I am teaching a course based on my 2nd book - Building Analytics Teams. Initially, the class is offered for graduate students in the School of Information (UMSI). The BAT Class is offered as a residential class. I am looking forward to being in Ann Arbor and on campus. In addition to this initial class, I am collaborating with multiple teams at UM to design, build and offer classes related to all forms of Artificial Intelligence for undergraduates, adult learners, and high school students. Teaching in Ann Arbor has been a long desire and dream of mine. I am excited to be able to collaborate with the UM team and the students who attend such a world class educational institution.Go Blue.

I actively lead the ideation, design, development, implementation, & use of innovative Gen AI, Foundational AI, & Causal AI solutions, across all of EY's Service Lines, operating functions, geographies, & for EY's clients globally. My team of 400+ staff & contractors is comprised of - an Applied AI Research group, and a Product Development team. In the Applied AI Research Group, we have been pioneering the development of LLM & SLM Orchestration, Agents, use of Short & Long Term Memory, Expert Model & MOE Architectures. Also, we are working on refining our approaches to: advanced prompt engineering, in context learning, building LLMs & SLMs from scratch, fine tuning LLMs & SLMs, & high performance GenAI implementations.In the product development team, we are building the Intelligence Layer of EY Fabric. We are implementing an environment to encompass all the phases of Foundational/Classical AI from model design to moving models in and out of production environments. We have defined and disseminated the reference architecture for GenAI use across all of EY. Also, we have built a number of leading edge GenAI applications, and an experimentation zone for EY teams to collaborate with internal teams and clients to build new Generative AI applications.We have developed and released: - One of the world's largest, secure, private LLM based chat environment, which has been the fastest growing tech service in EY's history serving over 300,000 employees, achieving 99.6% adoption in under a year- a Synthetic Data Generation Service- an Enterprise Prompt Engineering & Mgt Service- a multi tiered orchestration layer- an agent development & deployment architecture for simple agents, intelligent agents, self replicating agents and polymorphic agentsWe build innovative solutions for EY to use internally and then we make those solutions available to our clients around the world. Our group is delivering global solutions.We drive the leading edge of AI

The book debuted on Amazon as the Number 2 book in the Business Book category.Causal AI - Listed as 50 Books from Thinkers360 Thought Leaders You Should Read in 2024- https://www.thinkers360.com/50-books-from-thinkers360-thought-leaders-you-should-read-in-2024/Casual AI - Listed as one of the 25 Trending Books on AI and Generative AI in September 2024. https://www.thinkers360.com/25-trending-books-on-ai-and-generative-ai-by-thinkers360-thought-leaders/In Causal Artificial Intelligence: The Next Step in Effective, Efficient, and Practical AI, a team of dedicated tech executives delivers a business-focused approach based on a deep and engaging exploration of the models and data used in causal AI. The book’s discussions include both accessible and understandable technical detail and business context and concepts that frame causal AI in familiar business settings.

Data for All was just listed as 50 Books from Thinkers360 Thought Leaders You Should Read in 2024- https://www.thinkers360.com/50-books-from-thinkers360-thought-leaders-you-should-read-in-2024/Data for All was just listed as on of the Top 50 Books you should read in 2023 - https://www.thinkers360.com/50-books-from-thinkers360-thought-leaders-you-should-read-in-2023/Data for All is intended as a practical guide providing useful direction for all people who are interested in, and possibly concerned, about the data that they are continuously and consistently creating as a by-product of their on line actions and almost all activities of their everyday life. Both a handbook and a manifesto, Data for All is a must-read for anyone who wants to take control of their personal data. It lays out how businesses collect, use, and exploit your data, and clearly explains the legislation that will overturn the existing system. Follow my direct and accessible guidance and you’ll completely change your relationship with your data.Sixty years ago, data was not something anyone thought about, because the amount of data we created over our lifetimes was minuscule, disconnected, hard to create, and nearly impossible to access, manage, change, or use for any purposes beyond the specific purpose that the data was created for. In this book, I am talking about ALL data that we create about ourselves as individuals, and all the data that the companies and entities that we interact with have and do create about us. Let's discuss data and how you can become the primary beneficiary of your data. + How can you monetize your data? + What is a data dividend? + How can you support the people/causes you care about through proactive management of your data?+ How can your data work for you?

