Turning Data into Executive Action

Insights and analysis to help leaders make better decisions, faster

Exec Insights helps senior leaders cut through data noise, focus on what matters, and drive real business improvement. We combine practical experience with clear analysis to provoke action, not just discussion.

Making Data Work for Senior Executives: Six Steps for Action, Not Perfection

Introduction: The Real Challenge Isn’t Data—It’s People

In every business I’ve worked with or for, from FTSE 250 giants to smaller operations, the biggest challenge in making data useful isn’t the technology or the numbers—it’s people. Senior executives are bombarded with dashboards, reports, and KPIs, but too often, these tools fail to drive real action. Why? Well, for a range of reasons, but one regular failure is the disconnect between zealous data analysts and time-poor executives who don't specify what is actually important to them.

The Case for “Good Enough” Data

Years ago, a Canadian boss of mine at Cable & Wireless shared a maxim that’s stuck with me:
“A good decision today is better than a perfect one tomorrow.”
It’s tempting to wait for the perfect dataset or the flawless dashboard, but in reality, that day rarely comes. Most of us “wing it” in our personal lives—tracking weight but not calories, reacting to problems rather than preventing them. Businesses do the same, focusing on annual targets and only digging deeper when something goes wrong.

Why Wait? Use What You Have

If you want to spot problems before they become crises, you need to use the data you have—imperfect as it may be. Waiting for perfection means missing opportunities to improve. The key is to act now, learn as you go, and keep refining your approach.

Six Steps to Actionable Data Insights

1. Start with a clear purpose

Don’t build dashboards for the sake of it. Begin with a real business question or pain point and keep it clear. Are you looking for a 2 point margin improvement, are you looking for 5% increase in customer satisfaction, etc. When you focus on what matters, data becomes a tool for action, not just decoration.

2. Launch, then improve

The first version of your dashboard doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be useful. Even a single, well-chosen metric can drive change. Think of it as a speedometer for your business—start simple, then add detail as you go.

3. Active senior sponsorship

Data initiatives fail without visible, ongoing support from the top. Until the initiative become business as usual, it is vital that senior sponsors actively support this new way of working, emphasising its role in delivering against the business strategy.

4. Make reviews formal and regular

It’s not enough to have dashboards and KPIs—what matters is the discipline of regular, focused review. As MIT researchers* put it, “Most companies simply do not deploy KPIs rigorously for review, or as drivers of change. They pay lip service to what they have declared their essential metrics. In practice, KPIs are regarded as ‘key’ in name only.” The difference comes when leaders set aside time to review progress, challenge assumptions, and agree actions—every single week.

5. Celebrate Progress

People need to see that their efforts matter. Mark milestones, celebrate improvements, and keep morale high. Don’t wait for year-end—recognise wins along the way to maintain momentum.

6. Review, refine, relaunch

As your data culture matures, your dashboards should evolve. Add new metrics, improve visualisations, and keep the process fresh. Continuous improvement is the goal—not a one-off project.

In summary

• Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Use the data you have, act now, and improve as you go.
• Senior sponsorship and regular reviews are non-negotiable for success.
• Celebrate progress and keep refining your approach—data-driven decision-making is a journey, not a destination.

Don’t Wait for Perfect Data: Why Executives Must Act Across the Silos

The Silo Problem: How Growth Breeds Fragmentation

As companies expand, their core functions — Sales, HR, Finance, Procurement — begin to drift apart. Each department, led by ambitious heads, pushes for specialised systems tailored to their needs. A new CRM here, an asset management platform there. Digital and IT teams, often under-resourced, struggle to keep pace and enforce cohesion.
Soon, the organisation is running on a patchwork of incompatible systems. HR and Finance speak different data languages. Procurement and Operations optimise for different outcomes. The business becomes siloed — not just in structure, but in insight.

ERP: A Costly Cure for Fragmentation

Many turn to ERP systems for integration, visibility, and control. But implementations are rarely straightforward. They take years, cost millions, and assume that out-of-the-box solutions will suffice. Customisation is discouraged — yet almost always required. Existing processes drive specification, leading to overruns and inflated spend.
Take the recent implementation setbacks at Birmingham City Council and Edinburgh University — a reminder of how difficult ERP alignment can be across diverse operations.

The Real Risk: Paralysis by Perfection

If you want to spot problems before they become crises, you need to use the data you have—imperfect as it may be. Waiting for perfection means missing opportunities to improve. The key is to act now, learn as you go, and keep refining your approach.Here’s the truth: you don’t need perfect data to make better decisions. You need the right datapoints, surfaced and connected to tell a story. Prioritisation is key.So what are the critical datapoints? Simply, they are those that allow you to track progress against your strategy — and should drive a more efficient, effective organisation.

Actionable Imperfection Beats Strategic Inertia

This isn’t about ignoring data integrity. It’s about recognising that actionable imperfection is better than strategic paralysis. Leaders must ask: What do I need to know today to move forward? Not: When will the data be perfect enough to act?
Organisations that thrive balance governance with agility. They use lightweight tools to connect insights. They empower decision-makers with good-enough data. And they understand that clarity doesn’t come from systems alone — it comes from asking the right questions.

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Want to see the bigger picture?

- Are you keen to extract the key datapoints that can help you run your organisation more effectively?- Do you have multiple data sources and want a holistic view of performance?- Would you benefit from a bird’s-eye perspective on what’s really happening across your business?If so, let’s have a conversation.

We’ll explore how Exec Insights can help surface what matters — and connect the dots across your organisation.