The modern world is driven by data. Every person and company generate a huge data amount every day. And if a person can forget about data, companies can’t miss the possibility to work with data. Modern businesses are active data users in their daily routine. Based on the assigned tasks, various indicators are analyzed, and forecasts are made. This allows companies to move away from a «blind» approach and act based on real and reliable data.

Modern analytics tools are quite easy to use, that allows any company employee to perform a certain set of data functions. However, for better and more complete work with data, training and regular professional development are necessary. Full involvement and commitment of the team can guarantee success and a good overall result.

Company leaders often encounter resistance from employees to learn something new about data. Below are a few recommendations that will help overcome resistance and resolve the main problems when implementing the training and professional development process.

1. Overcoming resistance

Employee resistance to undergo training is one of the main problems. It’s worth looking at the problem as a marketer. You should make the training so that people want to take it. Proper promotion of training is one of the most important elements of employee engagement. Engaging company leaders who can highlight the value of acquiring data skills will be a powerful selling point. However, it is worth focusing not only on the final result and company benefits, but also on the capabilities of each employee and their career success.

2. «Simplicity» of data

The main reason for employee resistance is the fear of the new and the perception of working with data as something extremely complex and incomprehensible. First of all, it is necessary to clearly explain why working with data is so important for everyone and for the company in general. In addition, machine learning, Artificial Intelligence and data science create a fear of «unnecessary» employees. Managers should explain that the introduction of these technologies doesn’t imply a reduction in the team, but rather the automation of some functions to optimize, simplify and improve the employee’s work. Good use of data is the key to making effective decisions across one position in the company, and therefore, one team and the entire company.

3. Understanding data usage

The use of data must be clear to employees. Each employee must understand why he is using the data: what his specific goal is, what the company’s goal is, to improve what business processes, etc. Such transparency and understanding will allow employees to feel more confident and correctly present the data in discussions about the results.