________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Data
Clean, structured, compliant, and up-to-date data is the foundation of effective decision-making, but many manufacturers still struggle to achieve it
resistance is a major barrier, with employees and managers who are accustomed to traditional methods being skeptical of new data-driven approaches. This cultural gap often stems from a lack of data literacy and training. Many employees do not have the skills needed to interpret and use data effectively, which leads to a lack of confidence in their abilities and a return to outdated, intuition-based decision-making. This extends to supply chain or sales teams who, without the confidence to use data, may rely on established, but potentially outdated, relationships instead of leveraging insights to build more resilient networks.
Practical steps to overcome the challenges
So, while the issues I outline above aren’ t the only ones, they are the three most common reasons for the data disconnect we see across the manufacturing sector. How can we, as an industry, overcome these challenges?
1. Build a data-driven culture Leadership must champion the use of data in all decision-making processes. It’ s about fostering a culture where data is a shared asset and a common language. Encourage collaboration between IT, operations, and executive teams to break down data silos and ensure everyone understands the value of the information being collected. That data must also be shared across the relevant processes and with the right users to ensure it drives meaningful action within the organization.
2. Invest in targeted training To close the data literacy gap, manufacturers need to offer targeted training. This empowers employees to understand and interpret data relevant to their specific roles, enabling them to make smarter decisions and solve problems more effectively.
3. Implement a comprehensive data strategy A comprehensive data strategy is key to transforming raw data into a powerful asset. It begins with improving data quality through robust master data management, ensuring all information, from supplier to customer records, is accurate at the source. This trusted data then enables enhanced visibility, breaking down departmental silos to create a unified platform. This holistic view is crucial for proactively identifying supply chain risks and empowering data-driven sales efforts throughout the customer lifecycle. The final step is leveraging data for strategic insights, moving beyond simple reporting to advanced analytics that support critical decisions on everything from ESG compliance to market positioning.
Ultimately, a strong data strategy shifts an organization from a reactive to a proactive and predictive state, helping it to not just react to change, but to actively thrive in it. ■
Björn Gerster www. dnb. co. uk
Björn Gerster is European Lead Centre of Excellence, Manufacturing at Dun & Bradstreet. Dun & Bradstreet, a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, enables companies around the world to improve their business performance. Dun & Bradstreet’ s Data Cloud fuels solutions and delivers insights that empower customers to accelerate revenue, lower cost, mitigate risk, and transform their businesses. Since 1841, companies of every size have relied on Dun & Bradstreet to help them manage risk and reveal opportunity.
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