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Analytics for Leaders

A data-driven culture starts at the top of an organization. Being data-driven means building a distinct connection between an organization’s people, processes, and products/services with its markets and customers. As a leader, you are tasked with creating the vision, investing in the right talent and tools, empowering the organization to act, and holding the organization accountable for advancing its data strategy.

In this program (delivered virtually over four half-day sessions), we will provide participants with the knowledge to create a self-sustaining data-driven culture. Effective data-driven organizations demonstrate data literacy at all levels, use data to drive decisions, and most importantly have data-driven leadership characterized by:

  • An understanding of Analytics Strategy,
  • A familiarity with structured Problem Framing, and
  • A corporate-wide competency in Influencing with Data
Executives who take this course will leave with the ability to properly define an analytics strategy, scope the data needed to solve the problem, and best practices to visualize and communicate through data.

Analytics for Leaders was  featured by Fortune magazine as “One of ten science and business analytics courses that should be on every executive’s radar”.

This program is not currently accepting registrations. Please join our mailing list to learn about other programs currently available, and/or the interest list to be notified the next time it is offered.

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Key Learnings

Developing an Analytics Strategy – case studies of success in analytics, types of analytics and their application to problems in business, and properly aligning talent and resources to maximize ROI.
Problem Framing – provide a framework for the problem-solving skills needed by data leaders to make sure they are answering the right question and doing so in an effective and efficient way.
Influencing with Data - discuss common mistakes, and best practices in data visualization, and how to craft a story to influence through visual analytics.

Meet the Faculty

Paula Payton Headshot
Paula Payton, Ph.D.
Adjunct Associate Teaching Professor, Wake Forest School of Business
Wake Forest University
Shannon McKeen
Shannon McKeen
Professor of the Practice & Executive Director for the Center for Analytics Impact, Wake Forest School of Business
Wake Forest University
Elizabeth Ricks
Elizabeth Ricks
Visiting Associate Professor, Analytics, and Digital Marketing Faculty
Wake Forest University

Additional Information

Who should attend?

This program is designed for executives, leaders, managers, and directors wanting to learn more about building a data-driven culture and gaining the strategic perspective needed to enhance organizational growth, profitability, and competitiveness. This program assumes basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

Dates, Location, Schedule

Analytics for Leaders is offered in four sessions. Each session will be offered virtually. Prior to the program date, a Zoom link will be provided to all attendees to access this instructor-led curriculum.

Session 1- Developing an Analytics Strategy 

  • Data at the Executive Level – What is the Value Proposition?
  • What Do I Need to Know to be an Effective Leader in a Data Driven Organization?
  • Understanding Data Capabilities & Avoiding the Data Minefield
  • Creating a Sustainable Data Culture

Session 2- Problem Framing: Assessing and Identifying the Problem 

  • How to assess, define, and identify the real problem in a way that leads to satisfactory outcomes.
  • Why Structure is Needed
  • Problem Types
  • Solving Analytical Problems

Session 3- Problem Framing: Problem Solving Frameworks 

  • How to solve the properly framed problem in a structured way.
  • The 6 Steps
  • Solving the Problem is Not the Final Step

Session 4- Influencing with Data 

  • Analyzing your audience and the business context
  • Visualizing your data in a way that makes sense
  • Designing graphs and slides that bring your story to life
  • How to prioritize your efforts under deadlines and time constraint
Cost

The cost of the next iteration of this program is $1950 includes materials, and is due in full at time of registration.

Wake Forest University alumni, faculty, and staff receive a 25% tuition discount.

If multiple participants are interested in attending from your organization, please contact us for multi-attendee discount information.

Please contact executivewake@wfu.edu for more details.

Materials

Course materials are included in the cost of tuition. Course materials will be distributed electronically in advance of the program start date.

Participants must have a laptop or tablet computer to access course materials and should have access to Microsoft Excel.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

Program Cancellation

This course is offered contingent upon sufficient enrollment. If a course must be canceled, all registered participants will be notified at least five (5) calendar days before the course’s start date. All registered participants will receive a 100% tuition refund. No fees will be charged for canceled courses.

Individual Cancellation – Refund Policy

Prospective participants who withdraw at least 10 days prior to the start of a course will receive a full refund of tuition paid.

Contact Us

For more information, or to speak with a program adviser, please send an email to executivewake@wfu.edu

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