Learning Academy

If you get a message on this page saying "Article does not exist or Permission Denied", please log in

Adding Value as Insight Analysts

Description: How do we add value as insight analysts? Focus on how you can enable better decisions and generate measurable improvement. What are the key factors that set you up for success?  
 
Notes: This is a new module intended as part of the introduction to the Box set; How to Drive Improvement with Data & Insight but can also be an independent module

An Introduction to Accuracy & Confidence

Description: Understand the key statistical considerations that will ensure your conclusions are well founded and can drive confidence. The separate Statistical Confidence box set is an opportunity to drive this further.
 
Notes: This is a new module intended as part of the Box Set How to Drive Improvement with Data & Insight but can also be an independent module

Analysts as Improvement Champions

Description: The role of analysts as improvement champions. Explore the three phases of improvement and identify how you can make the most difference.
 
Notes: This is a new module intended as part of the introduction to the Box set; How to Drive Improvement with Data & Insight but can also be an independent module

Benchmarking

Hosted On 12th May 2020 By Ian Robertson

Benchmarking is important in understanding best practice, comparing ourselves with our competitors and becoming the best, but there are many pitfalls to avoid. In this module;
 - Hear the value of benchmarking
 - Learn how to avoid the common mistakes
 - Hear our top tips for benchmarking

Data Visualisation

Explore effective ways of presenting data in a meaningful, interesting and engaging way. Improve the way you inform and persuade your key stakeholders.  
 - Understand why your existing reports don’t excite or engage your stakeholders
 - Learn the basics of data visualisation and how to communicate information
 - Apply “2 key questions” and start the use the tools and resource you need 

Dealing with Ad hoc Requests

Not all ad hoc requests are time-stealers!  Some of them add value and insight and quickly become BAU work.  This session looks at the art behind identifying what is urgent and valuable and what isn’t.
 - Understand the inevitability of Ad Hoc requests
 - Learn how to prioritise requests and eliminate waste
 - See how asking the right questions enables you to quickly understand the driver behind the request

Descriptive Statistics - Part 1

Hosted on 20th March 2020 by Ian Robertson

It is easy to lie with statistics it is easier to lie without them. Whether we are an analyst or a decision maker a basic knowledge of statistical knowledge is essential to;

 - Understand the predictability, variability and repeatability of our data and allow us to separate the exceptions from the normal
 - Ensure we are giving the right message
 - Make sure we aren’t being mislead and are focussing on the normal rather than the rare exceptions

In this pre-recorded webinar module we the introduce the principles of statistics including, standard deviation, standard error and confidence levels. The accompanying excel workbook allows you to pause and play, and practice with real life examples at your own speed. 
 

Descriptive Statistics - Part 2

Following on from Descriptive Statistics Part 1. In this module we look at applying these techniques to real life scenarios, you will receive exercises to complete before we talk you through the solutions.

Emotional Engagement & The Power of Stories

Often facts and data will not get our message across. We need to understand our audience and use emotional engagement techniques to bring our insight to life. In this module we explore some simple emotional engagement techniques to make your communications, presentations and reports more meaningful. We also explore the power of stories in understanding our stakeholders and overcoming their fears and doubts.

Gathering Qualitative Feedback

Hosted 14th June 2019 by Phil Anderson

Hear about different methods for collecting information along with the pitfalls to avoid. Learn how to engage with your stakeholder to gather feedback and information to improve your planning.

- Understand different methods for gathering feedback
- Improve your questioning skills and start to gather honest usable feedback
- Learn how to gather feedback that make you feel good

Identifying Opportunities from Patterns & Exceptions

To innovate and be the best that we can we need to identify and exploit the best opportunities not just to improve but also to learn.

In this module we explore,
 - How to find the right opportunities
 - Creating time to learn and improve
 - Striking the right balance between proactive & reactive insight
 

Introduction to the Insight Cycle

Our best practice framework for data, analytics & insight, has the Scientific method at its heart and draws inspiration from methods that drove success with the planning framework last year. In this module we;   
 - Explore the scientific method
 - Introduce our new insight cycle
 - Share an exercise to identify the gaps and opportunity in your data, analytics and insight processes.

Layouts & Structure

Whether we are producing dashboards, reports or presentations layout and format is key to landing your message. Learn how to make it easy for the audience to follow your story, draw their focus to what really matters and avoid unnecessary distractions.

