March Madness for Big Data Enthusiasts: The Smart Sixteen Big Data Challenge

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Click on image to make your selection for the IBM Smart Sixteen Big Data Challenge.

I have never participated in a March Madness bracket until now. IBM set up a March Madness bracket for a field of 16 Big Data teams. These 16 Big Data teams are from four areas: Marketing, Finance, IT and Operations. IBM is seeking your input on where you think businesses will get the most value through Big Data. What application of Big Data is most important to you?

I submitted my picks. My top pick is “Predicting Customer Behavior” because everything a business does needs to address how to improve customer loyalty behaviors. To be a sustainable company, we need customers to 1) remain customers (not defect), 2) recommend us to others, and 3) expand their relationship with us. The value of Big Data and accompanying analytics increases when we get a better handle on the understanding of our customers and what drives their loyalty behaviors. Businesses use these insights to make better strategic decisions about investing in areas that lead to a better customer experience and, ultimately, increased loyalty.

Go to The Smart Sixteen Big Data Challenge to make your selection. Deadline for submissions is March 25, 2013. Learn more about the Big Data Bracketology here.