How to Learn Business Analytics

Business Analytics is a group of technologies and disciplines used to solve business problems. These professionals work with quantitative methods, statistical models, and data analysis to explore an organization’s data so that the insights found can be used to drive the decision-making process. The number of options for learning business analytics might be overwhelming at first glance. There are books, video tutorials, classes, and more to choose from; it all depends on your learning style and personal preferences. 

Here, we’ll discuss the various methods of learning business analytics so you can make an informed decision about how you’d like to get started.

What is Business Analytics?

Business Analytics is a group of technologies and disciplines, such as quantitative methods, statistical models, and data analysis, which are used to solve business problems. It relies on iteratively and methodologically exploring an organization’s data using statistical analysis techniques to make better, data-driven decisions. This involves a practical application of statistical analysis geared toward uncovering actionable recommendations.

Many companies view their data as a business asset and continue to explore ways to use it for a competitive advantage. To be successful with business analytics, an organization must have good quality data, as well as Business Analysts who not only understands the business but also the technologies needed to transform its data into insights. Business Analysts seek to draw concrete conclusions about a company by finding answers to questions such as why certain events happened, what is expected to occur in the future, and what actions can be done in the present.

Most business analytics tasks are descriptive, predictive, or prescriptive. Descriptive analytics involves analyzing historical data to discover how an organization could respond to specific variables. Predictive analytics examines historical data to predict the likelihood of specific future outcomes. Prescriptive analytics is a combination of descriptive and predictive analyses; it involves formulating a process with which users can anticipate what is expected to happen, when it will occur, and why it will transpire. Business Analysts rely on tools and skills such as data mining, association and sequence identification, text mining, data aggregation, forecasting, optimization, and data visualization to gather and present these data-driven insights.

Read more about what business analytics is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Business Analytics?

Business analytics is one of the most versatile skill sets you can bring to the professional arena. All businesses, from small startups to multinational companies, seek those with a background in business analytics who can work with data to solve complicated problems, devise useful business strategies, and clearly communicate with stakeholders. Most Business Analysts have a background working with technology and programming languages like C++ and Java, as well as various databases and testing methods. These individuals typically possess technical and business skills, making them high-demand among recruiters and employers. 

Business Analysts are typically good problem solvers. They can analyze problems and apply critical thinking to propose innovative solutions that consider variables such as market trends. These individuals also tend to have an analytical mindset, which allows them to apply statistical models to analyze large datasets. Their analytic skills help Business Analysts perform tasks like understanding consumer buying decisions and behaviors and using this information to formulate a marketing strategy.

Business Analysts are usually expert communicators. They can clearly communicate their data findings and present these insights to different teams on both the business and technical sides. This often requires adapting their communication style to best reach different audiences. These individuals also possess time-management skills to balance multiple project deadlines and perform under pressure.

In-Person Business Analytics Training

The most engaging and interactive way to learn business analytics is in the in-person format. For extroverted learners, in-person study not only provides a way to connect with other learners and network, but it also offers access to an instructor, who’s available to answer questions, offer guidance, and help you learn complicated analytics concepts. Another benefit of in-person study is that students can complete lessons in a computer lab with the most up-to-date software, programs, and applications. In-person coursework is generally the most expensive learning option and can also require the additional costs associated with commuting to and from campus. It also may require taking off work to attend regularly scheduled meetings, which is an important consideration for those with a busy work schedule.

Various in-person business analytics classes are available for individuals who want to find a learning option close to home. Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate is an applied, project-based course in which participants learn how to collect, wrangle, analyze, and visualize data. Students work with prescriptive and predictive analytics to examine case studies in this hands-on course. Noble also offers an in-person Data Analytics Technologies Bootcamp for individuals who want to learn how to use SQL, Tableau, and Excel for data analytics. 

In addition to the in-person business analytics classes available through Noble Desktop, other top educational providers also have in-person study options. WeCouldData’s Applied Business Intelligence Certificate is a 12-week program in which students receive training with tools like Power BI, SQL, Python, and Tableau to pursue a career as a Business Intelligence Analyst or Data Analyst. For those who are new to business analytics, NYIM Training’s Excel for Business Fundamentals is a good starting point. This seven-hour class provides introductory-level instruction on core formulas and functions, as well as how to create charts and tables.

Live Online Business Analytics Training

In addition to in-person classes, another excellent learning option for those who want to study business analytics is the live online learning format. Just like in-person study, these courses provide students with access to a live instructor, who’s available each class to provide guidance and clarification on complex analytics concepts. Since all coursework can be completed remotely, these courses allow students to study from the comfort of their home or office without battling rush-hour traffic or searching for parking for each class meeting. Although live online study does require that students attend regularly scheduled classes, which may mean taking time off work, this engaging learning format provides the same quality of instruction as classroom study without the hassle of driving across town for each class meeting. 

