George Firican

💬 Founder of LightsOnData.com and LightsOnData YouTube Channel
Focused on providing informative content such as ONLINE COURSES, templates, guides, best practices, articles, white papers, and other useful resources to help you with your data governance and data management questions and challenges

💬 Creator of online courses that are engaging, new, and thorough. 
Courses: Building an Award-Winning Business Glossary, Data Governance Maturity Models, Data Governance Fundamentals, etc. - check them out here: https://www.lightsondata.com/courses/

💬 Providing LinkedIn content strategy for data-focused companies and products, as well as those with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), business intelligence (BI, data science, data management, and data governance areas.
Connect with me today and ask how I can help you reach the data audience.

💬 Host of Lights on Data Show - a podcast and LinkedIn Live weekly show that provides insights into the data world and showcases people that help to shape it.

💬 Get some fun data merchandise here: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/lightsondata/all

💬 International key note speaker, conference speaker, and panelist (spoken at over 60 different conferences).

💬 I love being on camera, hiking, surfing, filming, and video editing
YouTube: @LightsOnData


🏛 My experience and specialties: 
• Expertise in data governance, information quality, business intelligence & data management
• Extensive background in web and application development with experience of the full life-cycle of a project
• Strong leadership capabilities, organizational and communication skills

Specialties: 
• Enterprise information management: Information quality, data governance and stewardship, master data management, business intelligence, business process improvement
• Development: Web and application development, relational database design and development
• Planning: Budget and resource planning, agile and waterfall project management, team development and leadership
• Tools and Applications: Collibra, Tableau, MS Visio, MS Project, Premiere, Photoshop

Director, Data Governance & Business Intelligence

George Firican 💡

Pst…there’s a raffle coming up for a chance to snag a cool grand prize!

Join me at Data & Analytics After Hours on Monday, March 9th, 5:00–6:30 PM in the Exhibitor Showcase at the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit! 

I’ll be there with the wonderful:

💡Kate Strachnyi 
💡SCOTT TAYLOR  
💡Ravit Jain 
💡Aditi Jain  
💡Andreas Welsch 

Let me know if you can join.

Still need to register? Use code DATA2 to save $450 off registration: https://lnkd.in/gZh6rfQC

#GartnerDA #DataCommunity #DataSummit

💡 Award Winning Data Governance Leader | Content Creator & Influencer | Founder of LightsOnData | Podcast Host: Lights On Data Show | LinkedIn Top Voice

How do you scale AI without increasing risk at the same time?
Well…

Many organizations are still trying to figure this out.

Moving AI into production isn’t just a technology challenge.
It’s an AI and data governance challenge.
A risk challenge.

And often a coordination challenge between data, data science, and risk teams.

If this question is on your mind, this session at the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit should be an interesting one to attend.

Join Ali Can Toprak (Enterprise Data Governance Manager at ExxonMobil) and Felix Van de Maele (CEO & Co-Founder of Collibra) as they discuss how data management is evolving into a unified AI governance discipline.

What you’ll learn:
✅ How to bridge the gap between data, data science, and risk teams
✅ The secret to building a shared semantic context to scale AI
✅ How ExxonMobil strengthens accountability across the enterprise

⏱️ 1:15-1:45 PM 
📍 Sun 4, Level 2

See you there!

#data #AI #datagovernance #partnerpost

Collibra Gartner 2026 George Firican Felix Van de Maele

There was a large exodus from ChatGPT lately.
So which is your go-to LLM?

Graphic Source: Amit Rawal  

#llm #AI

No alternative text description for this image

Italy is known for many things: culture, incredible food, beautiful landscapes.
But during my visit, I also discovered something else:

Innovation.

At the Italian Pavilion I met Donato De Ieso (Co-Founder and CEO of dillium), who showed me what they are building with spatial computing and the Apple Vision Pro.

One example that stood out: creating interactive 3D models from simple photos.
Imagine being able to:

✅ Take a photo of a product and instantly turn it into a 3D model
✅ Zoom in, rotate it, or even explore inside it
✅ Break it apart piece by piece to understand how it works

This has huge implications for training, maintenance, design, and product visualization. Instead of transporting large equipment or complex machinery, you can interact with it digitally in a shared spatial environment.

