Northwood Advisors' Myron Weber Counsels Analysts: "Stop Being Evil"

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - Sep 10, 2012) - As Founder of Northwood Advisors, a business intelligence (BI) and decision systems advisory firm, and the voice of "The Real Time Decisions Webcast," Myron Weber leverages more than 20 years of diverse business experience and insights to support and implement clients' business intelligence strategies. In a recent blog post and podcast, Weber shared valuable advice to keep analysts from becoming a necessary evil in an organization.

"It's a natural part of business life that certain roles get more than their fair share of respect," says Weber. "Sales is always a candidate for Grade-A respect. Manufacturing, operations, professional services and marketing are also popular frontrunners. But that shouldn't discourage analysts from demanding the spotlight and the pats on the back they deserve for their role in contributing to a company's success."

Weber offers the following advice for analysts:

• Aspire to greater things. If your role consists mostly of data crunching, broaden your scope. Go beyond delivering metrics and KPIs. Reach past statistics and operations research. Own and drive better decision-making processes across the organization, and you'll carve out a more important role with heightened respect.
  
  
• Update your training. If you fancy yourself an analyst but Microsoft Excel is the only analysis software you've mastered, you're part of the problem. It's dated and limited, and your role in the company will be dated and limited. Train up or change your title.
  
  
• Be selective. Whether you're joining a company or riding out your tenure, be wary of companies where analysts aren't perceived to be offering real value. Get specific commitments about the analyst role, about company investments to support analytics and about the importance of the role within the organization.
  
  

The analyst role can be a force for good, for transformation and for the betterment of the company. Don't be a necessary evil. Please.

ABOUT NORTHWOOD ADVISORS: Based in Irvine, Calif., Northwood Advisors is a business intelligence and decision systems advisory firm that helps companies design and implement BI strategy, roadmap, governance and best practices for increased efficiency and greater ROI. Northwood Advisors' powerful on-site training and consulting program allows clients to create departmental alignment and mutual buy-in with key stakeholders of any business intelligence initiative to build a path of least resistance and most profitability. Northwood Advisors' training is unique, focused and implementable and will equip any team with the practical knowledge and tools for effective and sustainable business intelligence strategy, governance and roadmap. For more information, visit www.northwoodadvisors.com.