{"id":3862,"date":"2014-11-17T10:45:55","date_gmt":"2014-11-17T15:45:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huangshizhaopin.com\/news\/?p=3862"},"modified":"2014-11-17T10:45:55","modified_gmt":"2014-11-17T15:45:55","slug":"exploring-why-big-data-is-a-big-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/huangshizhaopin.com\/news\/2014\/11\/17\/exploring-why-big-data-is-a-big-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring “Why Big Data is a Big Deal”"},"content":{"rendered":"

David Pogue,\u00a0Yahoo Tech<\/em>\u00a0columnist, former\u00a0New York Times<\/em>\u00a0tech columnist and host of\u00a0NOVA ScienceNow<\/em>, moderated an in-depth exploration of one of the hottest topics in today\u2019s business world, Big Data, at the Saint Peter\u2019s University 43^{rd<\/sup>\u00a0Annual Regents Business Symposium on November 7.<\/p>\n}

Nearly 250 business leaders, faculty and students were in attendance at the Mac Mahon Student Center to hear from Keynote Speaker Paul DePodesta, entrepreneur and subject of the book\u00a0Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game<\/em> and the Oscar nominated film\u00a0Moneyball<\/em>, as well as a panel of experts including Hilary Mason, data scientist-in-residence at Accel and scientist emeritus at bitly; Paul Walsh, vice president of weather analytics for The Weather Channel; and Kathy Zanowic, vice president and senior privacy officer for Verizon.<\/p>\n

The Symposium is one of New Jersey\u2019s longest-running forums designed to inspire and educate an audience of all ages, professions and industries regarding business trends, challenges and best practices. This year, \u201cWhy Big Data is a Big Deal\u201d focused on the fact that today\u2019s technology produces tremendous amounts of structured and unstructured data and when it is utilized effectively and creatively, organizations can target and connect with audiences in ways that were never before possible.<\/p>\n

The panelists examined what exactly Big Data is and how it can be leveraged to positively impact businesses\u2019 bottom lines. It also explored how Big Data can invade privacy and how protection is key for consumers and businesses alike.<\/p>\n

DePodesta entertained the audience with his story of how he used Big Data as the assistant general manager of the Oakland Athletics to help turn the team into a remarkable success, a feat depicted in the book\u00a0Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game<\/em>, and the Oscar nominated film\u00a0Moneyball<\/em>, featuring Jonah Hill as DePodesta.<\/p>\n

At the time of DePodesta\u2019s hire, Oakland was one of the worst teams in the league, coming off of six losing seasons while posting one of the lowest payrolls in baseball. DePodesta effectively used data analytics to turn the team around and guide them to a playoff victory in his first season at the helm. His work has been recognized by various publications, including\u00a0Fortune<\/em>, who named him one of the top 10 innovators under 40.<\/p>\n

Following earlier discussions regarding the accuracy and reliability of data and how to effectively use it, DePodesta reminded the audience that no matter what the data says, emotions always play a role in our decision making.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe create causal relationships in our mind. No matter how much data we have,\u201d he said. \u201cWe want to have a reason why things happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

A portion of the proceeds from the annual Symposium benefit The Patricia Q. Sheehan H \u201977 Scholarship.<\/p>\n

Saint Peter\u2019s University gratefully acknowledges the support of the event sponsors:<\/p>\n

EXECUTIVE SPONSOR<\/strong><\/p>\n

United Way of Hudson County<\/p>\n

MARKETING SPONSOR<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strategic Development Group<\/p>\n

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bank of America Merrill Lynch – The Spanarkel Browne Granizo Group, Capital One Bank, Fidelity Investments, Genova Burns Giantomasi Webster, PSE&G<\/p>\n

PROGRAM SPONSORS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bayonne Community Bank, Brinker Capital, Inc., CohnReznick, Connell Foley LLP, Robert J. Goldstein ’60, Liberty Mutual Insurance,\u00a0 NJM Insurance, Pepsi Bottling Group, LLC, RJ Goldstein & Associates, Inc., Sherwin-Williams, SILVERMAN, Sodexo, Staples<\/p>\n

COMMUNITY PARTNER<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hudson County Chamber of Commerce<\/p>\n

STUDENT SPONSORS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cambridge Capital Corp., Warren C. Fristensky ’74, Independent College Fund of New Jersey, Johnson & Johnson, John Wiley & Sons, Liberty Savings Federal Credit Union, Michael Milano ’74,\u00a0 Paul Schaetzle ’75, Patricia Q. Sheehan H ’77, The Provident Bank – Journal Square and Mac Mahon Student Center Branches, Thomas Wickiewicz, M.D. ’72<\/p>\n\n\t\t