What’s This ABout?

 

Improving performance through algorithmic decision-making.

If you find yourself asking, “What the heck is algorithmic decision-making?!”, you’re not alone. It’s basically using a codified set of rules, the algorithm (or “algo” as I often call it), to suggest a particular course of action—that is, the decision to make. Using rules to guide decision-making is superior to intuitive decision-making (your “gut feeling”) because following rules enhances our ability to make consistently better decisions especially under stress. It’s human nature to select the path of least resistance, to succumb to the easy, obvious choice in front of us.

Having a process, guided by sound algorithms, can provide clarity in uncertain situations. 

Of course, you can’t have an algorithm without a set of rules by which to abide. So true to form, here are the guiding principles, the rules, for exploring the field of algorithmic decision-making. We…

    1. Have a process orientation with an emphasis on allowing the data to guide us. We’ll be asking, “Does the data support our hypotheses?”

    2. Are committed to progress not perfection. In the words of Neil deGrasse Tyson, “When you are done making mistakes, you are no longer on the frontier.” 

    3. Will foster our insatiable curiosity. We aim to outperform our competition. We’re constantly asking, “How can we improve?”

    4. Offer transparency. We strive to be thought leaders. The methods we deploy and the insights we have, we’ll share.

I want to help everyone improve their decision-making performance. I want the topics discussed to germinate within your subconscious. I think you’ll find, like I have, the broad applications in peripheral fields.

An algorithm to help you make better decisions doesn’t need to live on a spreadsheet, or be a complex, multivariate model; it can be as simple as abiding by a routine. We’ll dive into all of this and more. I can’t wait!

Let’s get started.

/CR