Data analytics is a marathon

Data Analytics Luigi Salmoiraghi Sales Marketing Action Manager

Data analytics is like a marathon. Have you ever trained for a marathon or any shorter distance? Yes, I had.

It’s passion, dedication, effort, discipline and … planning. 

It requires much planning to prepare your training plan, how many times you should hit the road or the gym, what you have to eat or not to eat, and the perfect calendar schedule. 

I often view data analytics through the same lens.

But the data “finish line” looks different. 

There were no cheering crowds, no medals, just the sweet reward of business value from your data

Insights that optimize processes solve customer problems and drive results. 

This isn’t a one-off sprint; it’s a cycle, mirroring the marathoner returning to the starting line year after year.

And just like in a race, your organization needs to hit critical milestones in this analytics marathon:

1. Data Collection (99%)

It’s everywhere, flowing from your operations. Some data arrives automatically, while others require strategic capture to answer critical questions.

2. Data Preparation (80%)

Before diving in, your data needs cleaning, combining, and formatting. Dirty, inconsistent data makes insights muddy.

3. Data Visualization (70%) 

Turn data into digestible reports and dashboards. Share them across the organization – knowledge is power!

THE LAST MILE

4. Data Analysis (40%)

Go beyond the surface. Explore, discover, and unlock hidden gems that fuel more intelligent business decisions.

5. Insight Communication (15%)

Data stories ignite Action. Use engaging narratives and visuals to connect with your audience and translate insights into impact.

6. Take Action (5%)

Which insights are worth pursuing? Test, implement, and measure the results. Remember, learning is continuous.

The Final Lap: Where Most Stumble

Have you noticed the percentages I put in brackets for every step? According to my experience and the literature we may find on the web, they represent rough estimates for how many companies reach each milestone in the data analytics marathon. 

Today, we can state that 99% of companies are collecting or accessing their data, even if they don’t know it. A high percentage of these organizations also regularly prepare reports and visualize their data.

However, like in an actual marathon, there’s a significant drop off at the last mile in the race, where analytics teams perform analysis, share their insights and then implement changes to optimize the business. 

Most companies have no problems with the start of the data analytics marathon. On the contrary, almost every company likes having data analytics to improve different business areas. 

They start strong, but they never cross the finish line.

But many of them need to complete the entire race. They’re more to bail and start a new race than see the marathon as a whole through to the end. As a result, they are constantly running but never finishing anything.

But the last mile sees a dramatic drop-off. Analyzing, sharing insights, and taking action are what companies delay. 

Don’t be that company. Run the entire data analytics marathon. Reap the rewards. Let the data guide you to a winning performance.

Contact me if you want to better understand the data journey.

Data analytics is like a marathon. Have you ever trained for a marathon or any shorter distance? Yes, I had.

It’s passion, dedication, effort, discipline and … planning. 

It requires much planning to prepare your training plan, how many times you should hit the road or the gym, what you have to eat or not to eat, and the perfect calendar schedule. 

I often view data analytics through the same lens.

But the data “finish line” looks different. 

There were no cheering crowds, no medals, just the sweet reward of business value from your data

Insights that optimize processes solve customer problems and drive results. 

This isn’t a one-off sprint; it’s a cycle, mirroring the marathoner returning to the starting line year after year.

And just like in a race, your organization needs to hit critical milestones in this analytics marathon:

1. Data Collection (99%)

It’s everywhere, flowing from your operations. Some data arrives automatically, while others require strategic capture to answer critical questions.

2. Data Preparation (80%)

Before diving in, your data needs cleaning, combining, and formatting. Dirty, inconsistent data makes insights muddy.

3. Data Visualization (70%) 

Turn data into digestible reports and dashboards. Share them across the organization – knowledge is power!

THE LAST MILE

4. Data Analysis (40%)

Go beyond the surface. Explore, discover, and unlock hidden gems that fuel more intelligent business decisions.

5. Insight Communication (15%)

Data stories ignite Action. Use engaging narratives and visuals to connect with your audience and translate insights into impact.

6. Take Action (5%)

Which insights are worth pursuing? Test, implement, and measure the results. Remember, learning is continuous.

The Final Lap: Where Most Stumble

Have you noticed the percentages I put in brackets for every step? According to my experience and the literature we may find on the web, they represent rough estimates for how many companies reach each milestone in the data analytics marathon. 

Today, we can state that 99% of companies are collecting or accessing their data, even if they don’t know it. A high percentage of these organizations also regularly prepare reports and visualize their data.

However, like in an actual marathon, there’s a significant drop off at the last mile in the race, where analytics teams perform analysis, share their insights and then implement changes to optimize the business. 

Most companies have no problems with the start of the data analytics marathon. On the contrary, almost every company likes having data analytics to improve different business areas. 

They start strong, but they never cross the finish line.

But many of them need to complete the entire race. They’re more to bail and start a new race than see the marathon as a whole through to the end. As a result, they are constantly running but never finishing anything.

But the last mile sees a dramatic drop-off. Analyzing, sharing insights, and taking action are what companies delay. 

Don’t be that company. Run the entire data analytics marathon. Reap the rewards. Let the data guide you to a winning performance.

Contact me if you want to better understand the data journey.

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Luigi Salmoiraghi

Boost your European growth journey. Senior B2B manager. Expertise in the IT sector. I help businesses navigate the post-Brexit landscape with insights on channels, legal, cultural diversity, marketing and sales.

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