Here is a strategy that you can use to get started without too many distractions.
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If you start today, you'll probably feel overwhelmed by how much βapparentlyβ you need to understand.
But it doesn't need to be like that.
You can take a much more practical approach to learn what you need and start providing value right away.
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Instead of starting "from the beginning," you can hack your way "from within."
The idea is simple:
1. Pick a simple problem βor an areaβ that's interesting to you.
2. Take the necessary steps to learn how to solve that problem.
3. Keep adding complexity as you see fit.
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A "simple problem" always starts with some data.
Look around your organization, and they are likely collecting some data already.
(Even accessing Google Analytics data is a great start!)
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Once you get the data, you want to start asking questions about it.
I got started with the check data of customers of a restaurant.
I decided to answer questions like this: "What did those who bought a beer have for dinner?"
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Answering that question led to even more interesting questions.
It also put me on a path to start learning and proving value since the very first day!
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Here are some other interesting questions I worked on:
β«οΈ What's the preferred beer for those who bought burgers?
β«οΈ Who spends more? Those who buy appetizers or those who don't?
β«οΈ What's the single appetizer that leads to a larger spend?
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Unless you have access to some data already, starting with a valuable problem will be a little bit hard.
You can always tackle a toy exercise, but finding the right one is not always easy.
If you are stuck, consider focusing on a specific area instead.
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Here are a few areas that you can choose to get started:
β«οΈ Defecting defects using pictures
β«οΈ Answering questions automatically
β«οΈ Detecting specific objects in a picture
β«οΈ Forecasting your financial position
β«οΈ Recommending products based on purchases
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Narrowing your focus to a specific area will help direct your attention to what's really important.
Remember:
You want to add knowledge in a very intentional manner. One step at a time, as it's needed to move forward.
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And, of course, there's nothing wrong with the traditional top-down approach.
Or with any other way you decide to follow.
The only important thing is that you stay consistent and keep providing value!
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