Data has invaded sport. You’ve seen it from Moneyball to football (both “footballs”). But, you’ve probably not heard the player’s perspective on data. And the player has an awful lot at stake. Imagine, on your first day of training camp, being tossed a 4-inch thick playbook and a ticking clock. You have only a few weeks to learn and to convert data into action with impact. For a pro player perspective, we caught up with Michael Sean Batiste, a 14-year IT veteran and a retired NFL athlete who was a member of the Super Bowl XXX World Champion Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.
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Today’s interviewee is Michael Sean Batiste, Co-Founder of Myrmidon Holdings Corporation, which was established in March 2011. He is responsible for both administrative and trading responsibilities.
He has certifications in the Information Technology Industry for Cisco products including a CCNP and CCIP and has experience in multiple Operating Systems. Michael has been in the IT field for the past 14 years and utilizes his technical skills to assist with developing a system for trading currency. Combined with his Super Bowl winning football background, we thought this could prove an interesting intersection. Enjoy the interview, and let us know what you think, here at Markets For Good.
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Q: When you first saw an NFL playbook, what thought occurred to you and how did you find a way to quickly assimilate all of that data?
A: It’s not easy to imagine the complexity of an NFL playbook. That’s not open data. Nevertheless, the key is to find points of reference. Taken as a whole, any large data set can seem pretty impenetrable, but there’s always a way to relate pieces of it to what you already know then begin to build your own frame for understanding.
Q: As a technologist, you can understand users’ utter confusion when it comes to options and uses for tech tools. We’re concerned mostly with the underlying infrastructure for data and technology. What would make it easier for people and organizations to navigate this space?
A: Solid infrastructures are the key to handling dynamic environments. Take a software upgrade, for example. If you don’t have a solid foundation and you try to upgrade even within the same software suite, you’re destined for an unstable system. You should apply similar thought to your overall business. The best software in the world won’t mean much if the underlying business model isn’t sound.
Q: In addition to finding points of reference, are there any other cues you can provide with respect to data management, learning… innovation?
A: Goal setting is key with learning new technology, data management and overall success. It has been said over and again, but it is true. I think one of the simplest ideas often overlooked in goal-setting is how do you get there? If you parse out the steps you believe will get you to the finish line or end zone – and consider those as goals, too – then the overall goal is much more likely to be achieved. Also, not fretting the inevitable missteps is something to be mindful of in that process.
Create the steps or milestones and check them off. If you can reference this series of steps then you can determine whether or when the goal is within grasp and achievable. This method holds true in all areas.
Football is an expert user of Science and the Scientific Method …mixing eight to fourteen play scoring drives with runs, passes and team execution. This is how you win the GAME….
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Many thanks Michael for you time, it was a pleasure to get your thoughts, and we look forward to hearing from you again. If you have any questions for Michael, please let us know at Markets For Good.