This book is intended for senior executives, senior and junior managers, and those that are working as part of a team that is accountable for designing, building, delivering and ensuring business (functional and operational) success through advanced analytics and artificial intelligence systems, models and applications.One of the primary objectives of this book is to illustrate all relevant operational aspects of a successful advanced analytics team in a corporate environment. The book provides guidance in the process of investing in and building and managing an analytics team, leadership,technology and related corporate functions.The experience and expertise of the author through 33+ years of involvement in the field is used to demonstrate what do to and what to avoid in the journey of transforming a business and individual functions through data, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence,simulation, and optimization. After reading the book,executives, managers and advanced analytics team members will be able to -secure the appropriate executive sponsorship and support, sufficient funding, create an effective advanced analytics team, select projects that have a high probability of success, undertake those projects and be aware of, and avoid,the organizational and technological pitfalls of moving from a defined project to a production environment that delivers on-going operational improvements on a daily basis.

Analytics was added to the Top 100 Analytics books of all time - https://bookauthority.org/books/best-analytics-books?t=agj5x8&s=award&book=1634622375In the first year of release, the book was a top 5 seller in the analytics category on Amazon. The book remains one of the best selling books (top 10) in the analytics category.The book is targeted to non-technical C-level executives. The premise of the book is to give these executives a glimpse into what analytics are, what can be accomplished, what successful projects and teams look like and how they can engage with technical professional to implement successful analytics projects to drive operational results.Please be aware, I do voice the audio book. This is the first time I have done something like this. I learned a great deal and plan to voice my 2nd book when it is done. I found out that I cannot sniffle when I read the book. The most scathing review about the book and audio book was that the listener could hear me breath and sniffle. Are audio book readers supposed to be robots?The book is available at:- Amazon & Audible: https://lnkd.in/evpeU6p- Hudson Books online: https://www.hudsonbooksellers.com- Selected Hudson Books stores. - I have seen the book in Hudson's in Newark Airport. - Please tell me where you have seen the book.- Technics Publications: https://technicspub.com/- Barnes&Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/analytics-john-thompson/1126727898I hope that you find the book valuable and useful

Marketing Sciences is a consulting firm focused on - Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Data Monetization, Data Integration and Architecture, Internet of Things, and leveraging data for competitive advantage. We help companies increase and improve - patient persistence and compliance, manufacturing yield, sales, marketing; to build compelling products, expand international operations profitably, and how to build new revenue streams from data.Completed projects have included:+ Defining the monetization strategy for a company interested in creating new revenue stream from its existing data assets for existing customers and new prospects.+ Defining a new product and approach to structured and unstructured analytics for a leading technology company.+ Creating sales and channel partner training materials for a software company entering the analytics market.+ Market Research and Strategy planning to enter the US market for a UK based software company.+ Strategic Adviser for Big Data Analytics Platform Company.+ Product Strategy Adviser for Big Data Platform software company.+ Execute Due Diligence process to evaluate the potential to acquire an analytical database company.+ Sales and Marketing advice and guidance for an emerging Business Intelligence vendor.+ Senior Adviser to a Fortune 200 CPG company. Delivering a Business Intelligence Strategy and analyzing their current and future needs for analytics.+ Directing organizational development for an international consulting company regarding their need for skills in undertaking and completing Big Data projects.+ Product Management & Business Development guidance for an emerging database vendor.+ Consultations with Venture Capital firms, Investment Banks, Technology Advisory firms and others on the changing landscape of Big Data, Data Warehousing, Data Syndication, Predictive Analytics and Data Synthesis Applications.

I design, build, and teach classes on Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

CSL Behring, is a $12B global bio pharmaceutical company, the 2nd largest in the world. CSL derives lifesaving therapies from human plasma: specializing in treating rare diseases such a hemophilia.My role is to interface with executives and managers to determine which functions can be most improved with data and analytics. My primary responsibilities include:1. Managing and directing a global team of data scientists, data/value engineers and developers to deliver, maintain and expand AI and analytically based applications to all functions of CSL. 2. Managing a forward looking function that is focused on rapid prototyping and delivery of experimental and innovative applications that drive significant improvement in operations and top/bottom line results.3. Introducing CSL to breakthrough technologies, partnerships, and ways of building data assets, analytical applications and a growing portfolio of AI applications.

Responsible for designing, building and managing the global advanced analytics & AI team. The team is responsible for building, deploying and maintaining the analytics applications and models for the global organization.Recently, a CSL executive said this to me, "I have never known anyone to be able to listen to a business executive describe a challenge or problem and immediately design a practical, workable data and analytics solution on the spot, and beyond that, then direct a team to build the solution exactly as described. You have a real gift."In the first 14 months, I held over 600 meetings with stakeholders ranging from the C-level executives to staff members who work on the manufacturing lines in North America, Western Europe, and Australia.Organizationally, we have built - an advanced analytics & AI Center of Excellence (CoE) staffed with data scientists, visualization experts and UI/UX designers, a Community of Practice (CoP) with over 400 members and 14 Special Interest Groups (SIGs). All three organizational elements (i.e. CoE, CoP and SIGs) work together to design and execute analytic experiments and subsequent projects. The primary objective of our work is to design, test and implement significant operational innovations across all functional and geographic areas of the business. We held the inaugural Data Science Summit (DSS) in Switzerland. The DSS was keynoted by Tom Davenport & Dr. Joseph Pistrui. The event was oversubscribed at 140 attendees. Also, I led a project team to assess and design the Digital Transformation process to support CSL's 2030 global strategy.

