The importance of business analytics.

Business analytics involves communicating results of data analysis through statistical operations, formation of predictive models, and application of optimization techniques. In layman’s terms, business analytics breaks down information related to past performance to plan. The task of pouring over large amounts of data, or Big Data as it is called, to come up with solutions is a profession that reaches even into the humblest parts of daily life. In fact, this aspect of business is extremely important to the economy, but more significantly, is attractive to those wanting to take part in shaping some of the most well-known and popular businesses and products.

Business analytics has many practical applications. This sector helps private banks compete successfully through data mining; it helps credit card companies ascertain the risk of applicants; and it helps insurance companies estimate risk. Some of the most popular businesses have relied on analytics to gain the competitive advantage. For example, fast-food giant KFC relies on business analytics to customize services to diverse populations internationally. Business analytics has also predicted the effectiveness of converting from manpower to robots. Tally is a robot intended for highly dense retail environments that would assist employees by gliding around the store to ensure that items are stocked in the right place for the right price. Even farmers find that business analytics is, in what is termed smart farming, indispensable in helping them monitor the impact that water, fertilizer, and the sun have on crops. Analytics, in modern business, has become an invaluable player in helping companies plan and predict future performance.

While anyone with a degree in business could work in this field, those with the following attributes might find themselves attracted to this industry:

• Those who are naturally inquisitive and who like to understand what, wheres, and hows of any situation would love this field of work.
• Being able to look at information and interpret meaning is also especially important in this field. These skills aid in developing strategies for helping businesses succeed.
• Those with a basic understanding of skills related to analysing data (knowing SAS and Excel is a plus) would excel in this profession.
• Being detail oriented is also important.
• Finally, if you want to work with figures, you must be comfortable with numbers and mathematical formulas.

All these characteristics make up the basic skills needed to work in business analytics.

People interested in a career in this field can find any number of colleges in the country that offer both a bachelor’s and master’s in business data analytics. However, some sites advise that when looking for a program, students should consider the following:

• Search faculty listings within each department to ascertain the qualifications of the professors. Many professors have not only worked in the field for years but have also been consultants outside of the classroom.
• Look at the course offerings. In this field, students might encounter one of two types of classes. Descriptive courses cover data reporting and summarizing, and prescriptive courses might cover optimization. Also, master’s degree programs can last anywhere from ten months to almost two years, so course offerings between schools are not always congruent, even though over a degree program, the student would theoretically take courses that cover all of the topics needed to work in this field.
• Determine whether you would need to earn an MBA or MS. More schools offer a Master of Science degree in business analytics than an MBA, and those interested in the field would need to decide how they want to use their degree. Someone whose career goals are to be in a managerial position might find an MBA program more appropriate, whereas someone who has an interest in developing models and doing analytics might find a Master of Science more appropriate.

These considerations are probably some of the more pertinent needed to determine which type of program and degree is important for you, the student.

Business analytics seems to be an exciting field and career choice for those professionals interested in shaping the direction of consumer choices. From determining food choices for popular food chains to helping farmers supply food for human consumption, business analytics is at the forefront of the economy in helping major corporations plan for the consumer. The profession is one that appears to have a growing need, and with the proliferation of institutions willing to offer programs in this area, those interested in the field have several options from which to choose.