DATA VISUALIZATION: A BUSINESS FRONTLINER
How does Data Visualization act as an aid for Companies and Businesses?
WHY FRONTLINER?
From dictionary.com, The term Frontliner was used in the late 1800s to refer to soldiers fighting on the frontline of combat, experiencing the most immediate, intense action with the enemy. The term was metaphorically extended to people positioned at other forefronts of an enterprise — that is, at the most important or prominent position.
This word has been widely used since the Covid pandemic. Frontliners for me are heroes, going their way to help people in need. Here, I want to help you see how data visualization acts as a fronliner for businesses and companies. We will explore which areas they could help a company rise up and continue to grow.
WHAT IS DATA VISUALIZATION ANYWAY?
The representation of data or information in a graph, map, or other visual format is known as data visualization. It uses images to convey the data’s relationships. This is important because it makes it easier to spot trends and patterns. The main aim is to visualize data and statistics and interpret the displays in order to gather information.
THROUGH THE EYE OF A VISUAL LEARNER
A visual learner is someone who learns best through visual means. They prefer looking at things to absorb information rather than listening to it (auditory) or using their hands (kinesthetic) as stated by Indeed.com. I myself, is a visual learner. I can easily recognize and remember things through pictures or by sight. To effectively interpret information, Visual learners can easily view knowledge using graphs, charts, maps, diagrams, and other types of visual stimulation. This is one of the reasons why I highly appreciate data visualization and this is how it benefits me. I know there are a lot of ways that it can also help organizations and companies. Here are my top 3:
- HELP TELL STORIES
Who doesn’t love good storytelling as a child, with stunning images together with the storyteller’s delivery? We live in a visual world. Charts, blocks of text, and even presentations can’t tell stories as images can. Data storytelling is the process of translating data analysis results into a tale that helps business people or stakeholders to understand and insights from the data to develop a business plan and drive a decision and drive them to make an action.
2. REVEALS STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
The first thing that came into mind when it comes to analyzing strengths and weaknesses is the SWOT analysis. A SWOT analysis helps find the best match between environmental trends (opportunities and threats) and internal capabilities. This analysis aids in identifying one’s strengths and weaknesses and from there, opportunities and threats could be identified. Data visualization can also be like this. Through the graphs and charts, we are able to see the strengths of an organization and also figure out its weakness. With that said, a successful strategy is one that capitalizes on an organization’s opportunities by leveraging its strengths, while minimizing risks or correcting or compensating for weaknesses.
3. LEARN FROM THE PAST, ASSESS WHERE YOU’RE AT, AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THE FUTURE
I think the title for this point says it all. Through data visualization, we are able to learn from past experiences, assess how’s the business going right now, thus can give us the power so we can decide what’s going to happen in the future. Data visualization speeds up decision-making and allows audiences to gain a deeper understanding of patterns and trends.
Surely, there are more ways that data visualization can surely help as a frontliner would do in helping someone in need. I highly recommend utilizing this powerful tool that may give an edge to a company since nowadays, most things are fast-paced. It’s either we adapt or get left behind. Data visualization is truly a front liner for businesses and companies.