How this One Power User Group could change the nature of business in the Caribbean.
Trinidad and Tobago’s business ecosystem is bubbling. Not with cash or profitability. But in mindset. Not with grandiose businesses but with bubbling enthusiasm for the future.
Sure, you’d say — enthusiasm and mindset mean nothing. But, there’s credence in saying that it’s a massive step forward. It’s a step in the right direction.
Where older heads prevail in decision-making positions, younger minds are finally stepping up. They’re seeking innovation.
Young entrepreneurs and professionals are creating new communities with potential. They see the potential to build new ways to do things.
None of this was more present than a mini-cluster of data enthusiasts I met with this week.
No.
It’s not a geek club.
No, it’s not a nerd session — which many assume these types of events to be.
This group believes in data. They believe in using data for good. They believe in making better business decisions using facts, stats and figures.
And now, I’m indoctrinated.
I attended this event at the request of a friend, and — well — mind-blown! Even among professionals from I.T., Marketing and Finance, I was able to understand how Power BI and data could serve my needs. Yes, my simple copywriting and startup needs.
Data in its pure form can be confusing. But understanding data and making decisions from it? That’s another story.
Enter Power B.I.
If you’re a financial professional or business owner, you should get to know Power BI.
What is Power BI?
As a Microsoft product, Power BI is an analytics solution that helps you (non-techies) to visualize their data in a better (and much nicer way).
Tired of sitting in front of the computer crunching numbers? Exhausted from pulling together surveys and information? Frustrated at navigating Excel data?
Power BI is for you.
Here’s a bit about what Power BI can do:
1. Connect Data
If you’ve worked with numbers, you know how stressful it can be. The hours spent collecting data from different applications, different departments and key stakeholders.
You’re probably the person who needs to clean it all and make sure it’s formatted the way you need it.
Power BI is a pretty good tool for that. It enables you to connect your data from across various platforms or applications. Whether it’s on a desktop, application or the cloud — grab it, import it and start seeing it in a completely new way. It takes the workload away, from hours to minutes.
2. Collaborate and share reports and dashboards
Power BI is about the visualization. It summarizes data in a digestible way. If numbers are the bane of your existence, prepare to be spared the shame and confusion. Present to your manager or board with confidence. Trust me, they’ll also be happy with it.
This tool allows you to collaborate with anyone in your organization, gather data in a way that’s seamless, and helps you share the latest insights — I do mean real-time.
Why make decisions today from last month’s results?
3. Access insights and reports from anywhere
With most software platforms today, accessing information from anywhere is a convenient benefit. So why should this be any different?
I’ve found that these insights can be accessed regardless of your location or tool. Desktop? Of course. Mobile? Definitely!
The caveat to it all?
It’s not going to create data for you. That’s one aspect where you’ll have to do some heavy lifting. It can’t create for you — and it shouldn’t create data for you.
If you’re starting a new business, it could be simply using survey data. If you’ve got troves of data from the years of serving your market, you can use that to get started learning the tool.
I’m excited to be a part of this group and to learn how this micro-cluster can push our business and startup ecosystem forward.
After all, this micro-group of passionate users could be a key to a new aspect data and statistics use in Trinidad and Tobago.
Curious for more information on Power BI?
Check out this additional take. (An interesting little read on how it stacks up to Excel).
