International Institute for Analytics thrives as peer-generated research community

Members lead research agenda to advance the analytics profession and their careers

27 October 2010 - Pooling resources and gaining strength in numbers, analytics users are taking research needs into their own hands via the International Institute for Analytics (IIA). A cost-effective way to generate custom research and quick answers, the independent analytics community sprang up as a "safe zone" where analytics professionals join with peers to exchange ideas and generate research that can stimulate organisational growth and competitive advantage. In its first year, the group is enjoying a rapid influx of international members bringing fresh ideas and questions.

“The ability to anticipate the future - to be prepared for and influence outcomes - is one of today’s crucial competitive advantages,” said Anne Milley, senior director of analytics strategy at SAS. “Organisations that succeed are those that develop and implement strategies turning data into more informed decisions.  IIA provides a valuable service to help organisations be more successful in their analytic endeavors.”

IIA brings together the world's leading analytics practitioners and researchers to provide unique insights to both business and IT leaders on the most current research findings and industry best practices.

Members shape the research agenda and share best practices with the world's leading analytics community. Member-only briefings and summary papers illuminate analytical solutions for pressing issues. Unique value to members is undergirded by IIA's:

• Proprietary database of research, discussions and other resources.
• Ground-breaking research driven by member interactions.
• Exclusive analytics faculty.

IIA sponsors include the founding underwriter, SAS, along with premier underwriters Intel, Accenture and Teradata. IIA's world-class faculty group is headed by IIA co-founder and Babson College Professor Tom Davenport, who co-authored Analytics at Work: Smarter Decisions, Better Results. IIA faculty members were nominated and selected based on their analytics industry experience and their skills in moderating meaningful conversations among analytics professionals.

"IIA helps analytics professionals and executives gain knowledge and insight about the ever-changing world of analytics," said Davenport. "Without disclosing proprietary information and processes, members share their challenges and collaborate to explore solutions. Meetings are conducted under an umbrella nondisclosure agreement, creating security for open and frank discussion."

Today's announcement came at The Premier Business Leadership Series event in Las Vegas, a business conference presented by SAS that brings together more than 600 attendees from the public and private sectors to share ideas on critical business issues.

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