Some FISD members recently read Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries by Safi Bahcall. Bahcall holds a PhD in physics and helmed his own publicly traded biotech company for many years – naturally he brings a unique perspective to the topic of innovation at scale. Below is a summary of some of the book’s most important takeaways for FISD members, according to FISD Reads group leader Hope “Hope-rah” Wilkes.

Some FISD members recently read Leap: How to Thrive in a World Where Everything Can Be Copied by Howard Yu. Yu holds a PhD from Harvard Business School. He serves as a LEGO professor of management and innovation at the International Institute for Management Development where he directs the university’s Advanced Management Program for executives. He’s provided training to top companies such as Maersk, Electrolux, Mars, and Daimler. Below is a summary of some of the book’s most important takeaways for FISD members, according to FISD Reads group leader Hope “Hope-rah” Wilkes. more

Some FISD members recently read Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts by Annie Duke. Duke is a professional poker player who succeeds because she makes rational, coolheaded decisions at the card table. Below is a summary of some of the book’s most important takeaways for FISD members, according to FISD Reads group leader Hope “Hope-rah” Wilkes. more

Some FISD members recently read Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility by Patty McCord. Prior to writing the book, McCord served as Chief Talent Officer at Netflix where she was co-creator of the famed Netflix Culture Deck. Below are some of the book’s most important takeaways, according to FISD Reads group leader Hope “Hope-rah” Wilkes.

In case you are not aware, the Data Licensing Specialist exam (DLS) is a comprehensive, industry-wide exam designed to test in the broadest sense every facet of data licensing across the industry. I mention this because it is incredibly important that anyone planning to sit the exam understand that it is “industry-wide”. I am aware of people with decades in the industry who failed it first time because their experience wasn’t as wide as they felt it was. It’s very important that anyone looking to sit the exam fully understand and appreciate that if you haven’t worked both sell-side and buy-side; had to deal with exchanges, indices, fixings & benchmarks, ratings, platform providers; had exposure to data governance scenarios end-to-end, licensing models, “what if” scenario analysis on data flows across the enterprise etc. well then you might not pass. The exam has a very high pass mark and the questions are tough for a reason; this exam is an ... more

One of the most common questions I get from candidates for the FISD FIA is, "what study materials are available?" In order to keep the exam fair and true to its purpose, FISD has walled itself from training. We want qualified FIAs to have learned the syllabus material well enough to apply it, not just to memorize test answers. So, we rely on third-party trainers to help candidates acquire and reinforce the knowledge they need to succeed on the exam and in their jobs. While this has proved a good solution for many test takers, not everyone has the budget for formal training or the need. Some of you come to the FISD FIA with decades of industry experience and want only a little review before diving into the exam, not structured training. Until now, FISD has been empty-handed in the face of requests for study material that's short of a full course but still imparts important information. No longer! Enter the 416-slide digital flashcard deck created by a dedicated FISD member. A ...

Maybe it’s been a few years since you last took a test. Maybe a lot is riding on your result. Whatever the reason, you’re nervous to attempt the FISD FIA. Before you reschedule fora later date, check out these facts about the exam.

In addition to being the first credential specific to the market and reference data industry, the FISD FIA was the first exam created by FISD. We made the exam to meet the financial information industry’s need for a standardized, recognized baseline of knowledge for practitioners and their colleagues. Think about your own experience and educational background — did you know from the start that you’d wind up in the position you’re in today? What about your colleagues? While we don’t have the power to remake the education system so tomorrow’s students can prepare for a market/reference data career path before graduation or the power to save you from those sometimes strange first, second, or even third jobs you endured before you found your calling in the financial information industry, we do have the power to make sure you have the expertise to succeed now that you’re here. That’s where the FISD FIA comes in. more