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Better data management is the beating heart of rapid business transformation

In this, we take a look at our latest 2021 Global data management research report and how how the pandemic has caused untold disruption but has also provided the platform for organizations to deliver rapid and effective business transformation.

Rapidly changing business to fit a rapidly changing world

The pandemic has forced businesses to reconsider their entire operating models. Massive disruption to supply chains and changing consumer behaviors have led organizations to consider both their agility and resilience.

Of the organizations we surveyed, 75 percent said they had seen a dramatic change in the behaviors of their customers. Typically, this was a digital transition with significant growth of eCommerce and the impact of home working providing the major impetus.
Organizations had to rapidly adapt to cope with the digital expansion and ensure they could keep their supply chains robust. There was also a large emphasis placed on deepening levels of customer insight in order to handle the changing attitudes and behaviors.

When asked about their current business priorities, unsurprisingly organizations cited customer experience (49%) and data security (46%) as their main focus. Managing talent (42%), maintaining operational resilience (40%) and reducing risk (39%) followed. Interestingly, the number of organizations looking to drive efficiencies dropped nearly 10 percent to 38 percent, signifying a shift to survival mode and a focus on the customer.

Accelerating digital transformation

Businesses, now more than ever, rely on digital channels for customer interaction and conversion, as well as many other aspects of their operations. To effectively drive this increase in digital effort businesses need accurate and reliable data.

Our study found that 72 percent of organizations said that an acceleration of digital transformation has made their business more reliant on data and data insights, and 67 percent said the pandemic has accelerated many of their data initiatives. The need for a data-driven digital operation has made companies realize how immature their data functions are. Eight-four percent of respondents say there has been more demand for data insights in their organizations.

A higher demand for data means a need for more investment in staffing and hiring talent with expertise in both data and data management tools. This also calls for more automated processes, the right technology, and data literacy programs. Trustworthy data, managed by intuitive data systems and support for data literacy programs, facilitates the transition to a highly digital operation.

A defining moment—data for good

The pandemic has also brought about usage of data in new ways. Consider how many politicians and public officials in the last year reference data daily. Data has played a critical role in assisting many in fighting Covid-19 and trying to determine the right response. This is a clear example of data being used for good.

Seventy-eight percent of respondents say Covid-19 is a defining moment for organizations to set up and use data for societal good where they can. Many organizations found ways to leverage data assets to assist public health and safety officials in combating Covid-19.

However, we believe that using data for good goes far beyond the pandemic. The research finds that 86 percent of business leaders are interested in ‘data for good’. Most notably this could mean increasing collaboration with other organizations to better support those in need. Our study showed that 77 percent of respondents say that in the wake of the pandemic, they would like to be able to use their data in some way for societal good.

Read the full report to learn what you can do today to leverage data to respond to the lasting effects of the global health crisis and prepare for tomorrow.

Get the research