A variety of live online business analytics classes are currently available from Noble Desktop and other top educational providers. Noble’s live online SQL Bootcamp provides 18 hours of beginner-friendly instruction on how to write SQL code for retrieving and analyzing data. Although this class is taught in PostgreSQL, it applies to SQL Server, MySQL, and other relational databases. Noble’s Data Analytics Certificate is available in the live online environment as well. Participants receive instruction on analyzing and visualizing data, as well as working with databases and business intelligence skills. Tuition includes one-on-one mentoring, as well as the option of a free course retake for up to one year.

For those who are interested in beginner-level training with business analytics tools, NYIM Training offers Excel for Business Bootcamp. This 21-hour class covers both basic and advanced Excel techniques, such as working with macros, VLOOKUP, and PivotTables. NYIM Training also provides SQL instruction in its SQL Level 1 course. Those enrolled in this eight-hour class learn relational database fundamentals, such as how to write SQL queries and retrieve data from databases. In addition, beginner-friendly PowerPoint instruction is available from NYC Career Centers. Their PowerPoint Bootcamp is a two-day course in which students learn how to design professional-grade presentations using reusable templates. Students receive instruction on inserting charts, collaborating, and working with images, among other skills.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

Perhaps you want to study business analytics but don’t feel ready to dive into a full course. If this sounds like you, and you’re looking for an overview of business analytics, the good news is you can get started learning for free online with Noble Desktop’s Intro to SQL. This hour-long course is designed for those who are new to working with structured query language and want to learn how to use this programming language to search for data stored in databases. This video provides an overview of what SQL is, why we use databases, and why SQL remains a popular language across industries. A live demo is also included that illustrates how to work with a database and code SQL queries.

Other educational providers also offer free online beginner-friendly business analytics courses: The University of Michigan offers Introduction to Data Analytics for Managers, which is available via edX. Participants in this introductory-level, six-week course work with hands-on exercises, case studies, and lectures for an overview of how data analytics can be applied to business. Instruction is also provided on how to use the graphical development environment instead of complex coding, as well as how to perform data science tasks and interpret the data findings. For those who want to learn more about working with customer data, Wharton University’s Customer Analytics is available via Coursera. Participants in this free five-week class have access to a range of readings and quizzes, as well as 34 videos that provide instruction on working with predictive, descriptive, and prescriptive analytics in the real world with enterprises like Amazon and Google.

LinkedIn Learning’s Become a Business Analytics Expert is just one of more than 16,000 courses in the LinkedIn library that’s available for free for those who have a premium LinkedIn account. Over the course of this 10.5-hour introductory-level course, participants complete 10 modules that provide an overview of the concepts, techniques, and tools necessary to become a Business Analyst. All students receive instruction on topics like meta-analysis, logistic regression and data reduction with Excel and R, and forecasting.

Read more about free business analytics videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand Business Analytics Classes

Another popular way to learn about business analytics is through self-paced coursework. Whereas in-person and live online courses are conducted in real-time, asynchronous content is pre-recorded. This means it’s accessible at any time and from any location. Those following along with lessons can pause and rewind as often as necessary to facilitate note-taking and rewatch videos to brush up on skills and concepts. Often, self-paced training material is a much more affordable study option than classes that meet in real-time; some content is even posted for free from top educational providers like Noble Desktop, Coursera, and Udemy. 

One important consideration with on-demand business analytics training is that it doesn’t provide access to an instructor. This is why self-paced content is most suited for those who are new to business analytics and are looking for an overview of this field. For more advanced instruction or to learn skills you’ll need in a professional setting, live online or in-person business analytics classes may be a better option. In addition, because of how much online content is available, it can be difficult to figure out which is the most up-to-date and relevant, and which is dated. 

On-demand business analytics training is available in Excel, SQL, Tableau, and other relevant analytics skills. Noble’s Top 10 Beginner Excel Tricks You Need to Know provides an hour of instruction on beginner-friendly Excel skills, such as working with autofill, charts, data validation, and shortcuts. For those who want to learn SQL, Udacity’s Learn SQL is a two-month course that can be purchased as a platform subscription. Participants learn how to use SQL to join tables, clean data, write queries, and manage relational and non-relational databases. Self-paced Tableau courses are also available. Skillsoft’s Introduction to Tableau Bootcamp provides nine hours of video instruction on creating data visualizations using Tableau. Those enrolled in this platform subscription course learn how to create dashboards and manipulate data as well. 

Which Learning Method is Right for Me?

With so many different resources available to help beginners learn business analytics, you might not be certain which one is best for you. Since everyone has different learning styles and preferences, so you can experiment with multiple tools to see which one feels right for you. One of the great things about directing your own learning is that you get to pick which combination of tools you prefer rather than having to stick with what a teacher chooses.

It’s also essential to consider your current schedule before selecting a learning method. If you’re balancing responsibilities like a full-time job, travel, or family commitments, you may not be able to devote time to a structured course that requires you to attend at the same time every day. In this case, a self-paced class or video tutorials may be a better study option since you can access them when your schedule allows. On the other hand, those with a more flexible schedule may prefer a structured course offered in-person or live online. 

