Building your ‘Avengers’ team to leverage data analytics

Training and upskilling considerations

Building your ‘Avengers’ team that can meet data analytics’s challenges head-on now requires a subtle mix of solutions. Certainly, upskilling and training employees is critical. Business is becoming increasingly digital, and employees not only need to master new technologies but also understand the impact on how it can transform business operations, including how to identify the risks and opportunities it presents. However, as companies find it increasingly difficult to keep up with the fast pace of technological change and solutions on offer, forming partnerships with data analytical solution experts can not only help boil down software choices to an appropriate shortlist, but identify data analytical knowledge gaps that can be used to create specific technology training and development programmes.

Navigating the complexities

While training can get you so far, the arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) solutions brings additional complexity, which requires the need for new skills currently in short supply. Hiring or bringing technological experts on board to manage the integration of complex and evolving AI and ML solutions is increasingly required. Technology experts can help drive transformational change forward, while at the same time acting as mentors to team members and help support key employees across the business. Having team leaders who can follow and understand an evolving technology landscape is essential. This ensures that data analytical solutions employed are fresh and remain fit for purpose.

Encourage collaboration

While the complexities of technology often require a mix of internal and external skills, there must be a level of collaboration to ensure a silo approach is discouraged. Involving technological experts who cannot communicate in an easy, relatable manner how to employ tools or explain the key risks and benefits is likely to result in data analytical solutions becoming ineffective and losing impact. Worst-case scenario, employees begin to see solutions as harmful disruptors to working patterns. It’s essential, therefore, to ensure that communication between internal and external players is considered at the outset so that investments are maximised and added value benefits enjoyed.

It is also critical to put employees who use such technology firmly in the driving seat. If there is a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities among users, they can specify their needs coherently. This then gives the technology team the correct information and confidence to programme and build tools that respond fully to the business needs identified. Innovation only becomes meaningful when serving a specific business objective, augmenting teams’ efforts.

A true ‘Avengers’ team is not only comprised of super-skilled technology experts, but also team members who can work hand in hand with key users to leverage data analytics solutions effectively. As technology progresses, it’s about working together to build trust in solutions so they are elevated from ordinary to extraordinary.