It felt a bit like stepping into a "Tony Stark style" interface.

What I find fascinating is how technologies like spatial computing move us from just looking at data and models on a screen to actually interacting with them.

And that opens the door to entirely new ways of learning, collaborating, and making decisions.

Sometimes innovation shows up in the places you least expect it. Even between a cafe latte and a plate of pasta in Italy.

What industries do you think will benefit the most from spatial computing?

#innovation #VR #technology

Would you like one of these modular phones/ gadgets?

Why do you think these aren’t taking off?

Note: video not mine

#technology #tech #gadget

One of the most valuable things you get from the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit is perspective.

Not just from the sessions.
From the people.

At this summit there are hundreds of conversations happening between data leaders, architects, analysts, and governance professionals.

Some will be about AI.
Some about data platforms.
Some about governance and trust.

But many of the most interesting insights is also happening in the hallways, between sessions, and during those spontaneous meetups with people who care about the same challenges you do.

These are the conversations that spark ideas.
The ones that turn into collaborations months later.
The ones that remind you how strong and passionate this data community really is.

Looking forward to reconnecting with friends and meeting new people over the next few days.

If you are here as well, come say hello.

What is one topic you are most excited to discuss or learn about this week?

#Data #AI #GartnerDA

At the Zoho Analytics booth, we had a really interesting discussion about where analytics is heading across industries and…

…what it takes to turn data into decisions that actually shape how organizations operate.

And of course, there was a live demo.
It’s always fascinating to see how it approaches the journey from data → agentic insight → decision.

I also had the chance to sit down with Sailas Sundaram, Head of Product Strategy at Zoho Analytics, for a conversation about the evolving role of analytics and what teams should be thinking about as AI becomes more embedded in how we work with data.

(The full interview will be coming next week so watch out this space.)

I’m curious:
“What do you most want to see when a vendor gives an analytics demo at a conference?”

#data #analytics #AI

How many of you have run into these problems when trying to move AI into production?

⚠️ Governance and access issues
⚠️ Missing business context
⚠️ Data that can’t be trusted

This is where many promising AI initiatives stall.
The model works. The pilot looks great.

But connecting AI to real enterprise production data turns out to be the hard part.

If you’re here at Gartner D & A Summit 2026, this session tackles that exact challenge:
“AI Has a Production Data Problem. Here’s How Teams Are Solving It”

⏱️ Monday, March 9 | 1:40 - 2:00 PM
📍 Theater 1, Exhibit Showcase

The session explores how organizations are moving AI into production with Simba Intelligence, giving AI governed access to enterprise data without copying data, breaking pipelines, or losing control.

If you're curious how teams are solving this, it’s worth attending.

And if you'd like to start or continue the conversation, visit Simba Intelligence from insightsoftware at Booth 329.

#data #artificialintelligence #AI #partnerpost

Did you know the Inca civilization managed one of the largest empires in the Americas without a written language?

Instead, they used quipu. A system of knotted cords that allowed them to record numbers, track resources, and manage logistics across thousands of miles of roads.

All of that… centuries before spreadsheets, databases, or dashboards.

Sipping a cafe latte in an old Inca town made me think about how humans have always tried to bring order to information. Whether through knots in rope or modern data platforms, the goal has not changed much.

Understand what you have.
Organize it well.
Use it to make better decisions.

Different tools. Same mission.

Sometimes data history goes back further than we think.

Let’s keep putting the LightsOnData.
-George Firican 

#data #history

At conferences, I usually ask vendors one question:
“How does this help shape a decision?”

Not a prettier or quicker dashboard. A decision.

This year, I’m curious how analytics platforms are handling the shift toward AI-assisted and agentic experiences.

When a platform talks about AI-assisted or agentic analytics, I’m especially interested in:
✅ How it sits on top of a real data foundation
✅ How the semantic layer holds up
✅ How it helps shape decisions in practice 

That’s the lens I’m bringing to the Gartner floor this year.

