Schneider Electric's Gustavo Canton on optimizing human potential with AI and automation

Joining Cindi today is Gustavo Canton, VP of People Analytics at Schneider Electric. Gustavo has been with Schneider Electric for nearly three years, where he’s been a change agent driving innovation across Schneider’s growing data initiatives. In today's episode, Cindi and Gustavo discuss using automation to augment (not replace) humans, rebranding HR, scaling pandemic adaptation, the impact of staff well-being on performance, intuiting what customers really need, and team-building. Key Takeaways: People aren't machines (and vice versa). Organize the structure so people are doing the work that only humans can do, and allow algorithms to take care of repetitive, mundane, report-driven tasks. Monitor employee well-being and the impact on performance. We now have the technology to monitor and adjust the variables -- such as workplace air quality -- that contribute to (or detract from) staff well-being and overall performance. Give the customer what they need (even if they don't know what that is). Only by initiating clear communication and establishing trust with our clients can we best understand and serve their needs -- because they're not always going to know what those needs are. Leadership at all levels. No matter your role in an organization, you can have an impact. A graduate student made the case to Sam’s Club’s CFO on why they should have fuel stations, based on data. More About Gustavo: Nearing his third year at Schneider Electric, Gustavo Canton is the change agent responsible for developing and maturing the company's Global People Analytics and Metrics function. He also co-leads people analytics and data initiatives that sit across the talent lifecycle to help the company improve the way it works and ensure that HR is maximizing the value of data, predicting talent needs, and driving actionable insights. -- The Data Chief is presented by our friends at ThoughtSpot. Searching through your company’s data for insights doesn’t have to be complicated. With ThoughtSpot, anyone in your organization can easily answer their own data questions, find the facts, and make better, faster decisions. Learn more at thoughtspot.com.  --  For full show notes and more, go to thedatachief.com.