Kaiser Permanente, Interim Director, Health Plan Business Intelligence: The Data and Analytics Industry is Facing Talent Shortage, Especially in the AI and ML Space

(US and Canada) Joshua Peterson, Interim Director, Health Plan Business Intelligence, Kaiser Permanente, speaks to Robert Lutton, Vice President, Sandhill Consultants, about the profile of a visionary leader for any organization. According to Peterson, a data leader should have a degree in computer science, some advanced degree work, and a diversity of technical and business experiences that reflect the person's ability to adapt to rapid change. Peterson discusses how leaders have to always be reaching, never resting on their laurels.

Peterson suggests key points for organizational strategy and roadmaps for achieving a high return quickly. He says a data and analytics department must have buy-in from their partners through the entire organization; the data and analytics team must be seen as a key strategic partner to the business and the organization as a whole. "If we provide that real economic value to even one business within the organization, that could cascade," he says.

Talking further about the importance of developing a talent pool within an organization, Peterson shared his views on talent, talent development, and talent acquisition. He shares that there's a dearth of data and analytics talent in the market right now. The data and analytics industry faces skill-shortage, especially in the artificial intelligence and machine learning space. To overcome the shortage and retain the talent industry has to offer a competitive monetary remuneration, Peterson says to make sure that they offer talent a different structure that is easy to play, has the least amount of friction so that these talented individuals can focus on their craft. He stressed the crucial aspect of leveraging the existing talent as well.