Data Geeks Are the Future of the Digital Economy — Here’s What They Need To Succeed

My obsession with data started when I was very young. In school, I’d often catch myself tracking the number of times a teacher would say a particular word — which, for some reason, was far more fascinating to me than the lesson of the day.

This passion for recognizing patterns has continued into adulthood. Whether I’m calculating how many miles I’ll get out of a tank of gas, analyzing nutrition labels on food products, or tracking my progress on a run, my obsession with all things data has enriched my life and led me to co-found a company with data at its core.

If you have a passion for data and all of the insights it can reveal, the digital economy welcomes you to the head of the table.

How data geeks fit in the digital economy

The digital economy is tailor-made for data geeks. It’s a virtual playground where the data-obsessed can test and hone their skills while improving the human condition. The truth is, nearly everyone in the modern world is plugged into data and the digital economy. Nearly 5 billion people now have access to the internet, and more than 2 billion made a digital purchase in 2021.

As digital tools transform the global economy, data geeks are leading the charge to help organizations navigate each evolution. Ten years ago, many believed that more data was better. However, more data presents more risks, and organizations have shifted their focus from gathering as much data as possible to limiting the amount of individual data they must keep. Data geeks and their “walking spreadsheet” tendencies are poised to solve these problems.

While it’s relatively easy to gather data in the digital economy, the secret is knowing how to use it both deftly and responsibly. “Walking spreadsheets” are uniquely positioned to accomplish this in ways that help companies become more responsible, effective, and profitable.

What data geeks need to achieve success

Having a passion for data and a penchant for discovering patterns are key to being a successful data leader, but those traits alone aren’t enough. Personal and professional development in a few key areas can help propel aspiring data leaders to success.

1. Cross-training isn’t just for athletes

Getting beyond the spreadsheet to gain experience utilizing AI, machine learning, and natural language processing can make a world of difference for data geeks looking to get their foot in the door. Advances in these technologies are slingshotting companies to the front of the pack. Data experts can climb to the top of the ladder in an organization by becoming proficient with these analytical tools. In fact, these skills are so important that even chief information officers and chief technology officers are often “going back to school” to learn these skills, helping them make their way to the front of the C-suite. With the digital economy becoming more prevalent and powerful, it’s not hard to understand why many organizations are now considering adding chief data officers to their C-suites.

2. Learn to sell an idea

Data in a vacuum is useless. The power comes in its application, especially when professionals use it to tell a story or sell an idea. Data geeks will improve their value at a company if they can demonstrate how to mine and structure data in a way that produces strategic insights that help drive the business forward.

Is the sales team at your company vexed by low traction in the marketplace? Properly sourced, structured, and analyzed data can help the team discover the best way to reach and convert customers. Is your product team having a hard time getting organizational buy-in on their next stage of development? Your data on customer tendencies might help tip the scales. Is your HR team having a tough time identifying top performers? Hiring and performance data may hold the key to sourcing the right candidates, asking the right questions in the interview, and tracking signals that indicate which candidates will be top performers at your company. Having great ideas and expertise alone won’t cut it. Learning how to tell a compelling and grounded story with data will help establish your value in an organization and propel your company forward.

3. Understand the power of connection

A commonly uttered (and false) adage in business is “a good product will sell itself.” The truth is “good” isn’t enough. Good is table stakes. Consumers are smart and won’t sell for anything less than good. Even good products struggle to gain traction in a vacuum. In my experience, you won’t win if consumers can’t connect with a product or service. This is where data can be a powerful tool for conversion.

How does the customer want to interact with and experience the product or service before buying? What cues are they looking for, and which ones drive them to buy? What kinds of imagery, content, and experiences move people to act? These questions can only be answered by great data pros. If you can learn how to structure and analyze the data at your disposal to answer these questions, you’ll become one of the most valuable assets in any organization.

A word of encouragement

Data-curious people have never been better positioned to lead organizations than they are in today’s digital economy. You know if you love data naturally. You know when you’re the go-to spreadsheet guru in your organization. This skill is no longer reserved for back-office staff — it’s now table stakes for any strategic leadership role.

You may not gravitate toward the limelight, but you should know that your power is instrumental. If you can commit to broadening your skillset and leaving your comfort zone, you will find that you are as valuable as anyone in the market. Success has never been more attainable for us, so let’s get out there and win.