Skills for the accelerating data revolution

Last June, SAS participated in an Online Informative Session, for future students at the Universidad San Pablo CEU, Economy and Business Faculty.

Together with Sony Playstation Marketing Manager Jorge Huguet, I discussed future professions. I talked about how we live in a hyperconnected world, where data is present every single day. We create data, we receive data, we even become data ourselves.

Data is basically the new gold. It is therefore not surprising that the most in-demand emerging jobs require knowledge of data. A recent LinkedIn report talks about the 15 emerging professions for this year. Artificial Intelligence specialist is in top place, with a growth of 76% compared to last year. However, other professions were also mentioned, including Python developers, data scientists, big data developers and data engineers.

The article makes clear that digital technologies will have a huge impact on jobs. They will optimize data processing, and profoundly transform organizations. They are expected to connect people, facilitate decision-making, and accelerate change within organizations. This will make organizations more competitive, more agile and smarter.

Data in the real world

To make data into something tangible and intelligent, we need data analytics. But how does this work in practice? Abstract concepts are all very well, but it is easiest to understand with real cases.

At the online session, I described work in four areas. First, analytics is helping energy companies to forecast demand, so that nobody runs out of electricity. In the health sector, analytics helps hospitals to manage resources, to ensure that they have the right number of beds to care for patients. Retail companies, such as supermarkets, are using analytics to understand demand, and ensure that their supply chains can keep up with their customers. Finally, to show that life is not all about commercial applications, I described a Data 4 Good example: using visual analytics to reduce deforestation in the Amazon region.

Data analytics therefore helps us make better business decisions. This accelerates change and make companies more competitive, more agile and smarter. If you want to be part of the ‘data revolution’, what skills will you need? 

Skills, profiles and competences

I believe four main profiles will be necessary in the future.

1. First is the Business Translator. These are businesspeople with a technological vision. They may work in marketing, supply chain, finance, or other business areas, but they understand the potential of analytics to add value to existing products, services and processes. They hold budgets and can sell analytics projects to management.
2. Second is the Citizen Data Scientist. These people have experience in business areas, but also understand how technological tools work. They understand the needs and opportunities within business areas and turn them into projects and tasks for the technical team.
3. The third area is Data Compliance. As artificial intelligence becomes more ubiquitous, we need to think more about how we use it wisely and well. These technologies have legal, ethical and moral implications that must be considered, and this is the role of data compliance.
4. The final area is Customer Success. These people have both technical knowledge and good relational skills. They also have both strategic and communication skills to help position the business in the market. These people are always looking to help their clients get the best out of technology.

These profiles have a range of skills and competences.

On a personal level, analytics needs people with a passion for technology. Digital solutions revolve around this. Even for more functional roles, people need to know about the technology that supports the solution to enable them to use it safely and autonomously. Analytics also needs people who take responsibility for each task, commit to their work, and are proactive. They have to react to problems, and know when and who to ask for help. Finally, you need to be authentic. You have to be prepared to be yourself, which means not being afraid to fail, and seeing errors as a way to improve. 

Analytics is a technical subject—but soft skills are essential. Perhaps the most important are the ability to lead and work in a team, communication skills, problem-solving, cognitive or emotional empathy, and time management. These skills are well worth developing—and then emphasizing in any job application.

A final word of advice

When I was choosing a university and career, I was given a very good piece of advice. I was told that you have to try to find the perfect balance between studying what interests you, and what you are good at, and subject that will enable you to find a job that will pay you reasonably well. I think this is still sound advice today, and for me, analytics fits that bill.