Big data is on the tip of everyone's tongue. Everyone understands its power and importance, but many fail to grasp the actionable steps and resources required to utilize it effectively. This book fills the knowledge gap by showing how major companies are using big data every day. From technology, media, and retail to sport teams, government agencies, and financial institutions, learn the actual strategies and processes being used to learn about customers, improve manufacturing, spur innovation, improve safety, and so much more. Organized for easy dip-in navigation, each chapter follows the same structure to give you the information you need quickly. For each company profiled, learn what data was used, what problem it solved, and the processes put in place to make it practical, as well as the technical details, challenges, and lessons learned from each unique scenario. ? Learn how predictive analytics helps Amazon, Target, John Deere, and Apple understand their customers ? Discover how big data is behind the success of Walmart, LinkedIn, Microsoft, and more ? Learn how big data is changing medicine, law enforcement, hospitality, fashion, science, and banking