Thanks to the abundance of data, organisations can now scrutinise their once instinctive decisions using concrete statistics. For example, a marketing team can gauge the impact of their campaign by measuring the rise in general spending. But without specific data, it’s difficult to determine whether the program is attracting its target audience.
The marketing team can assertively claim that they have observed a surge in sales and transactions following the launch of their campaign. Additionally, the data indicates that an increasing number of people prefer carrying out transactions digitally rather than in person. This implies that businesses which rely on data tend to thrive.
Despite the growing significance of data in today’s job market, several workers lack the expertise needed to gather, scrutinise, and interpret it competently. Data literacy – the capability to comprehend and employ data – is no longer restricted to data analysts; it has become a necessity for all staff. This article addresses the call for data literacy and suggests ways to equip employees with these requisite skills.
Data is Inescapable
Since workers encounter data from different sections of the organisation, it’s crucial for them to interpret this information independently, rather than relying on analysts to decode it for them. Such autonomy will enable them to remain adaptable and reactive.
Everyone in a company should be well-informed of how their managers and other leaders arrive at decisions, even those not directly involved with data. They should possess the attentiveness and comprehension to peruse a presentation that contains an abundance of data.
Significant Competencies in Data Literacy
To be considered data literate, employees must possess the following knowledge and skills:
Finding Relevant Information
Organisations use a diverse array of resources, such as news outlets, devices, and consumer actions, for data collection. Data literate workers are adept at recognising dependable sources of information and evaluating them effectively. They should have the ability to access the relevant report for their requirements using data analytics dashboards.
Evaluating Data
After gathering information, the subsequent step is to scrutinise it and arrive at conclusions. This skill is vital for data literacy. Team members can evaluate data using a variety of methods. According to a Harvard Business Review article, some of the most prevalent techniques for data analysis are:
Descriptive
– providing an account of what has happenedDiagnostic
– identifying the cause of a problem and offering a solutionPredictive
– making informed predictions about potential future occurrencesPrescriptive
– providing a plan of action guaranteed to yield the desired outcomes
Sharing and Discussing Data
As per an HBS Online article, data wrangling, data munging, and data cleaning refer to the process of transforming raw data into a more usable form. This can be achieved through various techniques, including tables, graphs, narratives, and videos. By doing so, organisations can develop a better understanding of their customer base and how they consume the goods and services provided.
Hence, it is crucial for employees to be capable of discussing data using a range of visual aids to bolster diverse business scenarios. For instance, if a team has developed a new product, they may want to demonstrate to superiors that there is a market for it. The efficacy of a presentation may be influenced by how effectively the data is communicated.
Data-literate personnel must also recognise the importance of upholding confidentiality when dealing with sensitive data. Hence, they should not attempt to present the data as something it is not.
Integrating Data-Driven Governance
Since data is a priceless commodity, it necessitates routine maintenance. An organisation’s “data governance” describes its complete set of policies and measures pertaining to data management. To acquire data literacy, one must be able to learn and adhere to data governance procedures mandated by law or one’s employer’s regulations.
Numerous enterprises have implemented data governance guidelines to guarantee the quality, security, and confidentiality of their data. Different categories of information could be subject to distinct sets of regulations. For instance, while customer records could be maintained indefinitely, emails may be kept for a period of 90 days.
Approaches to Enhance Data Literacy
Personnel expertise serves as the cornerstone of establishing data literacy. Implementing a data literacy initiative to educate employees about the value of data would be beneficial for organisations. If you are unsure where to begin, the following suggestions may come in handy:
- Assess the existing level of data literacy among your employees through an initial assessment.
- It’s crucial to note that certain employees may have been removed from the learning environment for a prolonged period and could have forgotten fundamental concepts such as algebra. Before delving into data analytics, these individuals may need to brush up on their foundational skills.
- It would be worthwhile to offer both classroom and e-learning options to personnel to acquire the requisite expertise. Alternatively, enlisting the services of a third-party provider could also be explored.
- Designate an individual or team to serve as the primary point of contact for personnel inquiries and equip them with the necessary resources to respond swiftly.
- Initiate by assigning basic assignments to individuals to determine their proficiencies, and gradually advance to more challenging assignments as they prove their proficiency. Encourage them to exercise their own judgement.
- Enable employees to express their concerns, and then address requests for training and development.
- It’s critical to communicate clearly to personnel that acquiring these skills will benefit both the company and their personal career growth.
The Capacity to Understand and Handle Data is Now Comparable to the Ability to Operate a Computer System in the Past.
Individuals of a certain age may remember having to learn computer skills that were not always taught in school. It may have been to meet the prerequisites for a specific profession or to advance in their desired career. Alternatively, it may have been to grasp the intricacies of the internet. Similar endeavours are being pursued today to foster data literacy.
Organisations had to either find individuals with the requisite data proficiency or offer training for current employees. Teaching personnel the proper handling of data may seem daunting, but it is imperative to initiate promptly, as having a data-literate staff will become progressively significant in the upcoming years.
