Insights
We are proud to be named a West Coast Regional Leader for 2024
Dotted lines to data equal despair
ARTICLE | November 08, 2020
Authored by RSM US LLP
“Whose Line Is It Anyway?” is a classic and timeless make-believe gameshow with improvisational artists taking turns with straight faces trying to connect the dots on the fly of multiple disparate characters and situations. Its catchphrase is “the show where everything is made up and the points don’t matter!” It’s a silly source of entertainment. It’s also unfortunately an operational fact for many organizations.
Any business leader that willing admits their company is stuck in the rut of relying on highly manual processes and outdated technologies, likely sees his or her organization as a reflection of “the show”. Everything is on the verge of being made up and the financial numbers are so old they don’t really matter. In this typical all-hands on deck existence, every department head is an improvisational artist doing his and/or her best to connect their dot with a straight face to the other disparate dots in the rest of the company. However, it’s no laughing matter when decision makers are basing data driven decisions on outdated and farcical information.
To move out of this conundrum, transformation of an organization requires the dots to be connected. The dots must be joined and coupled much like a pipeline to allow the data to flow in an efficient and timely manner and not be subject to a bucket brigade lifting and toting data from one department to another. This takes a careful and thoughtful process of understanding the current state of alignment of people, processes, and technologies within an organization. Next, the future state alignment must be defined that is most conducive to reaching organizational goals and business objectives. Completion of this transformation is the careful implementation of the future state environment along with the structure to maintain and secure it. Important pieces of physical infrastructure, such as a pipeline, are always monitored and managed. The information pipeline is no different.
Once the pipeline of transformation is in place, it’s time to turn on the spigot of innovation. Instead of time spent searching for data and cobbling together hodge-podge reports, information flows through the pipeline to its designated destination. The right information at the right time in the hands of the right person increases data value and in turn company value. It provides an organization greater flexibility to take advantage of business opportunities, improves internal and external communications, fosters smart risk taking, more easily circumvents disaster, and ultimately facilitates success for any entity.
So, whose line is it? It’s your line, and you have two choices. You can invest in a pipeline of connectivity, communication, and collaboration joining the dots that enable better and timelier decisions. The alternative is to continue to live in despair with a broken dotted line to silos of data where it feels like everything is made up and the points don’t matter.
Let's Talk!
Call us at +1 213.873.1700, email us at solutions@vasquezcpa.com or fill out the form below and we'll contact you to discuss your specific situation.
This article was written by Troy Rhodes and originally appeared on Nov 08, 2020.
2022 RSM US LLP. All rights reserved.
https://rsmus.com/insights/services/digital-transformation/dotted-lines-to-data-equal-despair.html
RSM US Alliance provides its members with access to resources of RSM US LLP. RSM US Alliance member firms are separate and independent businesses and legal entities that are responsible for their own acts and omissions, and each is separate and independent from RSM US LLP. RSM US LLP is the U.S. member firm of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax, and consulting firms. Members of RSM US Alliance have access to RSM International resources through RSM US LLP but are not member firms of RSM International. Visit rsmus.com/about us for more information regarding RSM US LLP and RSM International. The RSM logo is used under license by RSM US LLP. RSM US Alliance products and services are proprietary to RSM US LLP.
Vasquez & Company LLP is a proud member of the RSM US Alliance, a premier affiliation of independent accounting and consulting firms in the United States. RSM US Alliance provides our firm with access to resources of RSM US LLP, the leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market. RSM US LLP is a licensed CPA firm and the U.S. member of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms with more than 43,000 people in over 120 countries.
Our membership in RSM US Alliance has elevated our capabilities in the marketplace, helping to differentiate our firm from the competition while allowing us to maintain our independence and entrepreneurial culture. We have access to a valuable peer network of like-sized firms as well as a broad range of tools, expertise and technical resources.
For more information on how Vasquez & Company LLP can assist you, please call +1 213.873.1700.
Subscribe to receive important updates from our Insights and Resources.