Fundamentals

Consider this ● seventy percent of small to medium-sized businesses still operate without a comprehensive digital transformation strategy, even as market pressures intensify. This isn’t some abstract tech problem; it’s a survival issue. For many SMBs, the idea of data-driven automation Meaning ● Data-Driven Automation: Using data insights to power automated processes for SMB efficiency and growth. conjures images of complex systems and exorbitant costs, a world away from the daily grind of invoices, customer calls, and inventory checks.

Yet, to ignore this shift is akin to navigating a modern highway with a horse and buggy. The question isn’t whether automation is coming, but how SMBs can realistically integrate it into their existing cultures and operations without collapsing under the perceived weight of technological upheaval.

Demystifying Data Driven Decisions

The phrase “data-driven” itself can feel intimidating, loaded with technical baggage. Strip away the jargon, though, and you find a straightforward concept ● making choices based on evidence rather than gut feeling alone. For an SMB owner, this might start with something as simple as tracking which marketing efforts actually bring in paying customers, rather than just assuming a billboard is working because it feels like good exposure.

It’s about moving from intuition-based decisions, often born from years of experience, to a hybrid approach that validates those instincts with concrete information. Data isn’t meant to replace experience; it’s meant to augment it, to provide a clearer picture of what’s truly happening within the business.

Data-driven decision-making for SMBs is about using evidence to refine intuition, not replace it entirely.

Starting Small Think Big

Automation doesn’t necessitate a complete overhaul of existing systems. The most effective entry point for SMBs is often through targeted, incremental changes. Think about automating repetitive tasks that consume valuable time but contribute little to strategic growth. Email marketing Meaning ● Email marketing, within the small and medium-sized business (SMB) arena, constitutes a direct digital communication strategy leveraged to cultivate customer relationships, disseminate targeted promotions, and drive sales growth. campaigns, social media scheduling, basic customer service Meaning ● Customer service, within the context of SMB growth, involves providing assistance and support to customers before, during, and after a purchase, a vital function for business survival. inquiries ● these are all areas where automation tools Meaning ● Automation Tools, within the sphere of SMB growth, represent software solutions and digital instruments designed to streamline and automate repetitive business tasks, minimizing manual intervention. can step in, freeing up human employees to focus on tasks requiring creativity, problem-solving, and direct customer engagement.

The key is to identify pain points, those daily frustrations that eat away at productivity and morale, and explore automation solutions that directly address them. It’s not about automating everything at once; it’s about strategically automating the right things, starting with the areas that will yield the most immediate and tangible benefits.

Consider the example of a small bakery. Instead of manually tracking inventory of flour, sugar, and other ingredients, a simple inventory management Meaning ● Inventory management, within the context of SMB operations, denotes the systematic approach to sourcing, storing, and selling inventory, both raw materials (if applicable) and finished goods. system can automatically update stock levels as items are used and trigger alerts when supplies are running low. This seemingly small automation eliminates the need for time-consuming manual counts, reduces the risk of stockouts, and allows the baker to focus on recipe development and customer service. This isn’t rocket science; it’s practical application of data and automation to solve a real business problem.

Culture Shift Not Culture Shock

Perhaps the biggest hurdle for SMBs isn’t the technology itself, but the cultural shift required to embrace data-driven automation. Many small businesses operate on close-knit teams, where decisions are often made informally and processes are deeply ingrained. Introducing automation can feel disruptive, even threatening, if not handled carefully. The crucial element here is communication.

Employees need to understand why automation is being implemented, how it will benefit them directly, and that it’s not about replacing them, but about empowering them to do more meaningful work. Transparency and involvement are paramount. Including employees in the process of identifying automation opportunities and selecting tools can foster a sense of ownership and reduce resistance to change.

Resistance to automation often stems from fear of the unknown. Employees may worry about job security, about having to learn new skills, or about losing control over their work. Addressing these concerns head-on is essential. Highlighting the positive impacts of automation ● reduced workload, fewer mundane tasks, opportunities for skill development ● can help shift perceptions.

Training and support are also critical. Providing employees with the necessary skills to work alongside automation tools ensures a smooth transition and reinforces the message that automation is intended to be a collaborative partner, not a replacement.

