# The pandemic has increased the importance of strong data skills
Published: 2021-08-03
Category: Business
Category URL: https://technologydispatch.com/category/business/
Meta Title: Alteryx Report: Data Champions Failing to Deliver Business Value
Meta Description: Alteryx, Inc. reveals insights from European Data Skills Survey, showing importance of data skills post-pandemic. Discover why 23% are true Data Champions.
URL: https://technologydispatch.com/the-pandemic-has-increased-the-importance-of-strong-data-skills/

![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qslpr5001pwirgs7x8860d/images/computer-1737023668867-compressed.jpg)

_Only 23% of data workers are delivering any business value_

Alteryx, Inc. (NYSE: AYX), the analytics automation company with clients such as Sainsbury’s, Gymshark and Brookson, is highlighting the phase one results of its European Data Skills Survey. It can reveal that **71% of workers believe the pandemic has increased ‘the importance of having strong data skills to make informed business decisions.’**  Additionally, the majority of workers believe more training in data work would result in better (75%) and faster (69%) decisions.

However, the survey highlights that just **23% of data workers**— whom we call the Data Champions — are **delivering any actual business value**. This is despite Alteryx finding that **three quarters (73%) classify their data skills as above average.**

Despite the clear link between data-driven insights and business agility, this lack of knowledge and skills inflation is stalling business transformation efforts. While the historic digital skills gap centred on a lack of hireable talent, we now see a new phenomenon: a lack of talent in those available to hire. Hindering every organisation trying to leverage data-driven insights for a competitive edge is this lack of analytic talent.

When it came to basic data handling skills, Alteryx asked how confident workers were in a range of basic data skills including:

- Identifying trustworthy data (32%)
- Cleaning data (34%)
- Sharing data securely (38%)

The 23% of data champions say skills enable them to not only save money (75%), but also generate additional revenue (68%), and deliver business value (82%).

**_Alan Jacobson, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Alteryx, c_** _omments:_

_“Digital transformation has moved beyond boardroom discussions. It’s now mission critical for businesses to be able to assess, analyse, and adapt to constantly shifting requirements through data._

_“Employees with strong data skills are a core requirement for developing business resiliency and the ability to pivot at speed. Despite the inherent value of data-led decision making, there is a critical disconnect between what skills are reported and the reality. The majority of data workers appear unable to deliver on what is needed to drive this transformation forward.”_

The research was undertaken by YouGov in June 2021, surveying 3,000 employees across a range of verticals, job functions and seniority across France, Germany and the UK.


---
This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more.
---