Conversations with Goodman host Susan LeBlanc talks to Anteneh Ayanso, professor of information systems and chair of the Department of Finance, Operations and Information Systems at the Goodman School of Business.

Ayanso is also the director of Brock’s new Centre for Business Analytics which is set to begin operations this fall.

Ayanso is passionate about not only the field of data analytics but also the application of data techniques and teaching students how to make decisions based on data sets.

He explains that although data analytics is a hot topic as of late, the concept itself is not new.

“What makes it different now is the volume of data that is being generated,” he said.

Organizations are using big data to better understand their industries and competition and to stay ahead of the curve.

Ayanso says that organizations must bring in capabilities – human talent and technologies – to process data and that we are already seeing amazing things happen in every industry as a result of this.

Added to Goodman’s MBA program in 2014, the business analytics specialization allows students to learn about the tools, software, techniques and awareness needed to make good management decisions based on data.

This podcast is the latest in the Conversations with Goodman series which is produced by the Goodman Marketing, Communications and Alumni Relations team and features guests from the Goodman community.