Data strategy in 7 steps
A data strategy defines how an organisation will use data to achieve its objectives. It also describes all the data related activities that need to take place for this to be possible. Within some business sectors, e.g. Transport and Logistics, the case for having a data strategy is a strong […]
The public sector needs digital skills now
I attended the Public Sector Executive PSE365 Festival for Learning and Development to learn more about the need for digital skills in the public sector and how the shortfall is to be addressed. What I heard was worrying. — I can summarise both statements and associated discussion as follows: We […]
What do we mean by digital skills?
A great many organisations face an acute shortage of digital skills. But it is hard to know what skills are needed. For some, the most relevant might be relatively basic e.g. to navigate around a CRM system. For others, they may be more advanced (e.g. the development of an e-commerce […]
Dashboard tunnel vision
The return to work post lockdown presents us with a great opportunity to rethink how we want to work with information. This is because we are being released from many of the conformities that have guided our working lives so far. For example, our organisations are going to feel different […]
Data visualisation for digital transformation
Successful digital transformations depend on several factors e.g. alignment of the transformation objectives with strategic goals, leadership, and the quality of the work performed. This article focuses upon perhaps the most important – people in the business owning the transformation process. This means that the people responsible for the services […]
The value an energised team can bring
Across business and public service there are people developing information to help their organisation to move forward. Many however struggle to make any difference. For one particular Finance Team this was a source of great frustration. They wanted to be the ‘go to’ team for great information about the business […]
To get more sustainable – start measuring
As Earth Day arrives more businesses are working towards greater levels of sustainability than ever before. The Green Business Bureau (https://greenbusinessbureau.com) has some good advice for those businesses wanting to push on down the sustainability path. Set it as a proper strategic objective and implement it on that basis. E.g. […]
Data essentials for on-line business success
Over the last few days several leading companies with e-commerce sites have said that e-commerce is here to stay. The uptick in on-line sales that happened during lockdown is expected to remain. For on-line retailers this is both a blessing and a curse. It’s great to have operating costs that […]
It’s time to become data confident
The CBI Tech Tracker 2020 report (published Dec 2020) suggests that a divide is growing between businesses that are confident using data and those that are not. Those that are confident frequently use data to shape decisions, give feedback on products and services, and optimise operations. Unsurprisingly this gives them […]
Visualising data is more important than ever
There is little doubt that companies that have and know how to use data cope with adversity better than those that do not. A food outlet in Tamworth in the West Midlands discovered that, by using passenger counts for local buses and train services, traffic flow data, WiFi/Bluetooth detector counts […]