Big Data For Small Business For Dummies

Part III

A Brave New World for Small Business

Top Five Tips for Partnering with an External Big Data Contractor

• It’s a good idea to already have a draft data strategy before you approach contractors. It helps you identify what you’re trying to achieve and informs your initial discussions with providers.
• If you really don’t know where to start, a big data consultant can help you devise your big data strategy and find the right company to carry out the data capture and analysis.
• You need a provider who understands exactly what you’re trying to achieve in your business. A contractor with a good understanding of your goals and challenges is much more likely to get you the data and insights you really need.
• Ask for very specific examples of who the provider has worked with, how the projects unfolded and, crucially, what results those clients saw as a result.
• Focus on the six key big data skills that I set out in Chapter 8. I also provide a list of recruitment questions which can easily be adapted to vet external contractors.

Find out more about overcoming the big data skills shortage at www.dummies.com/extras/bigdataforsmallbusiness.

In this part …

Move from data to insights to action.

Find out how to tap into big data skills and competencies.

Understand how demand for big ...