Executed consulting engagements and value delivery for CEOs in 20 leading firms. Collaborated with Gartner sales teams to close the sale and then take the lead in managing the on-going consulting relationship. Clients outlined their immediate challenges and my role was to bring to bear my experience and expertise and to collaborate with the 1,900+ Gartner analysts to leverage analysts’ insights, experience and research to help solve executive and board level problems.My clients were in the industries of - enterprise software, cloud & SaaS providers, telecommunications, professional services, banking & financial services and traditional service providers.Core projects included - developing the strategic direction and go to market plans for an IoT vendor, revising and executing a new go to market plan for a firm offering digital transformation and integration via the cloud, innovating and creating a new product evaluation and introduction process to add 50% growth to the top line, creating new pricing models for multiple firms, assisting in the development and introduction of new technology based services for Fortune 50 firms, and supporting M&A transactions.

Statistica is an advanced analytics platform that entered the Leaders Quadrant in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Advanced Analytics in 2015.I was the executive in charge of the business on a global basis. All corporate functions including direct and channel sales, marketing, development and other functional departments reported to me.We created and published a 2 year product roadmap to illustrate our commitment to innovation and our desire to move the industry forward. In the first two years, we developed and delivered 100% of the functionality promised. Subsequently, we published a second two year roadmap.Innovative developments enabled analytic models to run on lightweight Internet of Things (IoT) gateways at the edge of networks, on intermediate nodes and in enterprise and cloud environments for Big Data applications.With the sale of Dell Software, I concluded my involvement and have moved on to new opportunities. I wish the Statistica team all the best. I was honored to have lead the team.

1st US employee, Opened 1st US Office – ChicagoHailo predated Uber as the premier taxi hailing smartphone app. Hailo started in the crowded London market and once the team had established a substantial market lead in the UK, they set their sights on launching in the US. In each city that Hailo operated it built a two sided market consisting of driver networks of licensed taxi drivers and consumer networks and then merged those networks to create a functioning ecosystem. I was recruited, as a consultant, to analyze and define the US market for hailing licensed taxis via an app. The Chicago team under my direction built a functioning and profitable two sided market in 5 months. I hired a team of 6 to execute taxi driver recruitment, marketing, operations and passenger focused customer service.We built positive and lasting relationships with: Taxi Owners, Operators & Affiliates, Over 8,400 taxi drivers in the city, City of Chicago Administration & Regulators.The Chicago network was operating at between 92% and 65% of rides being requested were being served. At this time, it was typical for approximately 25% to 30% of rides requested to be served. Hailo was a huge improvement in service for passengers and a new way for taxi drivers to find and service fares.At launch we executed the following marketing activities: Citywide Outdoor campaign – Billboards, Buses, Taxis & Bus Stops Interviews and discussions with local radio personalities, TV networks and cable programs On-line - blog placements, interviews, product demos and contests Social media – Programs focused on Twitter and Facebook for drivers and consumers

Created a SaaS based micro pricing service for auto insurance pricing while at Kognitio. The Kognitio team did not want to continue with the service. Pricelytics was founded to spin out the intellectual property from Kognitio and offer the service to US based auto insurance companies. It was a great idea and a very innovative use of existing data, but in a novel manner, but it was too early to market.

At Kognitio, my responsibility was to establish the US Operations, which included opening 3 offices, hiring 17 staff members and managing all sales, customer satisfaction, administrative, operational and legal aspects of the US company. P&L responsibility for the US Operations. Acted as the primary spokesperson at events and with technology and financial analysts. My role was to drive Kognitio to establish its: brand, value, products, image, message and market position in the US.

Positioning and selling technology and research solutions to mid and senior level executives. Client engagements included: Coca-Cola, Labatt’s, Whirlpool, Colgate, SC Johnson, Dept of Homeland Security and other global/national accounts.

Taught multidisciplinary groups of students in the IPRO program. The goal of the IPRO program was to bring together diverse groups of students and enable them to work in a team environment on a project. One team built a virtual reality prototype during a semester and another team wrote a business plan for an on-line business.

