WAW presentation on 1/22/15 by Charles Hua

1. How to Make Your Analysis
Actionable
Charles Hua
RetailMeNot.com

3. What is actionable analytics?
Why do insights have to be
actionable?

4. A company manager is flying across the desert in a hot air balloon when he realizes he
is lost. He calls down to a man riding a camel below him and asks where he is.
The man replies “You’re 42 degrees and 12 minutes, 21.2 seconds north, 122 degrees ,
10 minutes west, 212 meters above sea level, heading due east by north east.”
“Thanks,” replies the balloonist. “By the way, are you a data analyst?”
“Yes,” replies the man, “how did you know?”
“Everything you told me was totally accurate, you gave me way more information
than I needed and I still have no idea what I need to do.”
“I’m sorry,” replied the camel-riding analyst. “By the way, are you a company
manager?”
“Yes,” said the balloonist, “how did you know?”
“Well,” replied the analyst, “You’ve got no idea where you are, no idea what direction
you’re heading in, you got yourself into this fix by blowing a load of hot air, and now
you expect me to get you out of it.”

5. “ Everyone clapped after my
presentation, but month later, nothing
happened as result of my analysis! ”
- Analyst
“ I got a bunch of great data, but
there was no insights! ”
- Business

6. So What’s the Problem?

7. “ Analyst have access to all 3, where CXO
have access to none. “

8. What can you do?

9. #1 Ask for the purpose of the analysis

10. #2 Tailor to your audience
Always include in every analysis:
1. Insights summary
2. Recommendation
3. Business impact

11. #3 Control the interpretation

12. #4 Follow up with the decision maker
Was the decision maker at your presentation?

13. Backup

14. Let’s Analyze

15. Let’s Analyze