You're starting a new job in analytics. What's the first skill you need to develop?

The skill to develop first in your new data analyst role will depend on the specific context of your job. However, I'd recommend an analyst in a new role to focus first on building a clear understanding of the business domain, understanding the industry, company goals, and the specific problems their data analysis will address.

Know your problem statements based on which collect data then through ETL get insights and visualize to achieve problem or objective statement

First step in applying analytics would be to read, organize and clean the data. Identify what types of data are available. Make a data definition table to list down the actual operational definitions of all the columns/titles. Then, look for any errors in existing data or missing data. Figure out ways to fill up the missing data fields by query or data cleaning techniques. Ensure data is stored safely in the right format for further analysis.

The first skill to develop in analytics is proficiency in data interpretation and analysis. This involves understanding data structures, statistical methods, and tools like Python or SQL. Additionally, honing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities is crucial for deriving actionable insights from data.

In new environment, understand what technologies are preferred, understand stakeholder needs, Business intelligence is a great tool, as is SQL. Excel is the center of the universe for analysis and reporting, as they say! Basically, understanding data and recognizing patterns and interpreting data trends are mandatory.

Starting a new role in analytics requires mastering essential tools like R or Python, alongside data visualization platforms such as Tableau or Power BI, and SQL for database querying. Once proficient, effective workload management is key. Prioritize tasks, break them into manageable parts, and set realistic goals to avoid burnout. Use time blocking, minimize distractions, and leverage task management tools like Trello or Asana for organization. Communication with colleagues ensures alignment, while seeking constant improvement through workflow evaluation and skill enhancement ensures long-term success in analytics.

Basic statistics is a mandatory skill for any data analytics role. Descriptive stats such as Mean, Median, Standard Deviation, IQR, Quartile are important to learn. Mastering graphical tools such as basic charts, histogram, box plots, scatter diagram, dot plots, pareto charts are equally important to identify any patterns / abnormalities in data. Finally inferential statistics help with make predictions and optimizations to achieve desired results.

The basic understanding of the Python programming language is crucial for: - Data cleaning using pandas library - Visualization through matplotlib & searborn. Moreover machine learning and AI does require python. So developing programming skills for data analyst is far more important.

Business knowledge is a cornerstone in your job in analytics. I believe that every business analyst must understand what the decision makers needs to answer. That's where you should start. I won't matter how beautiful visualisations are if those won't answer business questions.

+ Start with Storytelling: Focus on honing your data storytelling skills. Learn how to weave narratives around your data insights, highlighting the "why" behind the numbers and making your analysis relatable and engaging for your audience. There are many online resources and courses available on data storytelling techniques. + Practice Active Listening: Effective communication is a two-way street. Develop your active listening skills. Pay close attention to your audience's questions and concerns, and tailor your explanations accordingly. This demonstrates respect for their perspective and fosters a collaborative environment.

You should be proficient in mathematics and should have an analytical mindset! You should be adept in data analysis and should have an exceptional deductive skill! Additionally, you should have good programming skills and logical reasoning ability!