What Makes a Great Data Analyst
Key Behaviours and Traits
Being a great data analyst isn't just about being good with numbers. Here's the six behaviours / traits I've tried to instill in teams over my career. This is a set of behaviours that on leading a data team I look across to check in how people are behaving.
Separate to objectives these behaviours help guide people to the key traits in going about their role. How do they think as they meet their objectives and deliver projects?
Commercially aware
Revenue-focused, aware of how the business makes money and looks for opportunities to help the organisation grow the business via analytics. Innovates to find new opportunities for the business.
Customer Focussed
Puts customers/users needs first, talks appropriately to them and goes the extra mile to help customers with requirements. Isn’t afraid of putting in extra effort at key times to aid users and receives good customer feedback from engagements with the business.
Consultative
Consultative in approach and advises the business on their options, even when it’s difficult or not what they may want to hear. Uses product experience and client experience to find pathways through projects. Engenders best practice and communicates this in everything they do with end users and internally in the Analytics team. Innovates to find solutions in tricky situations.
Product Expert
Knows all the key features of the products they use on a day-to-day basis, from desktop to server. Has achieved certifications and perhaps developed specialisms in one or two areas, without neglecting the essentials across all products. Regularly keeps abreast of new features and demonstrates expertise internally and externally both via training and support of the business. They regularly communicate and demonstrate their experience across the team and are aware of others expertise.
They aren’t afraid to dive into the core areas of the products and know how to use Google / community sites.
Quality First
This person lives and breathes accuracy. Both in their consultant engagements and in their communications they produce quality work, working to get their results checked where necessary. The information they give in support is clear, concise and accurate. They use their skills to spot mistakes in others work and help build out work that is maintained easily and is well documented to ensure less chance of future mistakes.
Community Minded
Aware of the importance of community both internally in the analytics team and externally, supports the internal community through a positive outlook (with constructive criticism) and with help and support through internal channels. Is active on our internal communication platforms and communicates effectively. Externally they show community presence, engage with business stakeholders and demonstrate experience and expertise through blog posts / social media activity where appropriate.
What would you add? Drop me a comment by below and engage with others to develop this list of great traits.
Next week I'll be starting a new series of posts looking at developing data products for people external to your business. We'll start looking at finding use cases, before talking about commercial models and finally the delivery and development of your solution.
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