Business Analytics: the key to smart decisions
The great market competitiveness requires companies to make quick and accurate decisions, hence the need to use Business Analytics tools.
This process, based on statistical techniques and artificial intelligence systems, studies historical data and is responsible for making predictions that facilitate intelligent decision-making.
Organizations must anticipate to predict trends and stand out from the competition, so in this article, you will learn all about Business Analytics and why it is the key to ensure the viability of your company.
What is Business Analytics?
Business Analytics, or business analysis, is the practice of using your company's data to anticipate trends and results. It includes data mining, statistical analysis and predictive modeling for decision making.
On the other hand, data analytics is the technical process of extracting data, cleaning, transforming and building systems to manage it.
Business Analytics serves us to answer the "why" question so that predictions are more informed about what will happen.
Difference between Business Intelligence and Business Analytics
The terms Business Analytics and Business Intelligence are seen as synonyms, as both are about business efficiency; however, they have some important differences.
The main one lies in what information is collected and how it is used.
Business Intelligence analyzes how the company has been growing and the objectives it has achieved so far. This information is the basis for knowing the points of improvement, correcting procedures and reviewing the strategy that is being implemented.
The analysis of this information is used to improve processes and improve performance.
Now, Business Analytics uses statistical data to develop predictive models that seek to increase the organization's competitiveness and productivity.
Technology Big Data along with AI employs algorithms to forecast situations and based on probability, projections are made that have minimal margins of error.
Both BI and BA processes help to enhance the validity of the data.
Types of Business Analytics
The goal of all Business Analytics is operational efficiency, although there are some types whose way of working is different in terms of interpretation and data management. Let's break down each of them:
1. descriptive analytics.
This is an interpretation of data over time that determines KPIs and applies data mining techniques. It also identifies trends and patterns to have a visualization of the current situation of the company.
This type of Business Analytics is used to know in depth the behavior of customers and have more accurate marketing strategies.
2. Diagnostic analysis
It focuses on evaluating the company's performance over some time and does so by using algorithms for the breakdown and cross-referencing of data that allow to know the causes of some events.
These are used to assess the probability of these situations happening again and to take action.
3. Predictive Analytics
This type of Business Analytics is responsible for using statistical models and machine learning techniques to forecast future results.
With these, probability models can be created to help sales and marketing teams.
4. Prescriptive Analytics
Study performance data to recommend specific actions and have excellent results.
How Business Analytics works
Business Analytics works by extracting and processing huge amounts of data and determining which data is useful to increase revenue, efficiency and productivity in the organization.
These are the phases that a BA process goes through to make intelligent decisions:
Data consolidation and organization.
In this phase, the objective is to gather as much data as possible from internal and external sources. This stage ensures that the information is cleaned and organized efficiently, laying the groundwork for subsequent analysis.
Pattern analysis through data mining
Using statistical techniques and machine learning algorithms, data mining classifies large volumes of data to find hidden relationships and patterns to understand customer behavior and business operations.
Identification and analysis of predictive sequences
Here recurring patterns in user actions or operations are identified, allowing to anticipate future events based on sequences of past behaviors.
Unstructured text processing and analysis
Through text mining, data is collected from unstructured sources, such as social media comments or reviews, providing both qualitative and quantitative insights.
Predictive modeling and simulations
Using historical data, models are developed to help forecast future trends and events. This is complemented with scenario simulations, where different hypothetical situations are analyzed to prepare strategies for possible business scenarios.
Benefits of using Business Analytics tools
Let's see what are the main benefits of implementing Business Analytics tools to know which areas need improvement.
Supports decision making
Every decision must be based on data, and companies that use data are three times more likely to improve decision-making processes in terms of inventory management, and pricing strategies, among other aspects.
Audiences can be segmented
With BA, audiences can be divided into different groups and the customer experience can be better developed, since their needs can be detected in time.
Reduces costs
Helps reduce and save costs because you can determine the optimal amount of a commercial resource and inventory, as well as optimize flows of components and raw materials in production lines, to know the time to replenish the supply chain.
Identifies commercial opportunities.
Business Analytics helps to identify new commercial opportunities that are not very visible and that can increase the company's profitability. Computer models allow you to see customer behavior on time and adjust strategies.
Improve customer service
With Business Analytics there is a lot of information that can be used to generate predictive analytics to optimize the customer experience because with the use of its tools, you can examine their behavior such as buying habits and internet browsing.
Reduce fraud and risks
Companies such as financial institutions use Business Analytics tools to identify potentially fraudulent purchases. Likewise, predictive analytics is used to observe customer profiles and measure the level of risk they present.
Make effective decisions with London Consulting Group
Business Analytics is a technology that improves the performance of organizations and optimizes processes.
Therefore, in London Consulting Group we encourage your company to make decisions based on data through comprehensive analysis of your processes and training your employees to know how to use the tools.
Our strategy is based on helping employees to know how to interpret and analyze data with collection, processing and interpretation methodologies.
At London Consulting Group, we adapt to your business objectives to create customized solutions. Contact us and start having a data-driven culture.