5 Steps for Embedding a Data-led Culture
For most organisations, data offers a route to improvement via clear goals and progress tracking. But success is as much about mindset as having the right technology.
Data is a vital part of both efficient day-to-day operations and big transformation projects, such as reaching net zero. But how can companies build faith in their data and embed an appreciation for its importance at the heart of the business?
1. Incentivise the top team
Changing the way the top team — and potentially others — are incentivised can make a huge difference in the way people think. Shifting incentives and including specific metrics in annual objectives sends a clear message about what matters to the business. This is particularly important for projects where behaviour change is a big part of the work, such as working towards net zero emissions.
2. Treat data like health and safety
As one Slalom client stated at Salesforce’s recent World Tour event in London, health and safety is often only top of mind because it’s constantly mentioned. In the same vein, our client constantly shares data tips internally — as well as the odd horror story about breaches and losses — to emphasise why data is so important to the business.
3. Use personas and workshops
Using personas — such as data creators — can help illustrate the sort of behaviours you’d like to see exhibited around data while workshops can help explain the reasoning behind these changes and improve understanding of what’s required.
4. Focus on trust, ease of use, and ownership
At the recent Salesforce World Tour event, Richard Butler — Head of Data Science at Slalom UK — said that three things are crucial if a business is to be truly data driven:
- Everyone in the business needs to be able to find what they need in the data.
- They need to be able to trust and use the data.
- You need to build a culture where everyone feels responsible for the data.
5. Embrace automation
Jantzen Bridges, Salesforce General Manager at Slalom, said that manual data collection slows things down and can dent trust as a result. The average time for impact data to be manually collected, reconciled, and sent off for publishing is generally between four and six weeks. For some of Slalom’s clients, it can take five to 10-person teams up to 16 weeks to collect the data. Bridges said the priority needs to be getting data that’s accurate, real, trustable, and useable. Automation can help speed up the process, increasing trust and confidence.
Conclusion
A data-led culture can take a while to become fully embedded, but it’s a non-negotiable for businesses wanting to realise the true power of data. Our teams work closely with clients to ensure the right culture and mindset is developed via simple steps and small changes to the way teams work.
By placing Salesforce’s Net Zero Cloud at the centre of your ESG program, Slalom can help you create a culture of innovation and action, using comprehensive and easy reporting to provide the fastest possible path to net zero emissions.
Slalom is a global consulting firm that helps people and organisations dream bigger, move faster, and build better tomorrows for all. Learn more and reach out today.
