From Data to Decisions

4 Core Teaching Points: From Data to Decisions

1. Identify & Organise What Matters

“Not all data is created equal — let’s find what really drives your business.”

• Understand what data exists in the business (financial, operational, people, customer)

• Clean, structure, and organise data for clarity and usability

• Focus on the metrics that actually matter for performance and growth

2. Connect Data to Business Decisions

“Great decisions start with the right questions.”

• Define core business questions (e.g. Where are we losing money? What’s working?)

• Set relevant KPIs and benchmarks

• Align data sources to decision-making needs

3. Visualise and Communicate Insights

“If you can see it, you can act on it.”

• Learn to build clear, focused dashboards and visual reports

• Use charts and summaries to uncover trends and tell a story

• Tailor reports to different audiences (owners, staff, investors)

4. Plan for the Future Using Evidence

“Turn past performance into a future strategy.”

• Use data to create forecasts, budgets, and scenario plans

• Link insights to practical next steps

• Establish rhythms of review, reflection, and decision-making