Data analysts make recommendations to improve business performance by providing relevant and up-to-date statistics and information for organisations.

Throughout this course, you will learn the technical skills and applied knowledge to understand the range of data structures, analytical tools and software development procedures in greater depth.,

Data analysis is essentially an online job and since the Pandemic, more companies are online than ever before. Every year online information for businesses is getting bigger which means that data analytics are in higher demand.

Data within a business will generate a demand for individuals who can establish, analyse and manage data to inform business decisions.

Knowing what skills are important to become a Business Analyst

Data analysts review the data to see patterns and trends to gain insights that inform businesses and organisations to make necessary changes for furthering their key goals. These recommendations can be various types of information for businesses to use the data in a practical method to implement changes based on those decisions. This can include data-driven insights, predicted patterns in business and interpretations, all of which are used for enhancing business practices. 

Is business data analytics a good career?

A career in business analytics is good for earning a high-living wage. Roles vary in the sector from market research analysts to top-paying jobs within publishing, private companies and enterprises.

Can data analysts work from home?

As a data analyst, you may find opportunities that allow you to work from anywhere (as long as you have access to the internet) using data and analytics software.

What skills do you need to be a Business Data Analyst?

Once you have achieved a level 3 diploma (or A-Level equivalent) you will then need to study for an undergraduate degree in Business. Lots of Business degrees specialise in various management areas including Business Analytics. As with other Business jobs, computer skills are a must-have and by using your excellent IT skills to use software to demonstrate this such as using the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) but with the ever-changing world of online technology there will be online data analysis software such as Google ads that will be part of your day-to-day life when gathering the data to maximise the businesses performance. Data comes in all forms, for example, graphic designs, rows of numbers, or even 3D shapes. Breaking down what the information infront of you is and being able to share it with others is a skill (helped today with the software that makes it look good) but it has to tell the correct information. Articulating the information clearly to a non-data analysis is vital. Therefore written, verbal and presentational skills have to be outstanding. Understand your subject thoroughly to make it accessible for others to understand what you want to demonstrate. Think about the pandemic times when Professor Whitty would ask for the next slide. Throughout that time, there were various versions of data that were important to share at different stages. There was never one chart or graph that represented different information, it had to show the population of the UK and the world in the best way to understand it.

Here are some examples of the important skills and experience to have as a Business Analyst:

• Analytical thinking and problem solving
• Oral and written communication skills
• Understanding of networks, databases and other technology
• Interpersonal and consultative skills
• Costs benefit analysis
• Knowledge of business structures

Click here to return to the Business Studies Diploma page.