The LBS Voyage: Data Analy-TICKS!

I have never liked computers that much, even when I was much younger, I remember thinking when we got our first desktop- “What is this humongous appliance with an ugly big black face!” I was not a fan. Though it had some good uses amongst many others like playing games, listening to music, and reading the encyclopedia. However, when any issue arose with it, my hands with straight to the power button to turn it off and I probably was not going back to it for the next two days. I still am not sure what triggered this fear of using computer devices, nonetheless, I am fully aware that managing computers and software are not top on my favourite to-do list. Well, this is the 21st century and we live in a digital world, so I have to fear my fears.

Now, I have this brand-new computer challenge to deal with in the course of Data Analytics as part of my MBA program at Lagos Business School (LBS). Data Analytics is an essential course for the MBA because business owners and managers need to understand and know how to analyse the data of their organization. Data Analytics is crucial for today’s modern business to make informed data-driven decisions, stay competitive in the marketplace, and measure company performance. Tools and Software such as Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, Python, R, and even AI and big data are being used by today’s leading organizations and Fortune 500 companies.

After our third session, I began to hear of all these modern data tools and software that I would need to learn as the course progressed. Even SQL (Structured Query Language) and PostgreSQL, some strange-looking application that looks like something from the Matrix movie or the 70s (OK ok, I guess that is too much exaggeration) but still it is all a bit strange for someone with no prior knowledge in database or computer programming. Thankfully, I’m not alone and I have amazing colleagues who are willing to guide me through this learning process like Professor Theo and Dr David as I fondly call them. It is quite funny that I thought that mastering Microsoft Excel was going to be the only hurdle in my data analytics course that I would have to overcome. I was so wrong!

Nevertheless, “This is LBS” as Professor Bongo said during one of the lectures, so I am determined to learn all I can so I can apply it in my business and future work endeavours. Yes, it is challenging. Yes, it can get confusing and yes it TICKS ME OFF sometimes, but that is all part of the learning journey. We all have the capacity to grow and learn new things with the power of the human mind.

Truly, I choose to believe that nothing is difficult; you just need to train the mind. When it is all said and done, I believe data analytics will be one of the feathers in my cap as I continue to press through and sail to the finish of my Lagos Business School voyage.

#MMBA5