The allure of data science is undeniable – transformative insights, predictive power, and game-changing optimizations. Companies invest significantly, hoping for a competitive edge. However, these efforts frequently result in unused models and insights that do not impact the business. Industry failure rates hover at 70-85%, costing billions.
With 20 years as a data science leader, I’ve seen why analytics projects fail—and how to fix them. Poor execution, misaligned goals, and technical missteps derail the promise of data-driven success. That’s why I founded Analytics That Work LLC. My record of driving millions in growth, building top-tier teams, and creating patented solutions delivers results, not just promises.
Why Projects Falter:
- Aimless Analytics: Starting Without a Clear Business Goal: Too many projects chase a technology (“We need AI!”) or explore data (“What can this tell us?”) without solving a specific, high-value business problem. Without that anchor, efforts lose direction and ROI remains uncertain.
- The Data Hurdle: Underestimating the Grunt Work: Building sophisticated models is exciting, but success hinges on the unglamorous work: accessing, cleaning, integrating, and truly understanding diverse data sources. It’s a common failure and one that rarely is properly managed. My teams and I have built systems processing massive amounts of data. We know that ignoring data quality or integration challenges guarantees flawed outputs.
- Complexity Creep: Choosing Algorithms Over Outcomes: Is a complex deep learning model truly necessary, or can a robust regression or a well-designed automated system deliver the required business insight faster and more reliably? I’ve seen projects fail by over-engineering; I’ve also rescued failed projects by applying advanced techniques like custom Genetic Algorithms when they were the right tool for the job. The proper solution might be complex, but the goal isn’t complexity; it’s effective, efficient problem-solving.
- The Ivory Tower Trap: Failing to Connect with the Business: Analytics built for the business but without the business are destined for the shelf. Continuous collaboration with stakeholders – from sales teams to marketers to C-suite executives – is essential for building trust, ensuring relevance, and driving adoption. My experience being embedded with and building tools directly for Marketing, Retail Sales, and other teams proves this value. Success requires collaboration AND the ability to admit when the project isn’t working.
- The Final Mile Fumble: No Path to Production or Action: A groundbreaking model or insight is worthless if it isn’t operationalized. I have constructed systems that operate tens of thousands of models daily, developed patented frameworks for model scoring, and designed mechanisms for monitoring model health. Analytics is only effective when integrated into workflows, its outputs guide decisions, and it performs consistently over time. Planning for deployment isn’t an afterthought; it’s core to the strategy.
- Execution Gaps: Mismatched Skills or Unrealistic Timelines: Success requires technical expertise, business acumen, and project management. Unrealistic expectations or poor team structures lead to failure. Many statisticians excel in theory but struggle with real-world analytics. At Analytics That Work, we bridge this gap with practical experience and proven execution.
Why Choose Analytics That Work LLC? Because Experience Delivers.
I founded Analytics That Work to cut through the noise and deliver what businesses actually need: tangible, measurable results from their data investments. Our credibility isn’t theoretical; it’s built on 20 years of:
- Driving Measurable Impact: We focus relentlessly on your business objectives, drawing on experience that has generated millions in profit increases and cost savings (like the
- Consistently Building Systems That Drive Business: Over my 20+ year career in data science and analytics, I’ve built systems that don’t just collect dust—they fuel real business success. Across industries like retail, CPG, technology, and manufacturing, I’ve designed and scaled analytics solutions that deliver measurable growth and efficiency. At Analytics That Work LLC, this is our core promise. Here’s how I’ve done it, and how we’ll do it for you.
- Scaling Analytics in Retail
As a senior analytics leader in the retail sector, I created a regression-based system for a major chain’s 4,000+ stores, managing tens of thousands of products. Starting solo, I coded it in SAS (later Python) and generated a quick $800k in annual savings by insourcing analytics, then scaled it with a team for even bigger savings. - Transforming Forecasting in Technology
In a tech-driven analytics role, I invented a patented, data-driven model-scoring system that empowered novice analysts to excel as model builders. Coded in SAS and Python, it cut man-hours by 50% and boosted prediction accuracy by 40%. I also streamlined modeling processes across CPG, insurance, retail, and manufacturing, further reducing build time by 10% and improving quality by 16%. - Boosting Profits in CPG
Leading market research for a CPG giant, I developed an optimal promoted pricing algorithm using regression models. It increased profits by $14 million while cutting trade spend by $20 million, showing analytics’ direct impact on the bottom line. I also built MMM systems that sharpened forecasting across multiple business units. - Automating Insights in Food Manufacturing
In a food industry role, I crafted an Excel-based forecasting tool powered by SAS-generated store-level regression models. It delivered forecasts, scenario planning, and consumer insights, later expanding company-wide. This system accelerated decisions and unlocked millions in growth. - Fixing Optimization in Aerospace
As a subject-matter expert in the defense industry, I salvaged a failing maintenance optimization project. Using a custom Python-based genetic algorithm, I redesigned the system to streamline scheduling—turning a breakdown into a breakthrough.
- Scaling Analytics in Retail
Why Our Effective Analytics Solutions Excel
Across these roles and more, I’ve mastered building systems that work. Whether it’s AI-driven stock screening, automated model generation, or trade promotion analytics, my approach blends business needs with tools like SAS, Python, SQL, and ML. We deliver results fast—because I’ve spent decades proving analytics can drive business, not just pitch it.
- Mastering the Data Lifecycle: From wrangling complex data sources to building automated, production-level systems (like generating 10k+ models daily), we handle the full spectrum of data challenges with proven, pragmatic approaches.
- Deploying the Right Solutions: We leverage a broad toolkit – SAS, Python, SQL, ML, AI, statistical modeling, optimization – to select and implement the most effective technique for your specific need, achieving results like 40% improvements in prediction accuracy while cutting man-hours by 50%.
- Building Bridges, Not Silos: Our background includes consulting Fortune 500s, embedding with sales and marketing teams, and mentoring diverse groups. We translate complex analytics into actionable business language, ensuring buy-in and collaboration.
- Operationalizing Analytics for Lasting Value: We don’t just deliver findings; we deliver systems. Our experience includes building patented, scalable model scoring frameworks, automated insight generation, and model health systems that ensure analytics deliver value long after the project ends.
- Building High-Performing Teams: Having successfully built three analytics teams from the ground up and mentored dozens of analysts and economists, we understand how to structure for success and empower your people.
Invest in Analytics That Deliver, Not Disappoint.
Your business deserves more than just analytics projects; it deserves analytics that work. If you’re ready to move beyond stalled initiatives and unlock the real potential within your data, let’s connect.
Analytics That Work LLC leverages decades of hands-on, results-driven experience to turn your data into a strategic asset. Contact us today to explore how we can build solutions that drive decisions and deliver undeniable business growth.