The Data Operator: How the World’s Largest Particle Accelerator Boosted My Career

Alexander Loth featured in BNN regarding his career boost at CERN
Alexander Loth featured in BNN regarding his career boost at CERN

The world’s largest particle accelerator not only unleashed hidden particles but also unlocked my career growth. As a young data scientist, my journey at CERN was a career boost that laid the foundation for my future endeavors. Read about my first day at Microsoft here.

Der Daten-Verarbeiter: Der weltgrößte Teilchenbeschleuniger war für Alexander Loth ein Karriere-Turbo

BNN, 14.07.2021

Today in the news:

  • A Career Turbocharged at CERN: CERN offered more than just research opportunities. Working at CERN was a defining moment for me. The cutting-edge technology, incredible talent, and the massive amount of data were the catalysts that propelled my career to new heights.
  • Data as the Common Thread: My time at CERN reinforced my belief in the transformative power of data. „Data is the common thread that runs through my professional life.“ From CERN to Tableau, and now at Microsoft, my passion for data continues to drive my career forward.
  • Decisively Digital – A New Publication: My new book, 📖 Decisively Digital (Amazon), published by Wiley, reflects my thoughts on digital transformation. It’s a culmination of my experiences and insights from various stages of my career.

I am grateful for my journey from CERN, via Tableau, to Microsoft. The opportunities, learning, and growth have been truly enriching, and I look forward to what the future holds. Stay connected and follow my journey on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Read the online version of the newspaper article: Wie ein Karlsruher am CERN in die Welt der Daten eintauchte (BNN, 14.07.2021)

Decisively Digital is the #1 New Release in Organizational Change on Amazon

Our book Decisively Digital is the number 1 new release in Organizational Change on Amazon!

The paperback of Decisively Digital became available yesterday in the US, with other territories soon to follow.

It took a village to finish this book. Many thanks to all of you:

Meetup #19 – Chart Choice & Anomaly Detection for Warranty Cases

Dilyana's session: Chart Choice - many ways to visualize data
Dilyana’s session: Chart Choice – many ways to visualize data

Recently we had the 19th edition of our Data & AI Meetup. This meetup focused on Chart Choice & Anomaly Detection for Warranty Cases. Let’s have a quick recap!

Agenda:

Meetup discussion: Sven, Alexander, and Shubham
Meetup discussion: Sven, Alexander, and Shubham

  1. Intro & announcements: our 5th anniversary
  2. Chart Choice
    by Dilyana Bossenz, Business Analytics and Enablement Manager at M2.
  3. New Book: Decisively Digital – From Creating a Culture to Designing Strategy
    by Alexander Loth, author & executive advisor at Microsoft
  4. Anomaly Detection for warranty cases with an example of the automotive industry
    by Shubham Agarwal, Lead Data Scientist at ATCS
    and Frank Schlemmbach, Sr. Consultant at ATCS
    and Sven Sommerfeld, Managing Director at ATCS
  5. Wrap-up

Session recording:

Further information:

The next Data & AI Meetup?

The next Data & AI Meetup will be announced on the Data & AI LinkedIn group and on the Data & AI Meetup page. Feel free to join!

If you’ve dreamed of sharing your Data & AI story with many like-minded Data & AI enthusiasts, please submit your session proposal.

Decisively Digital — From Creating a Culture to Designing Strategy: Book is Now Available

My new book Decisively Digital — From Creating a Culture to Designing Strategy is now available for pre-order at most bookstores. The ebook is already available:

Book’s website | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | IndieBound | Thalia | published by Wiley

Check out 24 gripping interviews with Elissa Fink, Mohamed Abdel Hadi, Dr. Henna Karna, Derek Roos, Edna Conway, Kerem Tomak, André Rabold, Bora Beran, Florian Ramseger, Tatyana Yakushev, Patrick Kirchgäßner, Jordan Morrow, Yilian Villanueva Martinez, Lee Feinberg, Mark Kromer, Sarah Burnett, Andreas Kopp, Cameron Turner, Christy Marble, Prof. Dr. Patrick Glauner, Vladimir Alexeev, Sofie Blakstad, Sven Sommerfeld, and Ian Choo. Thanks also to Bernard Marr for the foreword, Patrick Walsh for editing, and everyone for supporting me in the preparation and reviews.

More about the book from the back cover:

INSIGHTS AND APPLICATIONS FROM 24 LEADERS OF THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION FROM CREATING A CULTURE TO DESIGNING STRATEGY

Today’s business world is Decisively Digital. Across the business landscape, the leaders rising to the top are the ones who can think big-picture about data, AI, analytics, and beyond. How do we build new capabilities around digital, so we can push into the future with full steam? That’s the question at the heart of the twenty-four incisive interviews inside this unique collection of up-to-the-minute expertise from the people who are moving business forward.

