Business Intelligence

Power BI has been central to my career for many years now.? Since founding Collectiv, I’ve focused on implementing Power BI solutions across a diverse number of industries, meaning a lot of time spent learning how important data can be . Data can dramatically affect people and businesses, and fundamentally change value propositions in a world that is embracing automation,? AI, and advanced business intelligence.?

Power BI’s powerful toolset, used to retrieve, analyze, and transform internal data into insights, has taught me many technical and professional skills, but it’s also helped me gained a new perspective on countless aspects of life and work. I thought I’d share some of the most valuable lessons I’ve taken away from my experience .?

Nothing is insignificant.?

Power BI relies on data pulled from internal sources, but these days the problem is more often having too much information instead of not enough. So how do you determine which data is important when there’s a positive avalanche of data to consider? Each individual data point represents something and deserves consideration – so without due consideration, nothing should ever be thrown out right off the bat. Sometimes, seemingly random data can be your key to critical, game-changing insights . ?

Just because some data may not be relevant now does not mean it won’t be relevant in the future. The more data you have, the more information you can pull. Even if it seems extraneous, elements that seem to be irrelevant to the current project can be used to establish benchmarks, baselines, and shape company goals, building a more cohesive picture of the data. Moreover, consider cause and effect relationships between data sets -any decision made causes a ripple effect, and a crucial part of Business Intelligence work is to determine the power and impact of that ripple. The more supporting data available, the greater understanding of cause and effect we’ll have. Sometimes, those ripples have branched out to impact data sets that I would have never expected - and if seemingly insignificant data wasn’t considered, these are relationships that would have never been found.??

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Everyone views things differently.?

Even with great insights, the key to a successful project is often presenting those insights effectively.? Sometimes, the patterns in the data and insights that I view may be totally different than what the client views – so it’s crucial to present the data in a way that works for them. This takes understanding each other on a more personal level. Everyone must have at least a basic ability to communicate and interpret data conversations. This is why we also teach basic data literacy. If only a handful of people understands what’s being said through data, your data and analytics investments will offer limited business value. As an added bonus, presenting the information differently can also help me to gain a more nuanced understanding of the whole situation. To become successful in any field takes dedicated practice and valuable experience. I view each interaction with clients as a chance to improve my skills while also helping their business; a mutually beneficial relationship because client success is shared; when you can help someone in your team gain a stronger understanding, you both win .??

Part of forming a relationship with clients is also helping teach the business how to effectively use Power BI. Sometimes this can be challenging, especially when the client has limited knowledge of the technology involved. Think about school and the process of learning – and how everyone learns in their own unique way. There are a few different types of learners according to the VARK model ,? each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and individual needs. And we don’t stop learning at school; our style of education also reaches deep into the business world. Obviously, visualizations in Power BI are more effective for visual learners. But not everyone is a visual learner, and everyone’s style is unique. Accounting for different educations, experiences, and motivations is critical to effectively communicating insights, and just for simply connecting with the people who matter.?

People are the true power.?

As much as Business Intelligence work relies on technology and programmed solutions, it’s all about working with other people at the end of the day. Although businesses may be seen by the law as their own entities, there is nothing more rewarding than helping someone else towards professional success, and experiencing the positive impact organized BI can have on their enterprise.?

Maintaining control and power within a business is a constant issue in today’s environment. The economic atmosphere is highly competitive, and everyone is taught to work their way up the power totem pole. But it’s not about the mindless pursuit of power – and it’s definitely not about lording it over the people you manage. Being someone’s boss doesn’t mean that I’m in any way better than them – it’s the foundation of a two-way relationship where the basic building block is mutual respect . There is no way I would be where I am today without the incredible people that I’ve hired along the way. Those people have brought countless skills and experiences that provide a unique perspective, picking up on critical insights that no one else could have. I see the technology that we all use as keys to building a better world – for the people who live in it . Technology, and Business Intelligence overall, is at its core nothing more than a set of very complex tools. And no matter how good your tool is, without the right specialist to wield it, all you’ve got is a bunch of information.?

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