Analytics is not a luxury; it’s a base-level requirement. When was the last time you jumped in your car without looking at the fuel level, temperature, clock, or even the directions on where to go? In today’s data-driven business environment, a dashboard is critical. How can you make decisions, even simple ones, without access to basic key data? You wouldn’t set out in your car without the dashboard, and you shouldn’t be doing it in your business either. Running out of gas can have a far more profound effect on your day. Step one of using Analytics is building your dashboard. Deciding what key elements need to have visualization. Analytics is demand based data, presented in an easy to digest format that will assure, or prompt you when making simple decisions. Ask yourself, what is it I need to see every day, every week, every month. What should my dashboard look like based on my roles and responsibilities. Step two is using analytics to discover new things, not just reinforce beliefs. This is where data mining and creative thinking turn over thousands of data nuggets to allow you a fresh perspective on your business. It’s not about changing what you do, as much as capitalizing on everything you have done and the data that you have accumulated. Mining your data with advanced analytics opens up a literal floodgate of opportunities. Your job is to think about what you would really like to know, learn, and adjust.
John Andersen Equipment Industry Consultant
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