Zoho Analytics is at Booth 428 and offering on-site demos, so if you’re evaluating BI or analytics platforms, it’s a chance to explore how they’re approaching this shift.

You can book a demo slot here:
https://lnkd.in/ekEpps8g 
Now I’m genuinely curious:

When you visit analytics booths at Gartner, what do you actually want to see demonstrated?

#data #analytics #partnerpost

Turning retail data into real business results can be a tough problem, but the solution isn’t more tech. It starts with grounding your data strategy in business outcomes and building from there.

In this article, I break down how retail teams can move from disconnected dashboards and siloed analytics to a practical, value-focused data strategy. 

Key lessons include: 
1️⃣ Start with the business problem not the tools + Clarify the goal first (like reducing churn or improving customer experience)
2️⃣ Empower better questions across teams so insights actually lead to action
3️⃣ Put data governance in place early to build trust in your numbers
4️⃣ Balance pace with capacity so you deliver wins without burning out
5️⃣ Build data literacy and ownership so everyone speaks the same language 

I also cover where the retail data push usually starts, how AI fits in practically (not hype), and what future trends are shaping smarter operations. 

If you work in retail or data and want strategies that actually move the needle, I hope this will help you:
https://lnkd.in/gEubetHW

💡 Nicholas Kelly

Delivering Data Analytics

Nicholas Kelly is the principal consultant and trainer at G&K Consulting. He is a leader in analytics adoption having designed and developed dashboards for some of the world's largest companies, from global banks to Formula 1 teams.

He is a frequent speaker at international conferences, has trained thousands of professionals in data visualization and analytics adoption and is the inventor of the Dashboard Wireframe Kit. Previously, he was a Deloitte Analytics Senior Manager.

Consultant, Author, Speaker

G&K Consulting, LLC

Products: Dashboard Wireframe Kit and Enterprise Dashboard Process training

Principal Consultant

Data Visualisation Open Guidelines

Vision
To be the centre for authoring and defining data visualisation best practices. To inspire passion for how people see data and information. We want data visualisation to be the avenue people take to start learning more about the world and extracting information from the data that exists all around them.
 
Mission
To advance the field of data visualisation. To provide an open and independent platform for the definition and specification of data visualisation best practices in all its forms. To make data visualisation accessible and understandable to the general public in an intuitive and easy manner.
 
Goals
·         An international forum for exchange and contribution to the field
·         Define the categories of data visualisation
·         Author / Publish a set of evolving best practice guidelines
·         Development of an interactive web guide for chart selection
·         The value proposition and business case for data visualisation
·         The primary resource for best practices, innovations and latest developments

Co-Founder

SurveyGizmo

SurveyGizmo Editorial Board Member

TDWI

Through TDWI I teach topics related to the UX of analytics, dashboard design, data visualization and analytics adoption.

TDWI Instructor

Logic20/20, Inc.

Responsible for building out the market strategy and solutions around visual analytics. Our approach to analytics is to rapidly achieve business outcomes and behavioral change through sustainable and iterative change management by leveraging data.

Director, Visual Analytics and Go-To-Market

BluLink Solutions

As Vice President of Services at BluLink my role is to drive the strategic vision for our services with a focus on building the data visualization and analytics practices while supporting and expanding the core business functions of user experience, process architecture/optimization and software development.

Our analytics approach pairs business imperatives with user needs to ensure dashboards and reports are evolving and growing with the business and changing requirements of the user.

BluLink is a user-centric technology consulting firm that designs, builds and consults on enterprise portals, analytics and user adoption. We are rapidly expanding our data viz and analytics capabilities in 2017

Vice President

Deloitte

Management
Managed teams on a wide spectrum of analytics projects. All teams operated with the agile framework  to ensure timely and quality project delivery. Initiated and deployed Deloitte's analytics knowledge management solution globally for the 13,000 data science professionals.

Analytics & Big Data
Full analytics process: concept design, workshops, data acquisition, transformation (ETL), data model design and development, data analysis dashboard design, dashboard development and user adoption (and repeat as needed). All analytics engagements are focused on business insight.

Data Visualisation
Data visualisation lead for the region with responsibility for ensuring visualisation best practices, dashboard and visualisation design, prototype development, concept design and visualisation-related activities combined with industry-specific knowledge for each engagement.