Data Literacy For Everyone

Embracing data-driven automation requires a basic level of data literacy Meaning ● Data Literacy, within the SMB landscape, embodies the ability to interpret, work with, and critically evaluate data to inform business decisions and drive strategic initiatives. across the organization, even within smaller SMB teams. This doesn’t mean everyone needs to become a data scientist, but it does mean fostering an understanding of what data is, why it matters, and how it can be used to improve business outcomes. Simple training sessions on data interpretation, dashboard usage, and basic data analysis Meaning ● Data analysis, in the context of Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs), represents a critical business process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting strategic decision-making. can empower employees at all levels to contribute to a data-driven culture. When employees understand the data behind their work, they are more likely to see the value in automation and to actively participate in its implementation and refinement.

Data literacy initiatives within SMBs should focus on practical application and relevance to daily tasks. Instead of abstract concepts, training should center on real-world examples and scenarios that employees encounter in their roles. For example, a sales team might learn how to interpret sales data to identify top-performing products or customer segments, while a marketing team might learn how to analyze website traffic data to optimize online campaigns. Making data tangible and directly applicable to their work makes data literacy training more engaging and effective.

Practical First Steps

For SMBs ready to take the plunge into data-driven automation, the starting point doesn’t have to be complex or expensive. Several readily available and affordable tools can provide significant benefits without requiring extensive technical expertise. Cloud-based CRM systems, for example, can automate customer relationship management, track sales leads, and provide valuable insights into customer behavior.

Marketing automation platforms can streamline email marketing, social media posting, and lead nurturing. Even simple spreadsheet software, when used strategically, can become a powerful tool for data analysis and visualization.

The initial investment in data-driven automation should focus on tools that are user-friendly, scalable, and directly address specific business needs. Free or low-cost trials of various software solutions allow SMBs to experiment and identify the tools that best fit their requirements and budget. Starting with a pilot project in a specific department or functional area can also be a smart approach, allowing for a controlled implementation and the opportunity to learn and adapt before wider rollout. The goal is to demonstrate tangible results quickly, building momentum and confidence in the value of data-driven automation.

SMBs can begin their data-driven automation journey with affordable, user-friendly tools, focusing on targeted improvements.

Choosing The Right Tools

Selecting the right automation tools is crucial for SMB success. The market is flooded with options, ranging from simple task automation apps to enterprise-level platforms. For SMBs, the sweet spot often lies in cloud-based solutions designed for smaller teams and budgets. These tools typically offer ease of use, scalability, and integration with other business systems.

When evaluating automation tools, SMBs should consider factors such as ease of implementation, user-friendliness, customer support, pricing, and integration capabilities with existing software. It’s also important to choose tools that align with the specific needs and goals of the business, rather than simply opting for the most popular or feature-rich option.

Consider these categories of automation tools that are particularly relevant for SMBs:

1. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) ● Automates customer interactions, tracks sales pipelines, and provides customer data insights.
2. Marketing Automation ● Streamlines email marketing, social media scheduling, and lead nurturing campaigns.
3. Project Management ● Automates task assignments, progress tracking, and team communication for project-based work.
4. Accounting Software ● Automates invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
5. HR and Payroll ● Automates payroll processing, employee onboarding, and benefits administration.

Each of these categories offers numerous software options tailored to different SMB needs and budgets. The key is to research and compare options, focusing on those that offer the best combination of functionality, ease of use, and affordability.

Embracing data-driven automation in SMB culture Meaning ● SMB Culture: The shared values and practices shaping SMB operations, growth, and adaptation in the digital age. is a journey, not a destination. It’s about fostering a mindset of continuous improvement, where decisions are increasingly informed by data, and processes are continually optimized through automation. Starting small, focusing on practical applications, and prioritizing cultural adaptation are the cornerstones of a successful SMB automation Meaning ● SMB Automation: Streamlining SMB operations with technology to boost efficiency, reduce costs, and drive sustainable growth. strategy. The payoff isn’t just increased efficiency; it’s a more resilient, agile, and competitive business, positioned for sustainable growth Meaning ● Sustainable SMB growth is balanced expansion, mitigating risks, valuing stakeholders, and leveraging automation for long-term resilience and positive impact. in an increasingly data-driven world.

