(US and Canada) Nick Sims, Abbott Neuromodulation Business Unit CIO, speaks with Michael C. Fillios, IT Ally Founder & CEO and CDO Magazine Editorial Board Member, in this video interview about the business unit’s needs, data governance, suggestions for small businesses for implementing technologies, and the role of managers in talent development.

Sims says that addressing the business unit’s needs and those at the organization’s higher levels is less of a balancing act because the consumer is the center of the business. Accordingly, the consumer focus rallies the organization around investing in cybersecurity or the tech deck.

Regarding Abbott’s approach to data governance, Sims notes that the organization is broad and open with data policies. Yet, at the same time, it is also segmented with data because the health care industry is very regulated.

Sims highlights two critical steps to ensuring successful data governance:

1. Follow the rules — it’s one of the easiest things to do. 

2. Exercise caution regarding opportunities where it may make sense to share data.

He adds that Abbott leans to the conservative side when thinking about data, sharing, and access rights.

Next, Sims advises small-business owners thinking about leveraging data and analytics to make decisions relevant to the company’s size and find ways to merge governance, machine learning, and AI into the business. He emphasizes that those IT aspects are not going away and will only become more pronounced and business-critical.

Sims also discusses his approach to talent attraction and retention. He urges organizations to double down on the management layer because they play a critical role in not only retaining but attracting talent.

CDO Magazine appreciates Nick Sims for sharing his insights and data success stories with our global community.

See more from Nick Sims

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