think like a business analyst in tech (3 core skills + solving case study)

Summary

In this informative video, the speaker, a former business analyst at Spotify, shares the top three skills essential for a successful career in tech as a business analyst: technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and strategic thinking with business acumen. The speaker provides practical advice on how to acquire these skills, including learning SQL for data manipulation and analysis, developing structured approaches to problem-solving, and cultivating a deep understanding of business strategies. The video is sponsored by GlassesUSA.com, offering affordable and stylish eyewear options for those who spend long hours in front of screens.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker graduated in 2019 and started as a business analyst at Spotify without a direct background in business analytics, highlighting the importance of learning on the job.
• 🛠️ Three key skills for a business analyst in tech are identified as technical skills, problem-solving skills, and strategic thinking with business sense.
• 💡 Technical skills, especially SQL, are crucial for pulling user information from databases to answer business questions quickly and efficiently.
• 📚 Learning SQL can start with free resources like Datacamp for beginners and leetcode for more experienced individuals looking to tackle interview questions.
• 📈 Data wrangling skills in Excel and Google Sheets are essential for organizing and visualizing raw data pulled from SQL queries.
• 🔍 Problem-solving skills involve breaking down ambiguous questions into smaller, structured pieces and using data to answer those pieces.
• 📊 Top-down communication is recommended for effectively conveying insights and recommendations, starting with the key message and then supporting details.
• 🧐 Watching mock case interviews and engaging in roles that require data-driven insights, such as consulting or market research, can help develop problem-solving skills.
• 🤔 Strategic thinking involves turning data into actionable business recommendations, considering the 'So What?' of each data point before diving into analysis.
• 🌐 Building business sense involves understanding different company functions and how they interplay, which can be achieved through regular conversations with cross-functional teams.
• 👓 The video is sponsored by GlassesUSA.com, which offers affordable and diverse eyewear options, including blue light blocking lenses beneficial for reducing eye strain.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial feeling on their first day at Spotify?

The speaker was excited but also scared because they didn't have a direct business analytics background and had to learn many things from scratch.

What are the three most important skills mentioned for a business analyst in tech?

The three most important skills are technical skills, problem-solving skills, and strategic thinking & business sense.

Why is SQL considered more important than Excel or Google Sheets for a business analyst in tech?

SQL is crucial because it allows the analyst to pull large amounts of user information from databases to answer complex business questions efficiently.

What is the recommended starting point for learning SQL for beginners?

For beginners, the speaker recommends starting with DataCamp's 'Intro to SQL' class, which is free and interactive.

How can someone with some SQL experience prepare for SQL test screens?

For those with some SQL experience, the speaker suggests practicing on websites like LeetCode or Interview Query, which offer real SQL interview questions from companies like Facebook and Google.

What are some essential Excel and Google Sheets skills for data wrangling?

Essential skills include using pivot tables, sumifs, vlookups, index/match, and understanding how to solve problems using these tools.

What is the general approach to solving ambiguous problems as a business analyst?

The approach involves breaking down the problem into smaller questions or pieces, using data to answer these questions, consolidating learnings into insights, and then providing business recommendations based on those insights.

Why is top-down communication important when presenting insights to a manager or in a presentation?

Top-down communication starts with the key message and then goes into supporting details, which helps in conveying the most important information clearly and concisely.

What is the main difference between good and great business analysts in terms of strategic thinking?

Great analysts are able to turn data into actionable insights that guide business recommendations, focusing on what the business can do with the data provided.

How can one develop strategic thinking and business sense?

Strategic thinking can be developed by always considering the 'So What?' of each data point before analysis, and business sense can be improved by having regular conversations with people from different teams to understand their perspectives and processes.

What is the benefit of using the 'So What?' exercise in strategic thinking?

The 'So What?' exercise forces one to think strategically about the implications of each data point before even analyzing the numbers, ensuring that insights are actionable and relevant to business decisions.