Essential Skill Analysts Often Neglect—Don’t Be One of Them

When I first started out as an analyst, like many others, I was laser-focused on building my technical skills. I spent countless hours studying Maths and Statistics, diving deep into Data Science and Machine Learning courses, mastering Python and SQL, and working on projects to solidify my knowledge.

But here’s the thing—I eventually hit a wall. I had all the technical know-how, but I struggled to make an impact. My analyses were solid, but when it came to sharing my findings or persuading stakeholders to take action, I felt like I was speaking a different language. That’s when I realised something crucial: all the technical skills in the world won’t help you if you can’t communicate your insights effectively.

In fact, your ability to communicate—whether it’s writing a clear report, delivering a compelling presentation, or simply explaining a complex concept in plain language—will be your strongest tool in driving progress, both for your business and your career.

Why am I telling you this? Because too many talented people neglect this vital skill. We often avoid learning to write or present because these skills are hard, and they don’t seem as immediately rewarding as technical ones. But trust me, communication is a muscle you can’t afford to ignore.

Why Communication?

The backend of your work is your technical skills. The frontend is your communication skills. If you want to succeed in analytics, becoming an expert in both is imperative. Mastering both allows you to uncover the right insights and ensure they’re acted upon. In other words, you will create value.

I know this isn’t really what you want to hear.

Writing or public speaking isn’t nearly as exciting as learning Machine Learning or AI.

When I was learning, I spent countless hours on Python and ML courses. It was fun! I was tinkering with game data and creating models to optimise my fitness goals.

But that wasn’t enough.

And because it’s fun, everyone’s doing it.

But what about when you’re ghosted by recruiters or can’t persuade colleagues to act on your findings? Not so fun anymore, right?

What I realised was that I was unable to properly market myself or my work. I could do amazing things with data, but without the ability to communicate, none of it mattered.

Again, Why Communication?

The final step of a project often is the most communication-intensive, and its easy to see it as a boring hurdle between you and your next exciting challenge- whether thats diving into a new investigation or building a fresh model. But rushing through this step? That’s a problem.

Why?

Because all your hard work up to this point hinges on your ability to sell your findings to key stakeholders. Without a persuasive report and a strong presentation, your insights may never see the light of day. And when that happens, the value of those hours of laborious work is diminished, if not lost entirely.

How Do Analysts Communicate?

As an analyst, whether you’re delivering presentations, crafting a report, or creating data visualisations, how you communicate your insights can make or break your impact. Let’s dive into five essential things to keep in mind to ensure your message lands.

5 Essentials for Powerful Communication

1) Think about your Audience

Every audience is different, and your job is to make sure your message hits the mark. By tailoring your work to their knowledge and goals, you can choose the right narrative and level of detail to ensure they not only understand, but care about what you’re saying.

Ask yourself:

1. What are they trying to achieve?
2. How much do they know about the topic?
3. How can you keep them engaged?
4. What format do they prefer – reports, presentations?
5. What worries or challenges are they facing?

These questions can help you connect with your audience, and ensure your communication is more impactful and relevant to their needs.

2) Storytelling

Let’s face it- attention spans are getting shorter by day. We’re all guilty of it. Should you finish reading this article, or scroll through cat videos for a quick dopamine hit?

With so many distractions pulling at us, your ability to grab and retain your audience’s attention has never been more important.

And that’s where storytelling comes in.

Think of it this way: you’re not just presenting data, you’re taking your audience on a journey. Start by showing them a problem that hits home. Then, guide them step-by-step to the solution. Stories work because they make information stick. They turn dry data into something your audience can feel, understand and remember.

How to Use Storytelling Effectively:

1. Start with a Hook: Open with a bold statement, question, or a scenario your audience can relate to. Its all about piquing curiosity, and making your audience want to know more.
2. Build a Narrative: Structure your presentation or report like a story. It should follow a fairly linear path- introduce the problem, build some tension as you explore solutions, and then deliver the resolution with key insights and recommendations.
3. Make It Personal: The bit that makes your work unique and interesting is you- try to bring in your own experiences or some case studies whenever possible! This makes your message not just clearer, but also more engaging.
4. End with a Strong Conclusion: Just like a good book or film, your story needs a strong ending. Summarise the key takeaways, reinforce the value of your insights, and leave your audience with clear next steps.

