
Data Inspired
Building an Organizational Culture of Inquiry for Lasting Transformation
Sebastian Wernicke(Author)
Georgetown University Press
Published on 2. June 2026
Book
Hardback
352 pages
978-1-64712-718-3 (ISBN)
Description
A roadmap for business leaders to unlock the full potential of data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence
Ninety-nine percent of businesses surveyed say that data and AI are a top priority-but two-thirds admit to feeling stuck. What most leaders miss is that to succeed at becoming a data-driven business requires developing a nuanced understanding of why data holds such transformative power, what a data-inspired culture looks like, and how to get there.
Data Inspired shows that the secret isn't to be more data-driven-it is to become data-inspired. This book reveals the crucial strategic distinction between using data to optimize existing operations and using them as a catalyst for deep transformation and innovation. Wernicke argues that success hinges less on technology and more on reshaping an organization's culture and decision-making habits. And with this book's proven principles, real-world examples, and comprehensive toolbox of methods for building a culture of evidence-based inquiry, readers will learn that success means far more than just adding more data to a business: it is about creating a thoroughly data-inspired organization with innovative work methods, new structures, and unmatched efficiency.
Data Inspired will help business leaders, managers, and data professionals move beyond incremental improvements to achieve lasting, powerful change.
Ninety-nine percent of businesses surveyed say that data and AI are a top priority-but two-thirds admit to feeling stuck. What most leaders miss is that to succeed at becoming a data-driven business requires developing a nuanced understanding of why data holds such transformative power, what a data-inspired culture looks like, and how to get there.
Data Inspired shows that the secret isn't to be more data-driven-it is to become data-inspired. This book reveals the crucial strategic distinction between using data to optimize existing operations and using them as a catalyst for deep transformation and innovation. Wernicke argues that success hinges less on technology and more on reshaping an organization's culture and decision-making habits. And with this book's proven principles, real-world examples, and comprehensive toolbox of methods for building a culture of evidence-based inquiry, readers will learn that success means far more than just adding more data to a business: it is about creating a thoroughly data-inspired organization with innovative work methods, new structures, and unmatched efficiency.
Data Inspired will help business leaders, managers, and data professionals move beyond incremental improvements to achieve lasting, powerful change.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Washington, DC
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
40 Halftones, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 230 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 31 mm
Weight
686 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-64712-718-3 (9781647127183)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Sebastian Wernicke
Data Inspired
Building an Organizational Culture of Inquiry for Lasting Transformation
E-Book
06/2026
Georgetown University Press
€28.99
Available for download
Person
Sebastian Wernicke, PhD, is a partner at Oxera Consulting, one of Europe's oldest economics and finance consultancies, where he leads the data science and artificial intelligence practice. For two decades, he has guided global organizations to achieve transformative results with data and AI. His three TED Talks on data and decision-making have been viewed by millions worldwide.
Content
Why This Book?
Part 1: The Data Revolution Has Only Just Begun
1. Data-Driven or Data-Frustrated?
2. Hype, Doubt, and Substance
Part 2: "Just Add Data" Won't Do the Trick
3. Three Myths about Data
4. The Data-Resistant Mind
5. Building the Cultural Foundation
Part 3: The Five Action Areas of Data-Inspired Success
6. Metrics: Steering without Surrendering Control
7. Complex Decisions: Better with Data but Not Easier
8. Decision Rules: Scaling Judgment
9. Machine Learning: Automating Insight
10. Artificial Intelligence: Teammate or Turning Point?
Part 4: Achieving Lasting Transformation
11. Purpose First, Data Second
12. The Four Fatal Traps
13. From Data Fatigue to Data Inspiration
14. The Data-Inspired Manifesto
Part 5: Toolbox
15. Refreshing Data Literacy Essentials
16. Designing Roles and Responsibilities
17. Crafting the Strategic Action Plan
18. Prioritizing Use Cases for Maximum Impact
19. Uncovering the Real Problem
20. Planning Cross-Functional Projects
Author's Note
Acknowledgments
Notes
Index
About the Author
Part 1: The Data Revolution Has Only Just Begun
1. Data-Driven or Data-Frustrated?
2. Hype, Doubt, and Substance
Part 2: "Just Add Data" Won't Do the Trick
3. Three Myths about Data
4. The Data-Resistant Mind
5. Building the Cultural Foundation
Part 3: The Five Action Areas of Data-Inspired Success
6. Metrics: Steering without Surrendering Control
7. Complex Decisions: Better with Data but Not Easier
8. Decision Rules: Scaling Judgment
9. Machine Learning: Automating Insight
10. Artificial Intelligence: Teammate or Turning Point?
Part 4: Achieving Lasting Transformation
11. Purpose First, Data Second
12. The Four Fatal Traps
13. From Data Fatigue to Data Inspiration
14. The Data-Inspired Manifesto
Part 5: Toolbox
15. Refreshing Data Literacy Essentials
16. Designing Roles and Responsibilities
17. Crafting the Strategic Action Plan
18. Prioritizing Use Cases for Maximum Impact
19. Uncovering the Real Problem
20. Planning Cross-Functional Projects
Author's Note
Acknowledgments
Notes
Index
About the Author