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3 minute read
Nearly everything we do creates data.
From accepting cookies on a website, signing up for an online newsletter or even searching for something on Google.
With so much data being created, it would be silly not to know what to do with it and what we could achieve from it.
In this post, we'll explain why everyone should learn data skills and how to use these skills to improve how you and your organisation use data.
6 Reasons Why Everyone Should Learn Data Skills
As technological and future developments have been pushed forward by 10 years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, technology and data are the two main driving forces of our future decisions.
So, why should managers, leaders and the technical team be the only ones who know how to use this great tool to our advantage?
Here are 6 reasons why everyone should learn some data skills – even if it’s basic Excel knowledge or data visualisation tips…
1. Make better and highly informed decisions
Whether you’re in marketing, finance, programme or sales, decisions are made at every level and function of organisations. They may not always be big, life-changing decisions, but with the right knowledge and tools, you could make highly informed decisions through data that could benefit the organisation’s profits.
For each organisational function to get the most out of its budget, using data is the best way to make informed decisions that are not just based on opinions or small reasonings.
2. Communicate value, goals and insights to stakeholders or senior staff
Data is one of the best ways to back up proposals, decisions or new ideas. So, what better way to convey the value of your work to stakeholders or senior staff than to use clear and concise data to back up your decision and why it’s good for them?
If you can show stakeholders what’s in it for them through clear communication, research and data, you’re bound to get that budget approved and close the deal.
3. Opportunity to learn in-demand skills and knowledge
As organisations are more and more data-driven by the day, data scientist roles are in demand. But, if you’re not in a technical role, you might be thinking “Data is important, just not for me or my role.” While everyone doesn’t need to be a data scientist, that doesn’t mean having knowledge and a data skill set is not valuable.
Organisations want employees who can read, analyse and communicate data because this will help them gain insight into consumer behaviour, gain new customers with more targeted marketing and increase efficiency across the organisation.
If you have the opportunity to boost your data skills, we say take it with both hands!
Discover why data visualisation is important for your organisation.
4. Save time!
Have you ever been reliant on data analysts or engineers to help you solve a problem that involved data? Now you won’t have to rely on others. By understanding basic data analytics and meanings, you can save time and be independent in your own work when it comes to data.
If you ever come face-to-face with a problem or decision that involves data, you could make wrong or costly decisions that waste time if you don’t have the right knowledge and understanding of the data you’re dealing with.
Start off with basic data tasks, such as making dashboards, pulling data into a simple graph, or analysing a small number of data and concluding some insights you gained from it.
5. Greater opportunities for promotion or wider organisational recognition
While data scientists know the ins and outs of data, its benefits and how to analyse it, they may not have the knowledge of how data insights fit into daily business decisions.
Those who work in non-technical functions such as marketing or sales will have cross-functional expertise where they understand certain functions of the business and how simple data fits into their daily decisions.
But, using that simple data knowledge and turning it into analytical expertise will set you apart from other employees. You’ll almost be the one to go to between data scientists and other employees in various functions, making you invaluable when it comes to decision-making and cross-functional expertise.
Related: What is data ethics?
6. Understand business processes
Even if you don’t currently deal with data in your role, everyone should understand what data is being collected, what automatic processes are being performed with it and how that impacts their roles and the organisation.
Data is being collected everywhere, and your organisation is bound to be using it to gain insight. Whether that’s in the marketing team, analysing demographics to create more targeted campaigns, or in customer service to discover the ways to best serve your users.
Having this understanding will help you identify why organisations use data, the benefits of it and how it can be used to positively impact your role.
Now You Know How Important Data Skills are, Boost Yours Today
Whether you want to excel at data sharing, become a master at digital communications or understand forecasting and trends in data, we’ve got just the course for you. View our range of Analytics courses and book your place today to avoid missing out.
