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The Rise of the Chief Data Officer (CDO)

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The Rise of the Chief Data Officer (CDO)

The Rise of the Chief Data Officer (CDO)

Data has taken on a central role in our daily lives, permeating nearly every activity in the business and public sectors. It’s now considered an essential piece of the puzzle for any serious organization, enabling everything from game-changing insights to the birth of entire new technologies or business models.

In fact, data is so important nowadays that some experts are saying that it’s the most valuable resource in the modern economy, even going as far as describing data as the “new oil”. While not everyone agrees with this kind of hyperbole, it’s fair to say that how organizations approach data will be a major determining factor for future growth and success – and thus, having someone to make the most of data is crucial.

To guide these kinds of decisions, many organizations are making a structural change to their C-suite: the addition of a Chief Data Officer (CDO).

The Changing C-Suite

The set of executives that reports to the modern CEO is constantly evolving, and over the last couple of decades we’ve seen the implementation of other tech-focused positions such as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

The CDO is the newest addition to the mix, and it’s a job that’s responsible for enterprise wide governance and utilization of information as an asset. This includes oversight over data processing, analysis, data mining, information trading, and other means.

Today’s infographic comes from Raconteur, and it breaks down organizational perspectives on the role of the CDO, along with how execs in this fast-evolving position are allocating their time to achieve their mandates.

The CDO Mandate

Approximately 90% of large global organizations will have a CDO by 2019, and the general mandate for most CDOs will be as follows:

Data Integrator:
Raw internal data exploration, diagnostic analytics, and value-added data quality and integration

Business Optimizer:
External context and benchmarking, cost-reduction analysis, and business-driven growth opportunities

Market Innovator:
Data monetization, cognitive trend analysis, and innovative business models

Meanwhile, Gartner breaks it down in a similar way, suggesting that CDOs spend 45% of their time focused on value creation or revenue generation, 27% on risk mitigation, and 28% on cost savings and efficiency.

Who Makes a Good CDO?

As with any new type of role, there are always questions about how to get someone that is the right fit.

Here is the background of successful CDOs thus far, according to NewVantage Partners:

BackgroundPercentage of Successful CDOs
External change agent34%
Company veteran32%
Data scientist15%
Results-driving line executive13%
Technology executive8%

Like the constantly evolving landscape of data itself, the role of CDO will keep changing in the future as more organizations search for new ways to make the most of this precious resource.

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Mapped: Internet Download Speeds by Region

North America and East Asia have the speediest internet.

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Map illustrating median download speeds in each global region.

Mapped: Internet Download Speeds by Region

This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

In today’s fast-paced world, internet speed isn’t just a convenience—it’s the driving force behind how we work, play, and connect.

In this map, we illustrate median download speeds in each global region, based on data from the World Bank’s Digital Progress and Trends Report 2023.

North America and East Asia Have the Speediest Internet

According to the World Bank, download speeds in high-income countries increased significantly between 2019 and 2023, while speeds in lower-income countries stagnated.

As of 2022, North America and East Asia have the speediest internet.

RegionMedian mobile download speed (Mb/sec)Median fixed broadband download speed (Mb/sec)
East Asia & Pacific90171
Europe & Central Asia4485
Latin America & the Caribbean2674
Middle East & North Africa3636
North America83193
South Asia2743
Sub-Saharan Africa1615

This difference in broadband speeds can mainly be attributed to investment.

In 2020, nearly 90% of global telecommunication investment came from East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, and North America. These regions not only concentrate the highest-income population but also the top technology hubs.

Meanwhile, low- and middle-income regions such as Latin America and the Caribbean, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for less than 10% of total investment.

Most of the investment is directed towards fiber optic and 5G mobile networks. According to the mobile industry association GSMA, mobile operators alone are projected to invest more than $600 billion between 2022 and 2025, with 85% of the total allocated for 5G.

In 2023, broadband speeds in high-income countries were 10x faster for fixed connections, and 5x faster for mobile connections compared to those in low-income countries.

Fixed broadband connections, which provide high-speed internet to residences or businesses, reached 38% of the population in high-income countries. In comparison, fixed broadband penetration was only 4% of the population in lower-middle-income countries and almost zero in low-income countries.

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