Leveraging Data for Smarter Decisions

Richard Keenlyside
17 hours ago
3 min read

TL;DR:

Smart business insights stem from strategic data use. With the right tools and mindset, organisations can turn raw data into powerful decision-making assets—accelerating growth, reducing risk, and enhancing competitiveness.

Smarter Decisions Start with Better Data

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, success hinges on making informed decisions quickly. As organisations grow and data volumes explode, the ability to extract smart business insights becomes a strategic differentiator. The value lies not merely in possessing data, but in understanding it—and more importantly, acting on it.

As Global CIO and with a career spanning over three decades across retail, manufacturing, private equity, and utilities, I’ve seen how businesses unlock competitive advantages when they embrace data-driven strategies.

Why Smart Business Insights Matter

Data is everywhere, but insight is rare. Here's why businesses must evolve:

Faster Decision Making: Real-time dashboards and predictive analytics speed up response times.
Risk Reduction: Historical data helps identify patterns, forecast disruptions, and mitigate operational risks.
Customer Understanding: Data empowers hyper-personalised experiences that drive loyalty and revenue.
Operational Efficiency: Data optimises supply chains, workforce planning, and financial forecasting.

Using data for smart business insights isn't just a technology play—it's a cultural shift in how leadership, operations, and frontline staff think.

Data-Driven Success: Real-World Impact

During my advisory work with M.I. Dickson, we implemented a centralised data lake and embedded Power BI dashboards across finance, retail, and supply chain. These smart business insights enabled a 40% operational efficiency boost and reduced invoice debt by nearly a third.

At a Utilities client, deploying RPA and AI-based analytics saved 75,000 hours annually. These aren’t just statistics—they're transformative outcomes driven by intelligent use of data.

Laying the Groundwork: Your Data Strategy

To realise value from data, businesses need to rethink their foundations:

1. Define a Unified Data Strategy

Avoid data silos by setting a clear vision for how data supports business goals.

2. Build Governance & Quality Measures

Poor data leads to flawed decisions. Establish standards for accuracy, privacy, and lifecycle management.

3. Invest in the Right Tools

From ERP systems like SAP S/4HANA to analytics platforms like Power BI, ensure your tech stack aligns with your data ambitions.

4. Train and Empower Your People

Technology is only as good as its users. Upskilling teams to interpret and act on insights is critical.

5. Embed Smart Insights into Decision Flows

Integrate dashboards, alerts, and forecasting tools directly into the operational workflow, making insights actionable in real time.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Data Overload: More data doesn’t always mean better insights. Focus on relevant, decision-grade data.
Lack of Ownership: Without a dedicated data leader or CDO, governance and accountability falter.
Underutilised Tools: Many businesses own analytics software but lack adoption due to poor user training or overly complex setups.

Future-Proofing Through Intelligent Analytics

AI and Machine Learning offer immense potential—but only if the underlying data architecture is sound. In my role at Quollify, I guided the development of an AI-powered matching platform that leverages user-generated data to connect talent with opportunity in seconds. The success hinged not on the algorithm alone, but on the structured data feeding it.

FAQs

Q: What’s the difference between data and insight? A: Data is raw information; insight is the understanding from interpreting that data to inform decisions.

Q: How do I start building a data strategy? A: Begin with a current state assessment, define your goals, and align stakeholders around a roadmap.

Q: Can small businesses benefit from smart business insights? A: Absolutely. Even modest data use—like CRM analytics or inventory tracking—can yield significant benefits.

Q: What tools are essential for leveraging smart insights? A: ERP systems (SAP, Oracle), data visualisation tools (Power BI, Tableau), and AI models tailored to your domain.

Conclusion

In the era of digital transformation, data is your most valuable asset. However, value is only realised when that data becomes insight, and insight becomes action. By embedding smart business insights at every level, organisations survive disruption and thrive in it.

Now is the time to act. Transform your data into your sharpest strategic tool.

Richard Keenlyside is the Global CIO for the LoneStar Group and a former IT Director for J Sainsbury’s PLC.

Call me on +44(0) 1642 040 268 or email richard@rjk.info.

Follow me on X https://x.com/cioinpractice & LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardkeenlyside/