Why a data analyst matters to your business  

For small business owners, hiring a data analyst isn’t always top of the agenda. Data analysis is sometimes seen as a complicated topic best left to big businesses with mountains of products and customers. But every business and every sale generates data, inside which could be the key to unlocking more sales and customer loyalty. Hiring a data analyst is the first step to unlocking the potential in your sales data.

What is a data analyst?

A data analyst reviews and studies the data your business generates. This is generally done through data analysis software and tools, which can be complex tools using programming languages, right down to a simple database in Microsoft Excel. Data analysts look for patterns, trends and irregularities in your data that might help you better understand your business.

What data does my business generate?

Owning and running a business generates a lot of data. You have customer data: who is buying from you, their demographics (like their age, gender, or background) and their habits (do you serve a few regulars or many one-time buyers?). Then you have product data: what products are most popular, are your sales seasonal, what promotions and discounts work best. Every detail about every sale and every customer has the potential to teach you more about your business and how to better drive sales.

Responsibilities of a data analyst

The job of a data analyst is roughly the same, no matter what business or industry they work for. Common duties may include:

●       Extracting data from customer and/or sales records

●       Identifying and removing corrupted data

●       Analyzing the quality and meaning of data

●       Preparing reports on their analysis

●       Presenting findings to management and/or colleagues

●       Developing and maintaining records management policies and processes

●       Automating and increasing efficiency in data processes

●       Collecting data from customers through surveys and/or questionnaires

Key skills of a data analyst

While the duties above might seem complicated, data analysts don’t need advanced degrees to be effective. A few key skills and the desire to learn are more than enough for a quality data analyst. Some important skills include:

●       Ability to analyze, model and interpret data

●       Problem-solving skills

●       Time management

●       Ability to work to deadlines

●       Independent working

●       Communication skills

●       Report writing and presentation skills

●       Math skills

●       Proficiency in programming languages (e.g. SQL, Oracle, Python)

Where can I hire a data analyst?

With technology becoming a greater part of retail, and online sales systems collecting more detailed data all the time, data analysts are becoming a more valuable player in businesses everywhere. Register now to post your job and start hiring!