Measures of Success for MI and Insight

Hosted on 12th March 2019 By Ian Robertson

Understand how to create the right measures to track and develop your MI and Insight efforts. Learn how to create the right process, aligned to your strategy and how to take a holistic view when setting measures of success. Learning outcomes include:
 - What does good look like?  Explore the key characteristics of an ideal real time function and key considerations to develop understanding and learning.
 - Define your purpose. Understand how real-time planning can support your business strategy and impact it can have on customers and colleagues.
 - Creating the right measures. Understand different perspectives and develop a holistic framework of success measures.

Measures of Success: Balanced Scorecards

Hosted on 30th April 2019 By Ian Robertson

Understand how to create the right measures to track and develop your real time effectiveness. Learn how to create the right process, aligned to your strategy and how to take a holistic view when setting measures of success.  Learning outcomes include:
 - What does good look like? Explore the key characteristics of an ideal real time function and key considerations to develop understanding and learning
 - Define your purpose. Understand how real-time planning can support your business strategy and impact it can have on customers and colleagues
 - Creating the right measures. Understand different perspectives and develop a holistic framework of success measures

Performance Records, Data Tables, Rigour and Governance

Hosted on 5th May 2020 by Ian Robertson

Clear documentation and structure can help us remove single points of failure, avoid arguments, ensure a single version of the truth and avoid duplicated work. In this module;
 - See how to create a data dictionary to ensure a single version of the truth
 - Learn techniques to ensure metrics are used to drive the right behaviours
 - Facilitate exception based reporting with agreed triggers

Prioritising Opportunities for Improvement

Description: Explore how to focus on the right issues, how to create time to learn and how to balance proactive and reactive work, as analysts. 
 
Notes
: This is a new module intended as part of the Box Set How to Drive Improvement with Data & Insight but can also be an independent module

Problem Statements & Hypotheses

Description: Using problem statements to generate fruitful hypotheses. Explore how to focus in the right way, becoming clear about the questions and problems you need to address.

Notes: This is a new module intended as part of the introduction to the Box set; How to Drive Improvement with Data & Insight but can also be an independent module

Root Cause Analysis

Hosted on 21st April 2020 by Ian Robertson

Root cause analysis is a core skill for analysts and forecasters but is something that few of us do well.  If we want to predict or shape the future it is vital that we understand the past. In this webinar we will explore:

- Why do we need root cause analysis
- How do we ensure we are asking the right questions
- Common Mistakes
- Use of technology to support root cause analysis

Shaping the Future the 4 Stages of Insight

Description: Shaping the future: the 4 stages of insight. Learn how to move from hindsight to foresight and help prepare our organisations for whatever happens in a fast-changing world.
 
Notes: This is a new module intended as part of the introduction to the Box set; How to Drive Improvement with Data & Insight but can also be an independent module

Target Typology

Hosted on 30th April 2020 by Ian Robertson

How do you avoid your targets being misunderstood, misinterpreted and misused. In this module;
 - Learn the different target types
 - Understand tolerances & triggers
 - Avoid common mistakes

The Pattern of Great Presentations

In this module we look at how techniques from great speakers through history can be used to bring your presentations to live and bring your audience on your journey.

The Pyramid Principle for Effective Communication

Like us our stakeholders have limited time, we rarely read every emails and report we receive end to end, and neither do they. We may have just a few seconds to land our message and get our audience to take action or read on. The pyramid principle is a simple technique to help you structure your communications and reports to quickly answer the “So what?” and land your core message.

The Scientific Method

Description: The Scientific Method: become a trusted source of information. Understand how to create an operating rhythm for analysis, which builds trust and confidence in your conclusions. This includes the first of our exercises to help you identify gaps and opportunity in your current approaches.
 
Notes: This is a new module intended as part of the Box Set How to Drive Improvement with Data & Insight but can also be an independent module

The Scientific Method and the Improvement Cycle

Description: Using the Scientific method to drive improvement. In this module we link the scientific method to the three phases of improvement, and get you started on the next of the practical exercises.
 
Notes
: This is a new module intended as part of the Box Set How to Drive Improvement with Data & Insight but can also be an independent module

The Strategy Pyramid

Before setting targets and goals it is important that these are aligned to strategies that support your organisational goals. In this module;
 - Understand your organisational goals
 - See how to balance your strategies
 - Learn how to align the right metrics and targets to your strategies

Understanding & Managing Sample Bias

 - How to Identify Sample Bias & ensure you reduce the likelihood of bias
 - The impact on your data and insight validity from Sample Bias and the potential impact to your business
 - Common Sample Bias issues to look out for