One key of IBM’s success is how its different sectors partner and work together. The three pillars of the company’s operation include: 1) data engineering and data science, 2) governance and policy, and 3) business integration.

To discuss these three pillars, as well as other topics about the Chief Data Officer (CDO) role, Caitlin Lepech, Communications and Client Engagement executive, IBM Chief Data Office, at IBM, and Dave Schubmehl, research director, Cognitive Systems and Content Analytics, at IDC, spoke to Dave Vellante (@dvellante) and Stu Miniman (@stu), hosts of theCUBE, from the SiliconANGLE Media team, during the IBM Chief Data Officer Strategy Summit in Boston, MA.

“The Chief Data Officer is most successful when they manage the data by pulling it through the business sector,” said Lepech.

By using this process, the other sectors are more aware of what data is useful and needed, and collaboration becomes a key element in the organization. “The idea is you start with that strategy and then that dictates what kind of data you need,” said Lepech, expanding on the role of the CDO, a position that is rapidly gaining traction.

Climbing to the top tier

Collaboration is one key to IBM’s success, but it’s certainly not the only one. “Enterprises are beginning to recognize that it’s not just enough to be retail or manufacturer — you need to be in the top three,” said Schubmehl.

In order to climb to the top three spots, you need innovation, but where that innovation comes from is data. “It all becomes part of the operational fabric of the company,” he added.

For a great example, you don’t have to look further than Amazon, he explained. Amazon has integrated data-driven innovation into its day-to-day decision making and knows exactly where it is. While smaller businesses may not have the resources Amazon does, they can start with customer reviews. They can work to improve by analyzing what customers are saying about them, Schubmehl stated.

Watch the complete video interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE and theCUBE’s coverage of the IBM Chief Data Officer Strategy Summit.

Photo by SiliconANGLE