Why Learn Business Analytics?

A background in business analytics is currently one of the most in-demand skills employers seek in candidates. Because the digital world continues to evolve and grow, more professional opportunities are available for those with business analytics training to make sense of it all. Each engagement and customer transaction that occurs in cyberspace leaves behind a trail of information that can be profitable for those with a background in analytics. 

Virtual transactions and engagement records consist of data streams of objective facts about customers. These offer insights into customer activities, purchases, and interests. Companies that understand the value of this data rely on Business Analysts to find and analyze this information, as well as to propose ways the organization can profit from this knowledge. In addition to the valuable information it provides about customer patterns, business analysis can also offer insights into whether a business may be in a position to expand, as well as how effective its internal procedures are for product launches.

Even though business analytics is a relatively new field, the process of using mathematics to analyze measurements to make business improvements has been used since at least the nineteenth century, when Henry Ford used it to monitor the time employees needed to build each component of his cars. Currently, business analytics is used by many in the tech sector. As more data becomes available to businesses every day, this field is expected to continue its rapid growth.

Read more about why you should learn business analytics.

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost 

If you’re new to business analytics, you may wonder how difficult it will be to become a skilled Business Analyst. Technically speaking, business analytics isn’t considered an especially difficult field. Nearly anyone with a math background can train to become a Business Analyst. However, this field draws on more than just technical skills. Most successful Business Analysts also have a background in logic, business strategy, teamwork, and communication. In addition, many Business Analysts elect to complete postgraduate study, such as a master’s degree or a certificate in business analytics. This requires a solid understanding of fields like engineering, statistics, and science. The speed at which you learn business analytics skills will likely depend on your background working with data and data tools. The more familiar you are with statistical concepts and logic, the easier you may find it to learn business analytics.

Learning business analytics is an exciting process that draws from various tools, software, and applications. Business Analysts rely on these tools for tasks like creating decision models, tracking requirements, and managing projects. The following is a breakdown of some of the most commonly used tools for business analytics, as well as the cost associated with using them:

• Microsoft Office provides Business Analysts with several helpful applications and tools they will regularly need, such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Excel, in particular, is an essential tool for management tracking and is commonly used by mid-sized operations. Subscriptions to Office are available for businesses starting at $6/user/month for Business Basic. Microsoft 365 Apps for Business costs $8.25/user/month. Business Standard is offered for $12.50/user/month. Business Premium can be purchased for $22/user/month. In addition, a free Microsoft 365 trial is also available for those who want to get a feel for working with this suite before committing to purchase. 

• Tableau is the most widely used business intelligence platform currently available. This visual analytics platform was created to help people manage and explore data and to extract and share the insights they uncover. This powerful end-to-end analytics platform is available for different price points. Tableau Creator is offered for $70/user/month, Tableau Explorer costs $42/user/month, Tableau Viewer is $15/user/month, and Tableau Public is free to download. In addition, a free Tableau trial is also available for those who want to explore this product before purchasing it.

• SQL, or structured query language, is a domain-specific programming language used to maintain data from relational database management systems. It is available for free for Testers and Developers who intend to use it only for non-production purposes. Microsoft also offers a free trial of SQL Server 2022 public preview. 

Read about how difficult it is to learn business analytics.

Learn Business Analytics with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

If you want to study business analytics, Noble Desktop offers several excellent classes to prepare you to work as a Business Analyst. Noble’s Business Analyst Certificate is available in both the in-person and live online format. Participants in this hands-on course learn how to work with tools such as Tableau, SQL, PowerPoint, and Excel to analyze and visualize data. All participants receive live, project-based instruction from industry experts and can retake the course for up to one year to revisit the material.

For those who want to learn more about working with big data, Noble also has an in-person and live online Data Analytics Certificate. All participants receive one-on-one mentoring with tuition. This course is available in the full-time format that spans six weeks, as well as the part-time format of 24 weeks of evening classes. This project-based course covers core data analytics concepts and skills like collecting, wrangling, analyzing, and visualizing data. In addition, participants prepare for a career in business analytics or data analytics by reviewing case studies that incorporate both predictive and prescriptive analytics.

Those interested in comparing learning options can also browse Noble’s in-person and live online data analytics and data science classes to find the perfect class.

Key Insights

• Business Analytics involves using various disciplines, quantitative methods, statistical models, and technologies to solve business problems.
• If you want to study business analytics, you can choose from in-person and live online study, which occur in real-time, or asynchronous content, which is pre-recorded.
• Deciding which business analytics learning format is best for you will likely depend on factors such as your current work schedule, as well as your ability to attend in-person classes. For those balancing many commitments, self-paced study may be a more feasible learning path than in-person or live online coursework.
• You can receive comprehensive business analytics training through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop.