What Is Data Literacy And Why Is It essential For Every Business?
Your organisation’s data literacy will improve your ability to achieve better results. Companies that fail to improve the data literacy of their employees are likely to fall behind.
They won’t be able to use data to their advantage as a business resource. This article will explain what data literacy is and why it’s important for every business. It also explains how to increase data literacy.
What’s Data Literacy?
Data literacy begins with the ability to read, write, and communicate data in context. Employees, not just data scientists need to be able to critically evaluate the data and find meaning in it, as well as gain actionable business insight. The best employees will be able to use data insights to achieve results.
It is crucial that everyone within your organization, not just the data analysts, has access to data. Your organization can make informed decisions when it is data-literate.
Users are also able to use the data to discover new insights and opportunities. Your business’s future depends on how you put data to work, not just what it collects.
Why Is Data Literacy Important For Every Business?
Everyone in an organization should be able to comprehend why data literacy is important. Employees need to be able to use data to impact their daily activities and big-picture decisions. It can be used in a way that helps employees achieve their goals, improve their work, and increase company performance.
Accessing the data can streamline your business operations and make them more efficient. Those who are familiar with the business will not have to wait for data scientists. This eliminates the bottleneck.
Data-literate employees will also be able to manage data properly, which will help reduce data breaches.
How Do You Promote And Start To Build Data Literacy?
As a strategic advisor for companies, I have been involved in the development of many data literacy programs and helped many organizations improve their data literacy. These six steps will help increase your data literacy within your organization.
1. Assess The Current Data Literacy Of Your Organization
Assess the data literacy level of your organization. Do your managers have the ability to suggest new initiatives that are supported by data? What percentage of people use data to make decisions today?
2. Identify Data Gaps And Fluent Speakers Of Data
Data analysts must be able to communicate clearly about data. However, you will also need “translators” that can help bridge the gap between business and data analysts. You should also identify communication barriers that prevent data from reaching its full potential.
3. Demonstrate Why Data Literacy Matters
People who know the “why” behind initiatives are more likely than others to support data literacy training. Make sure you explain why data literacy is so important for your organization’s success.
4. Access Data
Everyone must have access to, manipulate, analyze, and share data. This could involve locating technology, such as a management dashboard or data visualization, that will make it easier.
5. Start Small To Create A Data Literacy Program
Do not try to launch a data literacy program that is accessible to everyone at once. Start with one business unit at a time after you have assessed “missed opportunities.” You can use what you learned in the pilot program to adapt the program for the next round. Make your data literacy program engaging and fun. Data training doesn’t need to be boring.
6. Be An Example
Your organization’s leaders must prioritize data insight in their work. This will show other members of the organization the importance your team places on data for making decisions and supporting daily operations.