Strategic Automation For Scalable Growth

While initial forays into data-driven automation for SMBs Meaning ● Strategic tech integration for SMB efficiency, growth, and competitive edge. often center on tactical efficiency gains, the true transformative power lies in strategic implementation that fuels scalable growth. Think of it as moving beyond simply automating tasks to automating business processes, creating a system where data insights proactively drive operational improvements and strategic decision-making. This shift requires a deeper understanding of how automation can be aligned with overarching business objectives, moving beyond isolated tool adoption to a cohesive, data-integrated operational framework.

Mapping Automation To Business Goals

Strategic automation begins with a clear articulation of business goals. Are you aiming to increase sales, improve customer retention, reduce operational costs, or expand into new markets? Each of these objectives can be significantly accelerated by strategically applied data-driven automation.

The crucial step is to map specific automation initiatives Meaning ● Automation Initiatives, in the context of SMB growth, represent structured efforts to implement technologies that reduce manual intervention in business processes. to these defined goals, ensuring that technology investments are directly contributing to measurable business outcomes. This requires a more holistic view of the business, identifying key processes that impact strategic objectives and evaluating how automation can optimize these processes for maximum impact.

Strategic automation for SMBs means aligning technology investments with clear business goals, driving measurable outcomes.

Process Optimization Through Data Insights

Data isn’t just a byproduct of automation; it’s the fuel that drives process optimization. As SMBs implement automation tools, they generate a wealth of data about their operations ● customer behavior, sales trends, marketing campaign performance, operational bottlenecks, and more. Analyzing this data provides valuable insights into process inefficiencies and areas for improvement. For example, CRM data can reveal patterns in customer churn, allowing businesses to proactively address at-risk accounts.

Marketing automation data can pinpoint underperforming campaigns, enabling real-time adjustments to improve ROI. Operational data from inventory management systems can highlight inefficiencies in supply chains, prompting process redesigns. The cycle of automation, data collection, analysis, and process optimization Meaning ● Enhancing SMB operations for efficiency and growth through systematic process improvements. becomes a continuous improvement Meaning ● Ongoing, incremental improvements focused on agility and value for SMB success. engine, driving ongoing efficiency gains and strategic advantage.

Consider a small e-commerce business. Implementing marketing automation Meaning ● Marketing Automation for SMBs: Strategically automating marketing tasks to enhance efficiency, personalize customer experiences, and drive sustainable business growth. allows them to track customer interactions across multiple channels ● website visits, email opens, social media engagements, and purchase history. Analyzing this data reveals customer segmentation opportunities, allowing for personalized marketing campaigns Meaning ● Marketing campaigns, in the context of SMB growth, represent structured sets of business activities designed to achieve specific marketing objectives, frequently leveraged to increase brand awareness, drive lead generation, or boost sales. tailored to specific customer groups.

Automation then enables the delivery of these personalized campaigns at scale, improving conversion rates and customer lifetime value. This is an example of data insights directly driving process optimization and strategic growth.

Building An Automation Roadmap

Moving from tactical automation to strategic automation Meaning ● Strategic Automation: Intelligently applying tech to SMB processes for growth and efficiency. requires a roadmap ● a phased plan that outlines automation initiatives aligned with business priorities. This roadmap should consider both short-term wins and long-term strategic objectives. It should also factor in the organization’s capacity for change, resource availability, and technological infrastructure.

A well-defined automation roadmap Meaning ● An Automation Roadmap serves as a strategic blueprint for Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) aiming to integrate automation technologies. provides a clear direction, ensures that automation efforts are focused and coordinated, and helps to manage expectations and track progress. It’s not a rigid plan, but a flexible framework that can be adapted as business needs evolve and new technologies emerge.

Developing an automation roadmap involves several key steps:

1. Assess Current State ● Identify existing processes, pain points, and areas for improvement.
2. Define Business Objectives ● Clearly articulate strategic goals and prioritize them based on business impact.
3. Identify Automation Opportunities ● Map potential automation initiatives to business objectives, focusing on high-impact areas.
4. Prioritize Initiatives ● Rank automation projects based on feasibility, cost-benefit analysis, and alignment with strategic priorities.
5. Develop Implementation Plan ● Outline specific steps, timelines, resource allocation, and responsible parties for each automation project.
6. Establish Metrics and KPIs ● Define key performance indicators to measure the success of automation initiatives and track progress towards business objectives.
7. Review and Iterate ● Regularly review the automation roadmap, assess results, and make adjustments as needed based on data insights and changing business conditions.

