Data to Insights Training: Empowering the Team to Become a Data-Driven Organization

On September 4-5, 2024, the team behind the TALAS Sales Academy held the second batch of the "Data to Insights" training program at the Summit Hotel Greenhills. This immersive event brought together the National Key Accounts Group (NKAG) Channel Development Managers (CDMs), Trade Marketing Group (TMG) Channel and Category Associates, TMG Field Execution Managers, and the Sales Operations and Capability Group’s (SOCG). Sales Information (SI) Associates. These teams embarked on a two-day learning session organized by the TALAS Team, led by Director of Enterprise Analytics Mr. Petrus Carbonell, fondly referred to as Sir Pets.

The training began with Sir Pets introducing the concept of being a data-driven organization. He explained why organizations today need to leverage data to remain competitive and agile in an evolving business environment. The discussion covered foundational concepts, such as the difference between data, information, and insights, thus setting the stage for a more profound understanding of how raw data, when analyzed and interpreted correctly, can transform into valuable business insights.

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Sir Pets emphasized the critical importance of data storytelling, stressing that it’s not enough to merely present data; one must communicate insights in a compelling and structured manner. The goal is to ensure that data-driven decisions resonate with stakeholders and lead to actionable results. He also shared practical tips and techniques in data analysis such as identifying trends, finding correlations, and understanding variances, providing participants with a comprehensive toolkit to analyze data more effectively.

A unique and interactive part of the training was the Plot Pyramid exercise where participants delved into the elements of storytelling, which is not often associated with data analysis. This creative approach aimed to show how data insights can be framed within a narrative structure to create more engaging and memorable presentations. Participants were tasked with creating stories that followed the classic plot pyramid: exposition, rising movement, climax, falling action, and denouement. To reinforce this exercise, teams were divided into groups and given different challenges. Some groups read a children's book and identified where each part of the story fit within the plot pyramid. The other groups were given a book with pictures and were tasked to create an entirely new story based solely on the visuals. This engaging activity highlighted that storytelling, even when based on data, must have a clear structure. Insights become more digestible when framed within a well-thought-out narrative.

The "Data to Insights" training was an enriching experience for all participants. By blending data analysis techniques with storytelling principles, the participants learned how to transform data into insights that can drive decision-making and business strategy. One of the key takeaways was that being data-driven is not just about numbers; it's about crafting stories that help others see the significance of the data. Whether it's identifying trends or presenting business strategies, the participants left with a deeper understanding of how to communicate their findings in a way that is both impactful and actionable.

As NKAG continues to champion excellence through continuous learning and improvement, this training session reinforces the importance of adopting a data-driven mindset across all teams. The experience empowered participants to think beyond the data itself and focus on the bigger picture: turning raw data into compelling insights that lead to informed decisions and better business outcomes.