With this book, your mentors are the very digital masterminds behind some of today’s top global organizations. Discover how tech giants are reinventing the world of work, how the financial sector is streamlining with data analytics, and what the latest AI research means for the businesses of today and tomorrow. You’ll also gain access to a toolkit of updates, further reading, and digital strategy ideas on the included companion website.

Discover the inspiration you need to evolve your business for the digital age and learn to:

    • Establish a digital culture that empowers people to work smarter
    • Implement data democracy and analytics to discover new capabilities
    • Generate tangible business results using new tech tools
    • Realize efficiencies with artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things
    • Apply real-world examples as you build your own future-proof digital strategy

“Alexander […] has brought together some of the brightest voices and smartest thought leaders from leading organisations across many industries, to bring you unmissable insights and real-world examples to showcase how technology can improve your businesses and drive business results today and tomorrow.”
—Bernard Marr, Futurist, influencer and best-selling author of Tech Trends in Practice and The Intelligence Revolution

Decisively Digital is decisively executive. Great experts, great interviews, and great insights combine to a crisp, cohesive and powerful story. It would be quite a mistake for any (aspiring) leader not to dive into this book, so I will definitely put it on the list of mandatory readings for my future students!”
—Markus Maedler, Director Executive MBA Programmes at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management

Thank you all who helped me to complete this book — and please feel free to share the news:

Meetings limited to 30 min and a 4-Day Workweek, Boosts Productivity by 40%: Microsoft’s Success Story

4 day workweek Microsoft experiment: performance boost by 40%
4 day workweek Microsoft experiment: performance boost by 40%

The 4 day workweek Microsoft experiment is a groundbreaking initiative that has captured global attention. By embracing a four-day workweek in Japan, Microsoft achieved a 40% boost in productivity. This article explores the details of the experiment, its implications, and how it aligns with the broader trends in automation and work efficiency.

The Future of Work and Automation

The 4th industrial revolution is upon us, and with it comes a new era of efficiency and productivity. Automation is transforming nearly all areas of our lives, allowing us to achieve superior results in less time. This evolution is not only reshaping our work but also improving our work–life balance. A century ago, a six-day workweek was the norm. The industrial revolution then ushered in the five-day workweek. Now, the 4-day workweek is not just a possibility but an inevitability, driven by technological advancements.

The 4-Day Workweek: A Historical Perspective

The concept of a 4-day workweek is not new, but it has gained traction in recent years. Companies like Microsoft are leading the way, recognizing that reduced working hours can lead to increased efficiency and happier employees. This shift is more than a trend; it’s a response to the changing nature of work in the digital age.

If you’re interested in understanding how Japan’s urban intensity contrasts with its evolving work culture, my Tokyo travel experience vividly portrays the relentless pace and energy of Tokyo. The very atmosphere that seems to demand a traditional, grueling workweek is also the backdrop for this revolutionary change.

Microsoft’s Experiment: A 4-Day Workweek

In a bold move, Microsoft tested a four-day workweek in Japan, allowing employees to enjoy a three-day weekend. By limiting meetings to 30 minutes and promoting remote communication, they achieved a 40% boost in productivity, measured as sales revenue per employee. This experiment proved that a shorter workweek doesn’t mean cutting salaries; it means working smarter.

This experiment reflects a broader cultural shift in Japan, a country where even culinary traditions are being modernized. In my post on Tokyo’s best sushi experiences, I discuss how top sushi chefs balance tradition with innovation—much like how Microsoft is blending conventional work practices with modern efficiency strategies.

Key Observations from the 4 Day Workweek Microsoft Experiment

  • Productivity Boost: Sales revenue per employee increased by 39.9%.
  • Adoption of Short Meetings: 30-minute meeting adoption rate rose by 46%.
  • Remote Work Success: Remote meeting adoption rate increased by 21%.
  • Energy Efficiency: Power consumption decreased by 23.1%.
  • Positive Impact on Work and Life: Changes and effects on consciousness/behavior were observed at 96.5% for work and 97.1% for life.

For those who’ve experienced the bustle of Shibuya Crossing, this shift may seem as chaotic as navigating Tokyo’s busiest intersection. However, just as Shibuya embodies the organized chaos of city life, Microsoft’s experiment shows that structure can emerge from what seems like an overwhelming change.

Decisively Digital

This blog post is inspired by a recent LinkedIn discussion and reflects some of the ideas in our new book, Decisively Digital: From Creating Culture to Designing Strategy. This book delves into the digital transformation journey, providing insights and strategies for businesses to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Ready to embrace the future of work? Explore the 4-day workweek and other innovative strategies in Decisively Digital (Amazon). Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn for more insights on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and business analytics.