This structured approach ensures that automation is implemented strategically, maximizing its impact on business growth and scalability.

Integrating Automation Across Departments

Strategic automation transcends departmental silos. While initial automation efforts may focus on specific functions like marketing or sales, the greatest benefits are realized when automation is integrated across departments, creating seamless workflows and data sharing. For example, integrating CRM with marketing automation and customer service systems allows for a unified view of the customer journey, enabling personalized experiences and proactive support.

Integrating accounting software with inventory management and sales systems streamlines financial processes and provides real-time visibility into business performance. Cross-departmental automation requires careful planning and system integration, but the payoff is a more efficient, agile, and customer-centric organization.

Achieving cross-departmental automation often involves:

• Data Integration ● Connecting different systems and databases to ensure data flows seamlessly across departments.
• Workflow Automation ● Automating processes that span multiple departments, such as order fulfillment, customer onboarding, or lead management.
• Communication and Collaboration Tools ● Implementing platforms that facilitate communication and collaboration across departments, streamlining workflows and information sharing.
• Shared Data Dashboards ● Creating centralized dashboards that provide a unified view of key business metrics across departments, fostering data-driven decision-making at all levels.

This integrated approach breaks down departmental barriers, promotes collaboration, and optimizes business processes end-to-end.

Scaling Automation Infrastructure

As SMBs grow, their automation infrastructure must scale accordingly. Initial automation solutions may be sufficient for early stages, but as business volume increases and complexity grows, more robust and scalable systems are required. This might involve upgrading to more advanced CRM or marketing automation platforms, implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, or adopting cloud-based infrastructure that can handle increasing data volumes and processing demands.

Scalability should be a key consideration when selecting automation tools and designing automation strategies. Investing in scalable infrastructure from the outset can prevent bottlenecks and ensure that automation continues to support growth as the business expands.

Key considerations for scaling automation infrastructure include:

• Cloud-Based Solutions ● Leveraging cloud platforms for scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
• API Integrations ● Choosing tools with robust APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for seamless integration with other systems and future scalability.
• Modular Architecture ● Opting for modular automation systems that allow for incremental expansion and customization as business needs evolve.
• Data Management Strategy ● Developing a comprehensive data management strategy to handle increasing data volumes, ensure data quality, and comply with data privacy Meaning ● Data privacy for SMBs is the responsible handling of personal data to build trust and enable sustainable business growth. regulations.
• IT Support and Expertise ● Ensuring access to adequate IT support and expertise to manage and maintain a growing automation infrastructure.

Scaling automation infrastructure is an ongoing process that requires proactive planning and investment. However, it’s a critical enabler of sustainable growth for SMBs in the long run.

Strategic data-driven automation is not just about efficiency; it’s about building a dynamic, adaptable, and growth-oriented SMB culture. By aligning automation with business goals, optimizing processes through data insights, developing a strategic roadmap, integrating automation across departments, and scaling automation infrastructure, SMBs can unlock the full potential of automation to drive sustainable growth and competitive advantage. It’s a journey of continuous evolution, where technology and strategy converge to create a more resilient and prosperous future.

Transformative Implementation And Cultural Evolution

The trajectory of SMBs embracing data-driven automation culminates not merely in operational efficiency or scalable growth, but in a profound cultural evolution. This advanced stage transcends the tactical deployment of tools and strategic process optimization, reaching a point where data-driven thinking permeates the organizational DNA. Automation, in this context, becomes an intrinsic element of the SMB’s operational philosophy, shaping decision-making at every level and fostering a culture of continuous innovation and adaptation. This transformation necessitates a sophisticated understanding of organizational change management, data governance, and the ethical implications of increasingly automated business environments.

Cultivating A Data Centric Culture

True embrace of data-driven automation is synonymous with cultivating a data-centric culture. This goes beyond data literacy training and tool adoption; it requires a fundamental shift in mindset, where data is not just a reporting metric, but the primary language of business discourse. Decisions, from strategic investments to daily operational adjustments, are consistently grounded in data analysis and evidence-based reasoning.

