People Analytics: How Social Sensing Technology Will Transform Business and What It Tells Us About the Future of Work

by Benjamin Waber

Discover powerful hidden social "levers" and networks within your company… then, use that knowledge to make slight "tweaks" that dramatically improve both business performance and employee fulfillment! In People Analytics , MIT Media Lab innovator Ben Waber shows how sensors and analytics can give you an unprecedented understanding of how your people work and collaborate, and actionable insights for building a more effective, productive, and positive organization. Through cutting-edge case studies, Waber shows Drawing on his cutting-edge work at MIT and Harvard, Waber addresses crucial issues ranging from technology to privacy, revealing what will be possible in a few years, and what you can achieve right now. In bringing the power of analytics to organizational development, he offers immense new opportunities to everyone with responsibility for workplace performance.

Genres: Business, Leadership, Nonfiction

219 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2013

Reviews

[Sascha Alavi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really cannot recommend this book. In my opinion, it did not at all fulfill expectations created by the title. The book does scarcely address people analystics and innovative technologies in this respect, but rather discusses company organization and network issues on a very broad and general level.

[Abhay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting
But not so intuitive. Addressing privacy concerns would be useful as well

[Bill Rodriguez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good read, I agree we need in person / face to face meetings. I also think there are ways to make that work even if you are virtual.

[gramakri · Rating 3 out of 5]

People Analytics involves measuring, collecting and analyzing the data which characterizes the people's behavioral patterns.
While the traditional methods of collecting such data has been through direct observations or through surveys, the emerging trend is the use of social sensors like company ID badges, cell phones etc.
This has a huge potential to enable an organization to understand in a better manner, how their people work and collaborate. This will provide them with actionable insights for improving the effectiveness and productiveness of the work force.
Ben Waber, an expert on organizational dynamics and social sensing technologies shows in this book how this is possible.
A very well written and interesting book to read !
Read more details about this book @ http://www.rgopinath.com/2013/08/29/b...

[Sebastian · Rating 1 out of 5]

The general approach of the book is refreshing and the idea tempting. But when you read the last two chapters you come to realize that the whole book is just plain marketing for the product and although the author claims that he advances the view of people just being cogs in a machine, in the end he is doing exactly that again. Maybe worse. Not sure yet.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not clear how much of the book was really based on data they took with their sociometric badges, but a lot of interesting ideas.

[Andrew Sebastian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overview of social-sensing tech and how it can impact business. Several case examples of data collected and interventions in team placement and composition.

[Fresno Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little too much of a commercial for their sensor badges, but still interesting