[kictanet] Fwd: How this happened (How Obama used Technology to stay ahead during the campaign)

Wed Nov 7 14:37:04 EAT 2012

+ 1 Ali,

Obama managed to precisely target each demographics with the right message at the right time using the right tools

In our case, however, our leaders and political parties would prefer not to do that – why? My guess would be that it will expose the fact they do not stand for much other than their tribal affiliations. Media (just like you experience with CNN, NBC, FOX etc) embracing such technologies could be a starting point, although I doubt that it will happen any time soon.

The scenario is true even in private sector. I remember 5 years ago, I tried to introduce the use of business intelligence tools such as data mining, six sigma, business process modeling, etc to companies and parastatals in Kenya and the response I got – “This is Kenya young man, we are making profits and therefore we do not need to do any of that”. There are enormous amounts of raw data within these organizations’ “data banks”, that if modern analytical techniques and tools were to be applied properly, could see the realization of efficiencies ranging from public sector service delivery to improving private sector organizational performance.

I keep hoping non-the-less J

Regards,

Edwin

From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+eonchari=lynxbits.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Ali Hussein
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 12:29 PM
To: Edwin
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: How this happened (How Obama used Technology to stay ahead during the campaign)

Listers

Obama continued to stay ahead and the closeness of this election (despite the electorate college votes big margin the battle ground states were won with the slightest of margins) because of his team's sleek use of technology - especially the use of Big Data.

The ability to crunch the numbers and glean nuggets of pure gold in terms of voter trends and getting out the voters to vote for him really is the biggest lesson here. In my opinion of course.

Are there lessons here for our politicians? How can we engage (through proper use of technology) with all Kenyans to ensure we vote in the right leaders? 

Or am I being an idealist and romantic and all this is just wishful thinking? 

Ali Hussein

CEO | 3mice interactive media Ltd

Principal | Telemedia Africa Ltd

+254 773/713 601113

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: Barack Obama <info at barackobama.com>
Date: November 7, 2012, 8:54:23 AM GMT+04:00
To: <info at alyhussein.com>
Subject: How this happened
Reply-To: info at barackobama.com

Friend -- 

I'm about to go speak to the crowd here in Chicago, but I wanted to thank you first.

I want you to know that this wasn't fate, and it wasn't an accident. You made this happen.

You organized yourselves block by block. You took ownership of this campaign five and ten dollars at a time. And when it wasn't easy, you pressed forward.

I will spend the rest of my presidency honoring your support, and doing what I can to finish what we started.

But I want you to take real pride, as I do, in how we got the chance in the first place.

Today is the clearest proof yet that, against the odds, ordinary Americans can overcome powerful interests.

There's a lot more work to do.

But for right now: Thank you.

Barack

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