This culture is characterized by intellectual curiosity, a willingness to challenge assumptions with data, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement driven by data insights. It’s an environment where data fluency is valued across all roles, and data-informed perspectives are actively sought and integrated into organizational processes.

A data-centric SMB culture makes data the primary language of business, driving decisions and fostering continuous improvement.

Data Governance And Ethical Frameworks

As SMBs become increasingly data-driven, robust data governance Meaning ● Data Governance for SMBs strategically manages data to achieve business goals, foster innovation, and gain a competitive edge. frameworks become indispensable. These frameworks establish clear policies and procedures for data collection, storage, access, security, and usage. They ensure data quality, integrity, and compliance with relevant regulations, such as GDPR or CCPA. Data governance is not merely a technical or legal compliance issue; it’s a foundational element of building trust ● both internally among employees and externally with customers.

Furthermore, advanced automation raises ethical considerations, particularly concerning data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the potential displacement of human labor. Establishing ethical frameworks Meaning ● Ethical Frameworks are guiding principles for morally sound SMB decisions, ensuring sustainable, reputable, and trusted business practices. for data usage and automation deployment is crucial for responsible and sustainable implementation. These frameworks should guide decision-making, ensuring that automation is used in a way that aligns with organizational values and societal well-being.

Key components of data governance and ethical frameworks include:

• Data Privacy Policies ● Clear guidelines on data collection, usage, and protection, aligned with relevant regulations.
• Data Security Protocols ● Robust measures to protect data from unauthorized access, breaches, and cyber threats.
• Data Quality Standards ● Processes to ensure data accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
• Algorithmic Transparency and Accountability ● Mechanisms to understand and audit algorithms used in automation, mitigating potential biases and ensuring accountability.
• Ethical Review Processes ● Procedures for evaluating the ethical implications of new automation initiatives and data-driven applications.
• Employee Training on Data Ethics ● Programs to educate employees on data privacy, security, and ethical considerations in data handling and automation.

These frameworks are not static documents; they require ongoing review and adaptation as technology evolves and societal expectations shift.

Hyper Automation And Intelligent Systems

The advanced stage of SMB automation moves towards hyper automation ● the strategic application of multiple automation technologies, including Robotic Process Automation Meaning ● RPA for SMBs: Software robots automating routine tasks, boosting efficiency and enabling growth. (RPA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and process mining, to automate a wide range of business processes. This involves not just automating individual tasks, but orchestrating complex workflows across multiple systems and departments, creating intelligent systems Meaning ● Intelligent Systems, within the purview of SMB advancement, are sophisticated technologies leveraged to automate and optimize business processes, bolstering decision-making capabilities. that can learn, adapt, and even make autonomous decisions within defined parameters. Hyper automation enables SMBs to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency, agility, and innovation, transforming their operations from reactive to proactive and predictive.

Examples of hyper automation applications in SMBs include:

• Intelligent Customer Service ● AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants that handle complex customer inquiries, personalize interactions, and proactively resolve issues.
• Predictive Analytics for Sales and Marketing ● ML algorithms that analyze customer data to predict buying behavior, personalize marketing campaigns, and optimize sales strategies.
• Automated Supply Chain Management ● AI-driven systems that optimize inventory levels, predict demand fluctuations, and automate procurement processes.
• Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for Back-Office Operations ● Software robots that automate repetitive tasks across finance, HR, and administrative functions, freeing up human employees for higher-value activities.
• Process Mining for Continuous Improvement ● Tools that analyze process data to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for automation and optimization.

Hyper automation requires a sophisticated technology infrastructure, skilled personnel, and a strategic vision for leveraging these advanced capabilities to achieve transformative business outcomes.

Human Machine Collaboration And Workforce Transformation

Advanced automation necessitates a fundamental shift in the human-machine relationship within SMBs. The focus moves from simply automating tasks to fostering effective collaboration between humans and intelligent systems. This requires redefining roles, reskilling employees, and creating workflows where humans and machines complement each other’s strengths. Humans bring creativity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving skills, while machines excel at data processing, repetitive tasks, and pattern recognition.

The future of work in data-driven SMBs is characterized by augmented intelligence ● where technology enhances human capabilities, rather than replacing them entirely. This transformation requires a proactive approach to workforce development, ensuring that employees are equipped with the skills and mindset to thrive in an increasingly automated environment.

