The Strategic Value of Data

How Structured Data Drives Innovation and Accelerates AI  

Let's talk about data. No, don't roll your eyes just yet. I get it—data doesn't exactly make your pulse race. But here's the thing: If your business isn't taking data seriously, you're missing out on one of your most powerful assets.

In fact, Forrester's research has shown that data-driven businesses are growing 30% faster* than their competitors and are on track to capture trillions of dollars in new economic value over the next decade. 

Data is your business's secret weapon—no matter how big (or small) you are. It's the golden thread that connects everything from your customer insights to your marketing strategies to the big future everyone's talking about—AI. 

It's not about hoarding data (we've all got tons of it). It's about capturing it in a structured way so it can work for you. This is how data transforms from a bunch of numbers into something actionable—something that drives innovation and makes your business smarter.  

From "Nice to Have" to "Absolutely Essential" 

Data used to be a "nice to have." Something you'd collect if you had time, or maybe because everyone else was doing it. But that was before everything changed. Remember that little IDC stat? By 2020, the world hit a whopping 59 zettabytes of data created**, and that number's set to double by 2025. If you don't have a strategy for data, you're drowning in it. 

Businesses that got smart about data back then—those that used it not just to look backward but to look forward—started pulling ahead. In 2020, McKinsey reported that businesses that tap into data insights are 23 times more likely to outperform competitors***.  

Before you panic, It's not too late for the rest of us. The key to staying in the race is structured data. Why? Because structured data is the difference between having a cluttered attic of random stuff and having a neatly organized library where you can find the exact thing you need, exactly when you need it. 

What Is Structured Data (and Why Should You Care)? 

If the phrase "structured data" makes you want to take a nap, stick with me because this is important. Structured data is data that's organized in a way that machines—and people—can easily understand and use. Think of it like this: It's the difference between throwing all your receipts into a box versus filing them neatly by date and category. It's about organizing your data so it's searchable, sortable, and ready to help you make smarter decisions. 

Why does this matter? Because structured data is the first step in your AI journey. AI doesn't work if it's swimming in a sea of chaotic, unstructured data. AI needs clean, precise data to learn from, predict trends, and automate tasks. Without structured data, your AI dreams are going to stay just that—dreams. So, how do you go from data chaos to data clarity?  

Kim Helps You Harness the Power of Data 

If you're wondering, "What exactly does Kim do?" (Great question!) Let me walk you through it. 

At its core, Kim helps you capture structured data in a way that makes it not just useful but powerful. Here's how it works: 

1. Capturing Data from Documents 
   We all know businesses run on documents. Letters, forms, checklists, compliance records and contracts—it's all there. Traditionally, however, that data gets locked away in PDFs or MS Word files, making it hard to extract or reuse. Kim solves that problem by helping you capture key data points as you create these documents. You're essentially turning every document into a mini data goldmine, ready to be tapped into later. 
2. Structured Data for the Win 
   Kim doesn't just help you gather data—it makes sure that data is structured. Data can be collected via webforms that create the records, create one or multiple documents from those records, and use the data to populate other systems. This structured data becomes the foundation for powerful insights. It's neatly organized and can easily be plugged into your CRM, HR, or Work Management platform, to name a few. 
3. Reusing Data Across Systems 
   What's better than capturing data? Reusing it! Kim lets you take the data from one document and automatically populate it into other systems—whether it's Salesforce, WorkDay, or your ERP. That saves you (and your team) from endless manual data entry and keeps your systems in sync.  
4. AI Ready 
   And here's where things get really cool. Because Kim helps you capture structured data, you're setting the foundation for your future AI endeavors. Whether you want to predict customer behavior, streamline operations, or automate repetitive tasks, Kim is laying the groundwork. You're ready to start plugging that data into AI models that can analyze trends, flag risks, and even make recommendations. Your data is no longer just sitting there—it's working for you. 

Start Treating Data Like the Powerhouse It Is 

Data isn't going anywhere. It's only going to become more important as businesses look to innovate and grow in the years to come. Whether you're looking to build an AI strategy or stay competitive, structured data is your foundation. 

Think of your data like a garden. If you plant it right and tend to it carefully (with tools like Kim), it will grow and flourish, feeding your business with insights, opportunities, and efficiencies. Ignore it, and it becomes a mess—an overgrown jungle of potential that never gets realized. 

So, look at how your business is handling data right now. Are you capturing it in a way that's actually useful? Are you structuring it for reuse and future AI applications? If not, now's the time to get serious about it. 

Because the businesses that win tomorrow are the ones getting their data right today, and tools like Kim make it easier than ever to turn your data into a superpower. 

References 

*Insights-Driven Businesses Set The Pace For Global Growth | Forrester 

**IDC's Global DataSphere Forecast Shows Continued Steady Growth in the Creation and Consumption of Data | Business Wire 

***Five facts: How customer analytics boosts corporate performance | McKinsey