Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 27 | Page 37

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// This not only assists a business to adapt to market changes in a timelier manner, but also helps them achieve a competitive advantage in an economically challenging environment. Generating revenue Generating revenue is the obvious end goal of most enterprises. While data analytics has the potential to transform a business and produce a clearer revenue opportunity, to achieve this, companies will need to invest in a data analytics team. This team must not only understand the organisation’s objectives when it comes to data, but how to use data effectively to achieve the set goals. Furthermore, before analytical tools can be leveraged, this team must take responsibility for making sure that the quality of the data www.intelligentcio.com being analysed is examined and that the data is good and ready for analysis. Placing a focus on these areas will allow organisations to use data analytics for the purpose of generating more revenue (and increased revenue means increased value). As Jim Bergeson says, data will talk to you if you are willing to listen. And it’s true – as the real business value of data analytics can FEATURE: BUSINESS ANALYTICS only be seen if organisations are willing to listen, and truly take data on board as a key business resource. Any business, irrespective of size or industry, can benefit from data analytics. However, focus should be on understanding what data analytics can do for the business, based on its goals, and investing in the right team of people to ensure that the right data is analysed, to achieve the best possible results. n SOME OF THE UNEXPECTED BENEFITS OF DATA ANALYTICS INCLUDE LONG-TERM BENEFIT OF SHORT-TERM LOSSES. INTELLIGENTCIO 37