Make better business decisions with Data Visualisation

Unlock the power of your data and make intelligent, data-led decisions

Data is now considered the world’s most valuable resource – and that’s likely the case for most businesses too. From a customer’s email address to the odometer readings of a fleet of vehicles, all data has merit and usefulness. But all too often we can be swamped in meaningless data, with no idea what to do with it or how to get the value out of it. How many times have you been buried in spreadsheets, trying to spot trends in seemingly unrelated data?

Luckily, there are now some simple ways in which data can be presented to give you helpful, actionable insights and drive decision making that’s led by your data.

At Emerge Digital, we’re championing data visualisation and firmly believe it’s the key to improving your business’s success.

What Is Data Visualisation and Why Is It Important?

Data visualisation is a representation technique used to help people easily understand complex data. Large data sets and metrics are converted into simple graphs, creative charts and innovative visuals. Turning numbers into pictures helps us process the information much faster – after all, humans process visual information quicker than verbal or written information, and studies have found that at least 65% of people are visual learners who understand visual concepts best.

Presenting your business’s data in a way that can be universally understood means that people can make more informed and more impactful decisions. If you see a curve dropping in a graph which combines multiple data sets together into one, it can take just seconds to make a decision, rather than spending half an hour flicking between spreadsheets and comparing information.

Two Golden Rules of Reporting

When it comes to creating visualisations and dashboards, we have two golden rules that we always follow, which ensure that they’re as effective as possible.

1. 90 Seconds

You should be able to understand (within reason) any dashboard or report within just 90 seconds if it’s meant to be a high-level informational overview. For instance, a manager overseeing the operations of multiple sites might like to be presented with big green boxes which tell them if all of the targets are being met with just a quick glance - but if a box is amber or red, some remedial action may be needed.

2. Know Where To Look

If you’re being presented with a summary of information, you shouldn’t have to spend ages looking for the detail. That’s why, if you want to deep dive for further context, the dashboard should essentially tell you where to go, or give you an intuitive way of accessing that information. For example, if you want a breakdown of P&L for a particular month on a bar chart, you should be able to simply click on that month’s bar to be shown a list of its revenue and costs.

Microsoft Power BI

There are hundreds of data visualisation tools available, but the one we advocate is Microsoft Power BI. It’s cloud-based, supports a wide range of data sets (from SharePoint and SQL databases, to Excel spreadsheets and Dynamics) and provides easy-to-use, interactive visuals. Crucially, it also integrates into the wider Microsoft Power Platform, enabling some exciting innovations and letting you turn insights into action.

Has the rate of output at one of your manufacturing sites been running below target for over an hour? The site manager will receive a Teams message alerting them.

Do you have a dashboard which monitors how much stock you’re holding, and it’s reporting that one product has just 20 units left? Automatically create a task for your procurement team to buy more.

Using Power BI and the Power Platform, we can help you discover the Art of the Possible.

Emerge Digital’s Approach to Data Visualisation

We have a simple three step process that we follow when it comes to implementing data visualisation and Power BI into a business.

Firstly, we have an exploratory meeting to get to know your organisation, where we find out your business goals, how you currently use technology, and identify some general areas where technology can help you innovate.

The next step is a data visualisation workshop. This can take anywhere from ½ day – 3 days, dependent on the size of your business and the complexity of its operations, and is run by a business analyst. They will work with you to devise a list of reports and dashboards that will provide actionable insights to improve efficiency and aid the growth of your business.

And finally, one of our Power BI specialists will work with you and/or your partners (e.g. a software supplier) to prepare your data for visualisation, then construct your bespoke charts, gauges and dashboards. We’ll review the dashboards with you before we finalise the designs and show you how to get the most out of them.

The Power of Data

If you want to see the potential of Power BI for yourself, you can visit our website and book onto a free Innovation Workshop. We can help you explore how our innovative technology solutions like data visualisation can support you in achieving your business goals, in a workshop led by an Emerge Digital Innovation Specialist.

Explore Power BI on our website

For more information on Emerge Digital, connect with us at emerge.digital or on LinkedIn

https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/first-solution-has-rebranded-to-emerge-digital-to-reflect-its-pioneering-client-focused-approach/