3) Keep it Simple and Brief

We’ve all been in that meeting where the presentation drags on, loaded with jargon and endless slides, and before you know it, you’ve switched to autopilot. Don’t be that presenter.

When it comes to communication, less is often more. The key is to respect your audience’s time and attention. Get to the point quickly and clearly. Strip away the fluff and focus on what really matters to them.

Don’t get me wrong- simplicity doesn’t mean dumbing things down. It means making your message accessible and easy to grasp. The more direct you are, the easier it is for your audience to follow along and maintain interest.

Tips for Keeping it Simple and Brief:

1. Prioritise Key Points: Focus on the most important insights or recommendations. What does your audience need to know? Lead with that.
2. Use Clear Language: Avoid jargon or overly technical terms unless you’re sure your audience is familiar with them. If you must use them, provide quick explanations.
3. Be Concise: Keep your sentences and explanations short. If you can say something in fewer words, do it.
4. Visuals Over Words: Where possible, use visuals like charts or graphs to convey complex ideas quickly and clearly.

4) Effective Data Visualisation

Imagine this: you’ve spent hours deep in the data, analysing every detail and uncovering insights that could make a real impact. But now, you’ve just got 5 to 30 minutes to share it all.

How do you make sure your hard work doesn’t get lost in translation?

That’s where data visualisation comes in.

Think of charts and graphs as your secret weapon- a way to turn all those complex ideas into digestible and actionable insights.

The better you are at creating clear, impactful visuals, the easier it is for others to see the value in your work.

Tips for Effective Data Visualisation

1. Keep it Simple: Your charts should be so clear that they almost explain themselves. If someone has to squint and ask questions to understand, its time to simplify.
2. One Clear Message: Each chart should drive home just one point. Don’t try to cram too much into one visual- pick a purpose and stick to it.
3. Use The Correct Tool: Charts are not all born equal. Bar charts, line graphs, scatter plots- each has its place. Make sure you’re using the one best fit for your story.
4. Use ”Ink” Sparingly: Once again, less is more. Strong visualisations say a lot with just a little. Focus on making your point with the least amount of “ink” possible- no 3D effects, please.
5. Stay Consistent: Consistency makes your work look polished and professional. If you’re using certain colours or chart types for a specific group or metric, stick with them throughout. It makes your work easier to follow and understand.

5) Be Transparent

Let’s be real- no dataset is perfect, and no analysis is without flaws. Being upfront about what your data can and can’t tell you isn’t just good practice; its how you build trust with your audience. When you’re transparent, you show that you’re not just cherry-picking the good stuff, but giving the full picture.

Transparency isn’t limited explaining your methods and acknowledging the gaps in your data. It’s about being open throughout your entire process- sharing the wins, the setbacks, and even admitting when you’re wrong. Here’s how to do it:

1. Keep It Real: People can spot BS a mile away. Be honest about what your data shows and what it doesn’t.
2. Own Your Work’s Limitations: Every piece of work has its constraints. Don’t shy away from discussing them- it makes your points stronger.
3. Cover The Full Story: The fails are just as important as the wins. A balanced view makes your work more credible.
4. Admit To Your Mistakes: Its tough to admit when you’re wrong, but doing so shows integrity and makes you more relatable.

Closing Notes

Technical skills are important- they open the door for you, but your communication skills push you through. Whether you’re analysing complex datasets or crafting a compelling narrative, remember that your ability to connect with others and convey insights is your most powerful tool.

Take a moment to reflect on how you communicate today, and how you can improve tomorrow. The impact you make depends on it.

If you’re serious about breaking into the field or levelling up your skills, its essential to build a strong foundation in technical abilities and industry knowledge as well. I’ve put together a guide on the 6 Things You Can Do to Become a Game Analyst. It covers everything from deconstructing games to building your technical skillset, ensuring you’re prepared for success.