How To Build Data Literacy In Your Company

Discover how to improve data literacy in your company and drive smarter, data-driven decisions.

Poor data literacy is a significant issue which can prevent businesses from reaching their potential. 

‍According to Gartner, data literacy is the capacity to read, write, and communicate data in context, with an understanding of data sources and constructs, analytical methods, and AI techniques. 

So, what does all this mean? 

In short, data literacy is more than just working with numbers. Being data literate involves being able to interpret data in a meaningful way, understanding where it comes from, how it’s produced, and using the information to make important decisions. 

Poor data literacy may have been less obvious in the past, but as data is everywhere in the modern age, data illiteracy can cause greater harm than it used to. Now, you cannot afford to rely on a couple of data experts. All employees require a decent level of data literacy to contribute to a company’s success.

If you’re wondering how to build data literacy in your company, you’ll need to assess current data literacy and then invest in your employees, guiding them in becoming data-literate staff members. 

Let’s explore more about what data literacy is, why it is important, and how to build data literacy in your company.  

What Is Data Literacy and Why Is It Important?

Data literacy involves being able to understand, produce, handle, communicate and analyse data. This is different from technological literacy, which is the capacity to use specific technology devices or tools. Data literacy is more extensive and can vary widely depending on the data’s contextual application.

This is why people within a business may have different ideas of what data literacy involves. 

For example, a financial analyst may focus on interpreting complex financial metrics and trends from raw data, but a sales manager needs to be data literate in a different way. 

It’s more important that they understand how sales performance data turns into actionable strategies, so they can communicate these insights to their team. 

Both roles require data literacy, but the way they interact with and apply data is shaped by their unique responsibilities within a company. 

Now, you know what being data literate is, but why is data literacy important?

Data literacy gives each member of an organisation the ability to create and share knowledge, so they make intelligent, data-driven choices. If employees from all levels can communicate and interpret data well, the whole organisation benefits from faster decision-making, improved collaboration, and greater innovation. 

‍Data Camp’s The State of Data Literacy Report 2024 found that 42% of US and UK leaders regard inaccurate decision-making as the biggest risk linked with inadequate data skills.

Additionally, 38% of these leaders cite slow decision-making, while another 38% highlight reduced productivity as a significant threat posed by data illiteracy within their organisations.

Poor data literacy means businesses risk missed opportunities, inefficiencies, and costly errors. This affects their ability to stay competitive within a data-driven industry. If businesses give their employees the power to understand and leverage data, they can improve their success rate and optimise performance across all of their departments. 

How To Build Data Literacy In Your Company

Building a data-literate company is a constant initiative which requires continuous adaptation to accommodate new employees and changes in the company environment. 

Reviewing your existing data literacy, laying out measurable goals, creating an extensive training plan and addressing company resistance can help improve your overall data literacy. 

Let’s break these down in more detail. 

1. Review Your Existing Data Literacy

To improve general data literacy across an organisation, business leaders need to understand the present state of how employees produce, use, and communicate data in all important matters.

Data literacy attempts are usually part of a greater drive to digitally improve an organisation. This may involve looking at new data sources and systems, but business leaders need to ensure that all company members can comprehend the insights these fresh systems produce.

Organisation leaders need to look at how every department uses data. Some advanced teams may be skilled in managing complex data, while less data-driven employees may rely on manual processes to make key decisions. 

A comprehensive review highlights areas which need improvement and ensure that training efforts occur where they will have the most impact. 

2. Establish Measurable Aims

In the case of larger businesses, training all employees to become data literate will be a long, continuous process. Specific, measurable goals and targets are necessary here to recognise progress. 

For instance, in marketing departments, a useful metric may be the percentage of campaigns which integrate data-driven insights, like performance metrics or client behaviour analysis. This move to data-informed decision-making helps make certain that teams are using data to optimise strategies and improve outcomes. 

In laying out these goals, it’s important to centralise data access and use a unified platform, so all departments are aligned on which data sets to use. This helps avoid data fragmentation so there is one source of truth across a business, which prevents inaccurate decision-making in key areas. 

At Configur, our centralised, code-free data management platform is designed to help businesses achieve their goals. Through providing a unified platform for accessing and handling data, we empower teams to work with consistent, accurate data, which eliminates data silos and promotes data-driven decision making.

‍Contact us today to find out more. 

3. Create A Data Literacy Training Plan

As humans all learn differently, business leaders need to check that their training plan includes a variety of educational activities. Consulting employees on their preferred learning styles will help tailor training programs to be more inclusive and effective.

The VARK learning style model, which groups learning styles into four styles: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic (learning through physical activity), can be a good starting point. 

For instance, auditory employees may prefer webinars or podcasts, while visual learners may benefit from infographics and data visualisation tools. Each employee is different from the next, so data literacy training plans should accommodate all types of learners, inspiring them to perform at their best.

Remember that training is not a one-time activity. Statistics, data analysis, and technology are continuously changing. Training should occur regularly, so your employees have an updated understanding of data literacy.

4. Mitigate Staff Opposition

When introducing new data literacy programs, you may notice that some employees may be hesitant to embrace these changes. To deal with resistance to change, it’s important to clearly outline the reasons behind these changes, how they will benefit employees in their daily roles, and provide a platform for staff members to express their concerns. 

All businesses have their own way of working with data, but fostering an open dialogue about these new processes can help improve individual performance and general business success. 

As you implement your data literacy training, encourage discussions on how data can be applied in specific roles throughout the organisation. This helps ensure that the changes are practical and well-received, so employees have a sense of ownership during the transition. This approach can help mitigate pushback and create a smoother adoption of data-driven practices. 

We hope that this post helped explain answer what is data literacy and why is it important, as well as how to build data literacy in your company. 

How We Can Help

The ideal technology linked with a data literacy program can help your employees picture data management, so they can view the monitoring, inflow, and performance of database records.

If all types of employees handle data from one centralised location, they can benefit from cross-collaboration across the business and understand what areas of an organisation produce value. 

At Configur, our centralised data management program simplifies data handling, making it easier for employees across all departments to manage, interpret, and collaborate with data. 

Our user-friendly, code-free platform ensures that even non-technical users can confidently engage with data, reducing silos and improving accurate decision-making. 

Give us a call on 01633649263 to find out more, or book a meeting with us to discuss your needs in more detail.