Nde - A Game Plan for Success in Data Analytics: 5 Simple steps to help you differentiate yourself, escape the rat race and win big working with data

Table of Contents

YOUR 5-POINT GAME PLAN FOR SUCCESS

1. MASTER EXCEL

2. CONQUER SQL

3. TAME DATA WAREHOUSING

4. PICKUP CODING

5. CONTINUE ADAPTING

A Game Plan for Success in Data Analytics

2015 by Fru N. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying form without written permission of the author, Fru Nde.

Every effort has been made in the preparation of this book to ensure the accuracy of the information presented. However, the information contained in this books is sold without warranty, either express or implied. Neither the author, nor the publishing company, and its dealer and distributors will be held liable for any damages caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this book.

First Edition

Printed in the, United States of America

DEDICATION

In Africa, there is proverb that says, It takes a village to raise a child. I have certainly been raised in good hands by a village, by my family, friends and by anyone whose paths have crossed with mine.

I wish to dedicate this book to everyone that is dear to me.

Even more so, I wish to dedicate this book to my mom, dad, and siblings who have nurtured and stood steadfastly beside me every step of the way.

Thank you for your love, support and continued guidance.

Fru N.

A GAME PLAN FOR SUCCESS IN DATA ANALYTICS

FRU NDE

www.nextgenglb.com

NEXTGEN GLOBAL

INTRODUCTION

The world today is awash with data. Companies have and are investing great amount of resources collecting and storing vast amounts of data. With this data sitting on companies data farms, there is now a great need to employ Data Professionals (a.k.a Data Ninjas) who can come in and make sense of this data.

MOTIVATION

I recently had the privilege of being invited along with some of my peers to speak with a group of students pursuing a Masters degree in Business Analytics and Big Data at the University Of Minnesota Carlson School Of Management in Minnesota.

The discussion was about Analytics and options for students in the Master Program looking to make a career out of working with data. The discussions we had in the panel session was very lively and engaging; and the enthusiasm the students expressed reinforced my appreciation of how vibrant the field Data Analytics is and how important it is for those who want to get into the field to have a game plan for success.

After further discussing the topic of what it takes to be a data professional with peers, what skills are required to start, and what steps beginners can take to get into the field, our conversation precipitated thoughts which eventually led to the writing of this book on those topics.

EXPECTATION

This book, as a whole, is NOT intended to be a technical book. Even though some technical concepts will be discussed, you will not, for example, learn how to use Excel by reading this book. Instead, resources will be provided at the end of each chapter to help you follow up and do a more in-depth study of the proposed topics.

Within this book, I will make the case for why you should learn Excel. The same approach applies with other concepts such as SQL, Data warehousing, ETL and Programming. The list of resources provided at the end of each chapter are intended for you to then follow up and do more in-depth study of the concepts on your own.

WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR?

This book was created as an overview of some of the most common and basic tools used in Data Analytics today. As such, it is geared toward new users who are looking to get high level summaries of the concepts, and more especially, users who are looking for resources and pointers to get started. For more advanced readers, the resource links that have been included at the end of each chapter can still be very valuable as a point of reference or as an avenue to find other new resources that can help polish up on certain specific areas.

We hope the content of this book, along with the references and resource links provided, will help and encourage newcomers to get a better understanding of some of the skills required for Data Analytics. We also hope that the material will guide and encourage you to take that next step in your career either by securing a new job, making a career change, getting more skilled or just going on to pursuing that promotion you have been yearning for in the field of Data Analytics.

WHAT DO I BRING TO THE TABLE?

Having had a solid background helping companies transform their data asset into information, I have been fortunate over my career to work with several small, midsized and Fortune 500 companies.

In such engagements, I have leveraged tools as simple as MS Excel spreadsheets on the one end, to more advanced tools like SQL and Programming on the other end in order to build complex data integration, data warehousing and data analytics solutions for businesses. In all these experiences, I have been witness to both the good and bad sides of working with data. But, the common and most promising lesson I have learned is that, the processes and skills needed to get in the game are not that complicated.

With a bit of effort and dedication, anybody should be able to get in and excel in the field of data analytics. My hope in this guide is to leverage my experiences gained from working in the trenches analyzing data, to inform readers and provide a simple 5 point game plan for success.

WHAT DOES THIS BOOK OFFER?

This book offers a survey of the Data Analytics landscape (for beginners) and presents a slice of the tools and the skillsets that can help individuals transform data into information. This would include discussing concepts and tools like MS Excel, SQL, Data Warehousing, Programming and Change.

After reading, you would be provided with empowering resources (at the end of each chapter) that can help you gain the skills necessary to take on the role of analyzing data confidently.

What this book is NOT about

Being a good data professional is about using technology to solve business problems. As you start and mature in the space of data analytics, you may find yourself talking to individuals or working for companies who try to push you into learning technology X because they think it is superior to Y, or vice versa. Or they may say technology A is dead in favor of technology B.

Some might even say Why Excel? or Why SQL? My tool is better. Choose mine!

Of course, the point of this book is not to sell you on any individual technology or vendor, but to expose you to the fundamental industry trends and concepts as far as data analytics is concerned. The specific technology tool you end up using really isnt the focus.

A good analogy I have seen to describe this is the good old fishing parable with a slight twist.

In this book, I will teach you about fishing, why you should learn how to fish for yourself, and provide resources for places where you can go learn specific fishing techniques. But I will not teach you how to use a particular fishing rod. That is up to you to learn, using books, links, videos and all the other resources that have been provided here or that available online, at the bookstore, or in libraries.