We are living in the prime of the digital era, where the Internet of Things and Big Data play a huge role in every business strategy. In fact, according to a recent study conducted by the McKinsey Global Institute, companies are on the constant lookout for managerial talent, which can help them decipher the large amounts of data available to them.
The lack of such talent is known as one of the most pressing challenges in today’s times. The report further went on to state that in 2018, the requirement of data analysts rose to 4-5 million.
By using big data analytics effectively, businesses are capable of making informed decisions and improve their operational efficiency in multiple ways.
However, without cutting edge technology and the latest AI advancements, big data has close to no value. This is where data science, which is a blend of various tools, algorithms and machine learning principles that focus on deriving patterns from raw data, plays an important role.
Today, multiple organisations and institutions are understanding the value or data science as it’s the key to unlocking the power of data.
In this article, we will go over the importance of data science and how companies can use it effectively to take their business to the next level.
The Benefits of Data Science
When it comes to the cut-throat competition present in today’s business landscape, consumer norms have changed drastically, which has consequently resulted in the escalation of expectations. Hence, to rise above the competition, businesses need to use their most powerful tool, i.e., data. Mentioned below are some of the most compelling benefits of data science that can help you get a clear understanding of why employing data science experts is crucial.
1. Focus on customer success
With tons of unstructured data available to businesses, valuable insights and information are often difficult to derive without the right talent. For example, most companies determine their marketing strategies and marketing by relying on audience performance. However, more often than not, those attributes are restricted as companies’ definition of customer success is usually based on assumptions.
On the other hand, by having the ability to derive actionable insights and finding the accurate attributes can be accomplished with the power of big data science methods and technologies. These insights can then be put to use and the outcome will surely be more desirable.
2. Advancements In The Agriculture Sector
When we think of big data, the agricultural sector is not something that comes to mind. However, with the help of data science methods and technologies, this sector reaps multiple benefits. For example, farmers can determine the exact amount of fertilizer, water, and other essentials needed to ensure their crop grows in the best manner using data science.
Moreover, farmers can further use data science to determine the right amount of seeds they need to grow in order to get maximum benefits, even before they start growing the crop. Lastly, arguable one of the biggest benefits farmers get by making use of data science is the ability to interpret that information to understand the weather and how it will affect their harvest’s quality. Based on this insight, they can take precautionary measures before any damage is done to the crops.
3. Revolutionise the education sector
Many educational institutions have already started using data science methods and technologies, especially in their admission process. For example, data science is being used to screen applicants and evaluate their performance based on their digital footprint. Moreover, some universities also deploy these methodologies in their marketing strategies with an aim to attract a large number of eligible students.
Lastly, by making use of data science, educational institutions are able to decrease the dropout rate and increase the enrollment ratio.
How Companies Can Use Data Science To Accelerate Their Business
1. Business intelligence for making smarter decisions
The introduction of data has forced businesses to move on from the descriptive and static manner of making decisions. Now, they’ve started incorporating data science to gain meaningful insights, analyse information at a large scale, and then make informed decisions. Owing to the increasing volume of data, companies need data science professionals, who can extract greater value from business intelligence and accelerate the decision-making process for them.
Decision Making is a four-step process, which involves:
- Identifying the nature of the problem that needs to be solved
- Quantifying the quality of the data
- Creating and implementing a suitable algorithm for finding a solution
- Using storytelling to translate insights so that the entire team understands it
This way, data science can help accelerate the decision-making process.
2. Making better products
The aim of every company is to make products that suit the requirements of customers. To find out what the consumers really want, industries need data. This data will focus on analysing customer reviews to identify what they need and deliver that with guaranteed satisfaction. To do this analysis, they need advanced analytical tools for data science.
Along with this, they use the current market trends. These trends help product owners deduce what the masses need. Thanks to these methods of collecting and analysing data, industries can not only develop useful products but also innovative strategies.
For instance – Airbnb uses data generated by the customers to offer premier facilities and better experiences.
3. Managing businesses efficiently
Today, almost every business possesses a huge volume of data that helps them gain valuable insights.
With data, businesses are more equipped to manage their operations. All businesses, irrespective of their size, can leverage data science to grow.
With data scientists, companies will be able to predict the success rate of their strategies. These professionals will turn raw data into insightful data. All of this eventually helps in summarizing the performance of the company.
Business owners can use data science to identify key metrics that determine business performance. These metrics will help any business to evaluate its performance and take appropriate steps.
By tracking the performance, success rate, and similar metrics, businesses can also foster leadership development. To evaluate what is best working for their employees, they can use a separate metric known as workforce analytics.
For example – Data Science can be used by managers to analyse the contributions made by their team members. This will determine when they should be promoted, managing their perks, etc.
4. Automating recruitment processes
Data science has helped businesses bid farewell to mundane jobs; one of them being screening resumes. On a regular basis, HRs have to go through a huge pile of candidates’ resumes. To ensure they can shortlist the most suitable candidates, businesses start automating the recruitment process.
They’ve started using image recognition tools to convert the visual data into a digital format. Next, it processes data using algorithms like clustering and classification to find out the right candidate. Additionally, they study trends to analyze potential applicants. Thanks to this, HR professionals can reach out to candidates that have relevant experience
Conclusion
The pointers mentioned above are just a few ways of how data science can help companies grow. From facilitating smart decisions and making better products to hiring suitable candidates, data science plays a vital role in accelerating business growth. We are living in the digital age, and if companies want to achieve aggressive growth in business and make more money, they need to start investing in data science today.