Strategies for fostering human-machine collaboration Meaning ● Strategic blend of human skills & machine intelligence for SMB growth and innovation. and workforce transformation include:

• Reskilling and Upskilling Programs ● Investing in training programs to equip employees with new skills in areas such as data analysis, AI management, and human-machine collaboration.
• Role Redesign ● Redefining job roles to focus on higher-value activities that leverage human skills and complement automation capabilities.
• Collaborative Workflows ● Designing workflows that integrate human and machine tasks seamlessly, optimizing for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Change Management and Communication ● Proactively communicating the benefits of automation and addressing employee concerns about job displacement and skill gaps.
• Focus on Human-Centric Automation ● Prioritizing automation initiatives that enhance employee experience, improve work-life balance, and create opportunities for professional growth.

This human-centric approach to automation ensures that technological advancements benefit both the business and its workforce.

Adaptive Business Models And Innovation Ecosystems

At its most advanced stage, data-driven automation empowers SMBs to develop adaptive business models Meaning ● Adaptive Business Models empower SMBs to dynamically adjust operations, strategies, and value propositions for sustained growth and competitive advantage in changing markets. and participate in dynamic innovation ecosystems. Real-time data Meaning ● Instantaneous information enabling SMBs to make agile, data-driven decisions and gain a competitive edge. insights and intelligent automation enable businesses to respond rapidly to changing market conditions, customer demands, and emerging opportunities. They can experiment with new products and services, personalize customer experiences at scale, and optimize operations dynamically based on real-time feedback.

Furthermore, data-driven SMBs are better positioned to collaborate with other organizations, participate in industry-wide data sharing initiatives, and leverage external innovation ecosystems Meaning ● Dynamic networks fostering SMB innovation through collaboration and competition across sectors and geographies. to accelerate growth and stay ahead of the curve. This level of agility and adaptability is crucial for long-term success in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Key elements of adaptive business Meaning ● Adaptive Business, for Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs), describes the capability to rapidly and effectively adjust strategies, operations, and resources in response to market changes, technological advancements, and evolving customer demands. models and innovation ecosystems include:

• Real-Time Data Analytics ● Utilizing real-time data streams to monitor business performance, identify trends, and make immediate adjustments.
• Dynamic Pricing and Personalization ● Implementing AI-driven systems for dynamic pricing optimization and personalized customer experiences.
• Agile Product Development ● Leveraging data insights to accelerate product development cycles, iterate rapidly, and respond quickly to market feedback.
• Open Innovation Platforms ● Participating in open innovation initiatives, collaborating with external partners, and leveraging external data sources to drive innovation.
• Data Sharing Ecosystems ● Engaging in industry-specific data sharing ecosystems to gain access to broader market insights and benchmark performance.
• Continuous Experimentation and Learning ● Fostering a culture of experimentation, data-driven learning, and continuous adaptation to changing business conditions.

This advanced stage of data-driven automation represents a paradigm shift for SMBs, transforming them into agile, innovative, and resilient organizations capable of thriving in the digital age.

Transformative implementation of data-driven automation is not a one-time project, but an ongoing journey of cultural evolution. It requires a commitment to data-centricity, ethical data governance, hyper automation technologies, human-machine collaboration, and adaptive business models. For SMBs that successfully navigate this advanced stage, the rewards are significant ● unprecedented levels of efficiency, agility, innovation, and sustainable competitive advantage. The future of SMB success is inextricably linked to the ability to not just embrace, but to fundamentally transform through data-driven automation, shaping a new era of business possibilities.

References

• Brynjolfsson, Erik, and Andrew McAfee. The Second Machine Age ● Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies. W. W. Norton & Company, 2014.
• Davenport, Thomas H., and Jill Dyché. Big Data in Practice ● How 45 Successful Companies Used Big Data Analytics to Deliver Extraordinary Results. Harvard Business Review Press, 2013.
• Manyika, James, et al. “Disruptive technologies ● Advances that will transform life, business, and the global economy.” McKinsey Global Institute, 2013.
• Porter, Michael E., and James E. Heppelmann. “How smart, connected products are transforming competition.” Harvard Business Review 92.11 (2014) ● 64-88.
• Schwab, Klaus. The Fourth Industrial Revolution. World Economic Forum, 2016.