Commercial Analytics Excellence -> Step 4 : Develop a Sharing Strategy

The last step, and the most important step in commercial analytics excellence is to develop a sharing strategy. Why do all the work on procurement, alignment, and publishing if it doesn't get used?

Like any process in business, there is waste. There is always going to be data that is published that is not consumed by business leaders, lines of reports that are not fully read or understood. There are ways to mitigate this by developing a "sharing strategy". This includes the following:

1. Be multi-mode in how you deliver data and insights. This can be done through "inbox reporting" which is delivered via email to someone. It can be done in a regularly scheduled meeting where groups come together to review the data. It can be 1:1 meetings between and analyst and business leader. It can be in a large publication to multiple teams and departments. There is no one-size fits all approach here.
2. Ensure the data is understood. Data analysts have to realize their their internal clients aren't always buried in the data like they are. Developing a check and balance through regular engagement is important. This can be done through simple Q&A sessions, surveys to stakeholders, and also internal communications. If your organization starts to use new data to analyze performance, consider a roll-out education strategy to raise awareness and understanding of the insights it will provide.
3. Be client/customer focused - to a point. Every business leader will be slightly different on how they like to consume data and understand insights. Look to be flexible on how you share the data, but don't fall into the trap where you have too much different data being used across the organization. Keep in mind that there should be discipline in the KPIs being used, but a little flexibility on how the data is shared can go a long way.

The most effective analysts will have an end-to-end focus on data with a clear strategy for sharing data and insights. It's what takes a good analyst and makes them great. I will publish a full recap later this week!