He said regulators can play a role in the regulation of the cannabis industry.Not an average businessStarting and operating a medical marijuana business is more difficult than the average business because of potential regulations and the amount of resources accessible to dispensaries.The biggest problem for medical marijuana businesses is that investor capital, bank loans and advertising opportunities are inaccessible, Johnson said.“Lastly, because cannabis is still illegal on a federal level, there’s a fair amount of large Fortune 500 institutions that simply don’t work with cannabis businesses,” Johnson said. “And those are often service providers. That could be insurance, it could be workers comp(ensation), it could be software solutions.”Any business that traffics Schedule I or Schedule II drugs can’t claim any tax credits or deductions on expenses, according to Section 280E of the U.S. Federal Code. Because marijuana is listed federally as a Schedule I drug, medical marijuana businesses wouldn’t be able to claim any deductions like the average business would.The Small Business Administration also is unable to work with medical marijuana businesses because marijuana is not supported on the federal level.Restrictions could also be placed on the number of licenses available to businesses, limiting the businesses selling medical marijuana. Livingston said he personally favors an open market approach to medical marijuana.“So when you have a limit on the number of licenses statewide, one of the major things that that does is it limits new entrepreneurial growth and new competition in the future,” Livingston said.License limits could lead to people having to buy licenses from an existing business in order to operate, Livingston said. If a business closes and the industry needs to adapt in a market without many operators, license limits could impede that process, he said.“That’s kind of an important thing when we look at ‘How do we have a dynamic and flexible industry?'” Livingston said.
Nathan King, of University City, Missouri, smells products with the help of Swade Dispensary consultant Mikey Juen (left) as he shops for medical marijuana in February 2023 in St. Louis. Missouri legalized medical marijuana in 2018 and has since legalized recreational marijuana.
Robert Cohen, St. Louis Post-Dispatch file photo
License and regulationLicense limits and other regulations can impact whether the medical marijuana industry is successful in Nebraska.In Oklahoma, a relaxed licensing process led to an over-saturated market. Livingston said the state was an outlier because it registered patients and businesses faster than any other state and took more of a free-market approach.Adria Berry, the executive director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, said the maximum number of licenses the state had following the passage of State Question 788, which legalized medical marijuana, far exceeded the amount needed given the state’s population.
Adria Berry, executive director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority
COURTESY PHOTO
“It was doomed from the beginning,” Berry said. “The approach that was laid out in 788, it did not set up the industry for success. A careful approach to licensure is needed if you want to set the industry up for success.”The Oklahoma medical cannabis market was oversaturated and was infiltrated by criminals because of the ease of licensure, Berry said.“They were able to come in and hide behind the license granted to them by our agency, OMMA,” Berry said. “And so it’s been a cleanup project for the past three years that I wouldn’t wish on any other state.”The number of dispensaries started falling in 2023 after years of growth, according to OMMA’s website. The number of patients started falling in 2022.Since the legalization of medical marijuana in Oklahoma in 2018, OMMA has implemented a seed-to-sale program like many other states in addition to cracking down on bad actors in the market. The agency uses a tracking program for recalls and for comparison during inspections, Berry said.Luke Niforatos, the Executive Vice President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action, which advocates against marijuana, said lawmakers should take action if the initiatives pass.“If the ballot measure passes, lawmakers should immediately take proactive steps to enact strict potency caps, require products to carry warning labels and expand educational resources to ensure young people know the dangers associated with these drugs,” Niforatos said in an email.In Nebraska, a commission would be in charge of regulating the potential industry and how many licenses are available and who gets them.According to ballot Initiative 438, a commission would decide eligibility standards for registrations no later than July 1, 2025, if the initiative passes. The commission would then begin granting applications by Oct. 1, 2025.The commission would include three members of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission and the governor could appoint two other members, who would need to be confirmed by the Legislature.Johnson said he wants to be a resource for lawmakers when it is time to decide what Nebraska’s medical cannabis market might look like. When asked if he would expand his business to Nebraska, he said rule-making could determine if operating in Nebraska would be a good opportunity.“And so I will need to see how the rules ultimately get developed to determine whether or not it would be profitable to operate in the space,” Johnson said.
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Saltburn star Barry Keoghan has been spotted for the first time on the Peaky Blinders set – as filming for the hotly anticipated movie gets underway. Filming alongside Sophie Rundle – who is reprising her role as Ada Thorne – and Hollywood royalty Tim Roth – the Dunkirk actor certainly looks the part, wearing a…