The remit of the group entailed helping advance the level of analytic sophistication in the BOBJ product line through the develoment and deployment of advanced analytic applications. My role included selling solutions to mid and senior level executives in operational areas and in information technology to address needs in: finance, sales and marketing, compliance, supply chain operation, retail store performance, brand performance and trade promotion effectiveness.

The Board of Directors approved the proposal to change the business model from a hardware provider to a managed service provider. + Developed the strategic plan for the development of the service offerings for media and telecommunications industries. + Negotiated and signed partnerships with - Business Objects, Brio, Broadvision, and Xaact.+ Rebranded the company to support the change in business model. + Analyst coverage was taken from 2 second tier firms to 14 technology analysts and 4 investment banks.+ Signed and managed 2 PR agencies - US and UK. Press coverage - 2 in 1999, 115 in 2000, 220 in 2001.+ Interviews on - radio (BBC Radio 4) and television (BBC News 24). + Company spokesperson at major trade shows in – Chicago, London, New York City. + Initiated and lead the sales process with: CNN UK, Yahoo! and Business.com.

+ Initiated the change in business model from software to services.+ Developed the strategy to focus on the needs of the Insurance industry. + Designed and executed a 6 city seminar tour to raise market awareness and generate leads. Sign up to attendance ratio was 62%. + Obtained coverage from: META, Hurwitz Group, IDC, Aberdeen, Dataquest, and Giga Group.

My role was to sell information management, data warehousing and business intelligence solutions to Consumer Packaged Goods companies on a global basis. We held briefings for Snow Brands of Japan, South African Brewers (SAB), Brahma (Brazil) and numerous other well known brands. I was responsible for understanding each prospect's needs and opportunities to leverage DW and BI solutions and to tailor IBM's offerings to fit those requirements.

Pre/Post Sales consultant1. Selling business intelligence and data warehousing system into mostly Consumer Packaged Goods companies.2. Delivery of BI/DW systems at - Miles Labs, Coors, Anheuser-Busch, Coke, Pillsbury, etc.3. Lived in London while working on assignment at Cadbury-Schweppes, United Biscuits and others.

I installed and managed PC based systems for executives. I installed and managed IBM System 34 & 36s. I installed one of the first Tandem systems in the United States. We implemented a new telecommunication feature that enabled the users to be in another building/location. We had to diagnose and fix problems with the hardware, software and interconnects. I started my MBA while at LaSalle National Bank/ABN Amro.

I developed new systems in Assembler, RPG II and Cobol. I acted as a system administrator on multiple IBM System 32 & 34s. I installed the first PCs and developed a distributed system for rail car management and scheduling. I rolled the new system out to 5 offices across the United States. I installed, upgraded and maintained the hardware and software, trained the users, and developed improvements to the system based on user feedback and input.

Just for fun, I will lay out all the jobs I had before I went to college:- Factory Worker: Milling & machining cast iron parts to become heads for Ford truck engines. ---Each shift (from 3:30pm to 2am) was a workout. ---The cast iron parts weighed about 25 pounds each. ---I lifted and moved about 150 to 200 hundred parts a night. My grip strength was at an all time high.- Automotive & Diesel Mechanic: I worked on cars during the day and then I worked at night on maintaining a fleet of trucks for a local business- Used car sales: Building and selling used cars to local people and at auto auctions- Factory Worker: Built Recreational Vehicles. My job was to build and attach the back wall.- Factory Worker: Machine Shop: Lathes, Drill presses, & Grinding. Mostly parts for military tanks.- Farm Worker: Dairy farm - Birthing Calves, Milking Cows, Bailing Hay, Clearing woods, etc.- Gas Station Attendant: My last retail job. That didn't go well.- Stocking Assistant & Grocery Bagger: I enjoyed stocking the shelves and I loved the free sandwiches.- Grave Digger: Tough job physically and kind of depressing.- Metal Recycling: Removing copper wiring from junked cars and reselling it in the open market.- Automotive Mechanic: Rebuilding engines, carburetors, transmissions, & general repair work.- Car Wash Attendant: I enjoyed making the cars look great. I didn't like being wet most of the time.- Collison repair and automotive rebuilding: Auto body work, painting, and finish work- Tow Truck Assistant: You get to meet people in difficult situations. Distressing at times.- Seasonal Work: Snow Removal and Lawn Maintenance- Farm Worker: Clearing stumps, rocks, and other debris to create new farm land. Lots of dynamite. Fun!- Holiday Wrapping Paper Sales: Really, my grandmother did the selling. I just ate cookies and smiled.- Mechanic Apprentice: Fetch tools, watch process and procedures, clean parts, and do simple tasks.