4. Business Analytics Embedded in
EPM Methods
Business analytics and Big Data are hot topics. They are
here to stay because complexity, uncertainty, and volatility
are on the rise. When some managers hear these terms,
they react with trepidation and think, “I took a statistics
course in school and just wanted a passing grade and be
done with it!” Today, the need for analytics may be the
only sustainable long-term competitive advantage. Why?
Because the traditional generic strategies, such as being
the lowest-cost supplier or providing product or customer
differentiation, are vulnerable to agile competitors who
can quickly match a supplier’s price or invade your customer
base.