4 . Business Analytics Embedded in
EPM Methods
Business analy tics and Big Data are hot topics. The y are
here to stay because complexit y, uncer taint y, and volatilit y
are on the r ise. When some managers hear these ter ms,
the y react w ith t repidation and think, “I took a statistics
course in school and just wanted a passing g r ade and be
done w ith it!” Today, the need for analy tics may be the
only sustainable long-ter m competitive advantage. Why?
Because the t r aditional gener ic st r ateg ies, such as being
the lowest-cost supplier or prov iding product or customer
differentiation, are vulner able to ag ile competitors who
can quickly match a supplier’s pr ice or invade your cus-tomer base.