Developing Your Analytical Skills: How to Research and Present Information

When making decisions, how do you assess the credibility of the information in front of you? Do you conduct systematic research and gather data with intention, or do you act on instinct and follow the latest trends? Do you know which questions to ask, and do you feel confident that the decisions you make are grounded in solid evidence?

Whether you are developing a new product or service, presenting findings on a competitor, or determining how to allocate resources, you need the analytical skills to support your conclusions with valid and credible evidence. In this course, you'll build a practical process for data analysis that ensures you're focusing on the most critical information, involving the right stakeholders, and communicating your message in terms that resonate with your audience.

Who Should Attend:

All business professionals who want to develop fundamental analytical skills they can apply directly to their work to make more informed and effective decisions.

How You Will Benefit:

• Identify which information is relevant and worthy of attention
• Research and organize data from multiple sources into useful formats
• Categorize and structure data for effective analysis
• Navigate difficult decisions that involve qualitative data
• Perform analysis from multiple perspectives simultaneously
• Recognize patterns and determine their significance for your business
• Evaluate evidence to identify the best opportunity or most well-reasoned solution
• Communicate findings and recommendations with clarity and confidence

What You Will Cover:

Analytical Skills and Data Analysis

• Identifying core analytical skills used by business professionals
• Exploring the challenges of collecting, evaluating, and presenting information
• Describing the steps in the analytical process: plan, analyze, conclude

The Planning Phase

• Defining the purpose of the analysis
• Sharpening analytical skills by clarifying relevant issues: Why? Who? What are the options, benefits, and risks?
• Identifying issues that are essential for a comprehensive understanding
• Deciding on the right approach for an analysis project
• Creating a data collection plan

The Analysis Phase

• Organizing, collecting, and evaluating data using graphic tools
• Performing affinity grouping to aggregate unstructured data into meaningful categories
• Using 2x2 grids and SWOT analysis to evaluate ideas and strategies
• Assessing risks and performing cost-benefit analysis
• Evaluating data and addressing information gaps

The Conclusion and Reporting Process

• Understanding what makes a conclusion valid and defensible
• Moving from conclusions to actionable recommendations
• Presenting conclusions through effective visual formats

Telling Your Story

• Using tools, tips, and techniques to present findings to multiple audiences
• Crafting and delivering a concise, persuasive presentation

Outline:

Learning Objectives

• Apply Techniques to Information to Help Determine What Is Relevant
• Put Information into a Form That Can Be Analyzed
• Analyze Information to Identify the Best Opportunity for Your Business, and Explain Your Reasoning
• Recognize Patterns and Discern What They Can Mean for Your Business
• Identify a Framework as the Basis for Creating Presentations That Use Information Derived from Your Analysis

Analytical Skills for the Business Professional

• Identify Core Analytical Skills Commonly Used by Business Professionals
• Describe Challenges Business Professionals Face in Collecting, Evaluating, and Presenting Information and Recommendations
• Identify the Basic Steps in the Analytical Process

The Plan Phase

• Identify the Purpose of the Analysis
• Use a Tool for Clarifying Questions
• Decide on an Approach for Completing an Analysis
• Discuss the Importance of Considering the Needs of Your Audience When Developing Your Plan
• Create a Data Collection Plan

The Analyze Phase

• Use an Outline to Organize Data for Analysis
• Aggregate Unstructured Data into Segments Based on Common Characteristics
• Organize Data Using Graphic Tools
• Assess the Potential Risk Associated with an Analysis
• Use an Outline to Evaluate Data and Address Information Gaps

The Conclude Phase

• Describe the Characteristics of Valid Conclusions
• Explain How to Move from Conclusions to Recommendations
• Develop Recommendations That Can Be Used in a Presentation

Telling Your Story

• Discuss Tools, Tips, and Techniques for Presenting Your Findings to Multiple Audiences
• Create and Deliver a Brief Presentation Highlighting Your Conclusions and Recommendations