Client Experience Labs/Workshops
An essential element of every engagement is understanding the client and the problems and questions they want addressed. To facilitate this a project commences with a lab/workshop that allows all the key stakeholders to come together in a creative brainstorming session that typically results in a series of wire-frame sketches of the proposed solution.

Industry Knowledge
Industry solutions have included finance and AML, HR, technology, media, telecommunications, consumer retail, healthcare, business profitability, revenue and performance, procurement spending, tax, audit and risk. This range of industry knowledge supports a wider perspective for solutions by pulling on experience from other successful, and similar, industry solutions.

Partner Alliances
Involved in managing the relationships with BI vendor partners such as Qlik, Tableau, Watson Analytics and Spotfire.

Senior Manager Analytics

Acromobile

Department lead responsible for user experience and user interface design and software development managing a team of software developers and testers. Platforms included iPhone, Android, iPad, web and mobile web for multiple client projects all built on Force.com, SaaS, architecture.

Full development responsibility for all web and mobile web deployments including architecture and version control. 

The job role covered the following areas: UI design, persona development, story-boarding, use cases, UI specification documentation, wire-framing, concept design, prototype development, export to development and UAT.

An extensive client list included the following:
•	VISA Consumer and VISA Commercial promotions apps
•	MediaCorp events management app
•	Bank of China promotions app 
•	Union Bank promotions app
•	Nokoi Island point of sale iPad app

Director of User Experience

Lincor Solutions

Complete responsibility for information architecture, user experience, UI design and UI development for the following interfaces:
•	Doctor/nurse interface for IPad deployment.
•	New patient entertainment interface for mobile devices.
•	Orderly/Other staff interface for IPad deployment.

Software Development Consultant

🌉 Bridging the Data-Business Divide: 
Nick is a passionate management consultant, educator, and author on a mission to connect data professionals and business professionals. His approach is focused on teamwork, inventive methods, bridging technical gaps, and aligning teams on value and outcomes – all with the goal of increasing data literacy. Nick is the creator of several business board games and the author of the book Delivering Data Analytics.

🚀 Professional Journey: 
Nick's two decades of international experience, which combines User Interface Design, User Experience, Analytics, and Change Management, has enabled him to provide inspiring, motivating journeys. He creates user-centric, data-driven solutions to align with business goals, and facilitates successful organizational change with data.

🎯 Value Proposition: 
Nick's unique strategy bridges the gap between data professionals and businesses, encouraging collaboration and understanding. By connecting data analytics with business strategy, he delivers real value and helps clients maximize their data. Nick boasts a successful track record of working with Fortune 100 companies in different industries, offering versatile and valuable expertise. His tailored solutions promote smooth communication, leading to efficient decision-making and data-driven success.

🌟 Impact & Achievements: 
Nick has empowered 20,000+ professionals by delivering training in data visualization and analytics best practices. His engaging presentations, as well as his revolutionary board games, have advanced the way professionals in the industry process and comprehend data. These board games, which bring complex concepts to life, have been key in fostering collaboration.

🤝 Call-to-Action: 
Unlock the power of data collaboration. Bridge the gap between data professionals and your business and maximize the potential of your data. Connect with Nick now and discover how he can help you achieve your goals.

📊 Dashboard Wireframe Kit: https://deliveringdataanalytics.com/product/dashboard-wireframe-kit/
📝 Dashboard Requirements Kit: https://deliveringdataanalytics.com/product/dashboard-requirements-kit/
💼 Workshops & Consulting Services: https://deliveringdataanalytics.com/services-consulting/
🏢 Corporate Training: https://deliveringdataanalytics.com/services-training/
💻 Practical Data Visualization Course: https://deliveringdataanalytics.com/practical-data-visualization-course/
🎓 Live Seminars: https://deliveringdataanalytics.com/creating-actionable-insights-with-business-intelligence-dashboards-live-training-workshop/

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💡 Nicholas Kelly

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The Battle

George Firican 💡

💡 Nicholas Kelly

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}George Firican 💡's LinkedIn Performance

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