How to build a winning data & analytics team
Through Biztory’s own experience building a leading analytics team across Europe - and our own work with hundreds of clients - we’ve identified six core steps that can help businesses overcome their data challenges and build successful analytics teams.
One step at a time, here we go!
Step 1: Define the team’s goals and objectives
The first step in building a winning analytics team is to define what you want the team to achieve. This should involve setting clear goals and objectives for the team, such as improving customer retention, optimising marketing spend, or increasing revenue.
By setting clear goals, you can ensure that the team is focused and aligned on what matters most to the organisation.
Step 2: Identify the skills and expertise you need
Once you’re clear on what you want your team to achieve, the next step is to identify the skills and expertise that your team will need to achieve its goals. This may include expertise in specific technologies or programming languages, as well as domain expertise in areas such as marketing, finance, or operations.
To gain expertise in those other areas, you might want to partner with cross-functional departments in your company.
Take a look at the org chart. Which departments are (or should be) using data to make better decisions? Go and have a chat with them to see if they can help your analytics team with their knowledge, insights and domain expertise.
Step 3: Get the C-Suite on board
No matter how good the people in your analytics team, if you want them to succeed for the long haul - you need commitment from your organisation’s senior leadership. Without it, it is estimated that about 70% of your data and IT projects will fail.
Another important note here is that there is a big difference between passive support and active support. A C-Suite that is simply nodding their heads at everything you say, but doesn't actively engage and support you with your project, won’t get you in that other 30%.
Step 4: Foster a culture of continuous learning
Like any other team in your organisation, analytics teams thrive under a company culture that supports continuous learning and triggers curiosity.
To trigger curiosity and continuous learning, you need to introduce a fail-fast, learn-fast attitude over perfection. Allow your team members to make mistakes, experiment to challenge conventions, and ask critical questions that can improve their and your work.
Celebrate wins. Celebrate losses. Equally. Give room to reflect on where things went south, so the team can learn from mistakes and become better and better over time.
Step 5: Invest in the right tools and technologies
Sure, you always have to prioritise talent over tools. But make no mistake about the latter… it’s an important driver for your data culture and analytics team as well.
You could hire the best people in the world, but if they hate the technology they’re working with, that won’t do you any good either. You need to invest in the right tools and technologies, so your team can work as efficiently as possible towards the goals you laid out in step 1.
Step 6: Promote collaboration and communication
Finally, a winning analytics team is one that works well together and communicates effectively. Driving a data culture company-wide, really means: company… wide.
So, encourage team members to collaborate and share ideas, and make sure that there are clear channels of communication within your analytics team and other teams in the organisation.
