Tell Compelling Stories with Data
Data analysis is only valuable if you know how to communicate the results effectively to stakeholders who might be less data-savvy. For instance, what good is examining consumer trends if you can’t explain to your boss how to leverage the information? The reality of it is, the most important skills you can learn as a data analyst revolve around communication.
Present Data That Speaks to Your Audience
Whether you’re creating a presentation for your internal team, an external vendor, a potential customer, or anyone in between, you need to be able to make your data findings tell a story. Only a certain type of person will understand data the way that you do, so it’s essential that you can take the information and tailor it to the needs of your audience.
As a key component of the Master of Science in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, effective business communication and presentation skills are woven into the curriculum with an emphasis on:
- Data visualization – how you display data matters. Whether you’re using charts, graphs, or other graphics, you’ll learn how to present data in a way that not only makes sense, but is compelling to your audience.
- Humanizing the data – large data sets are not inherently easy to understand. Through your coursework, you’ll gain the communication strategies and tactics that help to simplify and humanize the information so that different stakeholders can understand it.
Convey Your Value
Being a skilled data analyst is one thing, but being able to clearly state your findings and express the value of your work to a range of audiences can set you apart. At Saint Mary’s, you’ll enhance your business communication skills and position yourself as an asset to any organization.