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Business analytics has become a critical competency in today's data-driven world. Organisations are relying more on data for decision-making; hence, they seek professionals who can analyse, interpret, and act on the insights learned from such data. Whether you are an experienced professional, trying to reskill or a fresher trying to enter into this field, having the right resources to learn business analytics would enable you to do everything for success. Here you can find an all-in-one guide to the best resources out there for mastering business analytics.
Online courses are flexible, easily accessible, and offer you the chance to learn the concept of business analytics at your own pace. Here are some top platforms offering high-quality courses in business analytics:
Through partnership with top universities and organizations across the globe, Coursera is able to offer every topic in business analytics. Some good courses on this particular topic include:
a. "Business Analytics Specialization": This course by Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, covers key areas such as descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics. It also has hands-on projects to apply your learning.
b. "Excel to MySQL: Analytic Techniques for Business" by Duke University: The course is focused on using Excel, Tableau, and MySQL in the analysis and visualization of data and hence offers quite a practical approach toward learning business analytics.
edX, similar to Coursera, hosts courses from top universities and institutions. Some of the more famous business analytics courses include:
a. "Business Analytics for Data-Driven Decision Making" by Boston University: This course helps to understand how to use analytics in making business decisions, covering topics from data mining to predictive modeling.
b. "Data Science and Analytics for Business" by Columbia University: The course emphasizes applications of data science techniques in business, with case studies and real-world applications.
Udemy has a vast array of courses at different levels of prices:
a. "Business Analytics and Intelligence for Managers": A course that introduces major analytics techniques and tools like Excel, SQL, and Power BI, making the course useful for managers and professionals.
b. "Business Analytics A-Z™: Excel, R & Tableau": It’s a course covering all the analytical tools and techniques with practical examples in Excel, R, and Tableau.
All the latest trends and insight for business analytics need to be kept up-to-date, which is critical for one's blog/website. Below are noted some blogs and websites.
a. KDnuggets: This is one of the most popular blog spots for data-science and analytically inclined professionals. It has a great series of articles and tutorials with enormous resources on business analytics, machine learning, and data visualization.
b. Harvard University Review: HBR publishes insight articles on various dimensions of Business Analytics in terms of case studies, research papers, and expert opinions. This clearly conveys the strategic impact that analytics can have on overall business.
c. Analytics Vidhya: Analytics Vidhya is a community-run educational portal where one can learn and explore business analytics and data science through tutorials and blogs. Its highly recommended by beginner learners and industry professionals.
d. DataCamp Blog: It also maintains some news blogs on data science and analytics with tutorials, use cases, and industry insights that could really be of help in keeping the business analytics up-to-date by the business analysts.
There is a great reservoir of free learning resources that could be found on YouTube. Here are some of the best channels in business analytics:
a. Simplilearn: Simplilearn has coverage over a wide area in terms of tutorials accessible for business analytics, from data visualization to predictive modeling and machine learning. It is well organized, and the tutorials are presented in a very understandable and comprehensive manner.
b. 365 Data Science: At this source, you could find tutorials and courses on the most diversified list of topics on data science and analytics that includes even business analytics. Their videos are very comprehensive and elaborate ways that business analytics theory is put into practice.
c. Analytics University: This channel contains tutorials on business analytics tools and techniques that include Excel, R, and Python. It is a good resource for learning in practice.
Workshops and boot camps, such as the following, could be very resourceful for gaining business analytics skills by engaging in hands-on activities:
a. General Assembly: General Assembly has some online and in-person boot camps within data analytics and business analytics. They are pretty intensive and really practical to equip you with different skills, which you could then potentially apply to your career.
b. Springboard: Springboard's Data Analytics Career Track incorporates Business Analytics into the program. It is mentored, personalized learning and career support.
c. Le Wagon: Le Wagon offers courses in Data Science Bootcamp, which hand out business analytics, data visualization, and machine learning. The Bootcamp is great for doing a career change into data science and analytics.
Not only does a certification course add to the knowledge count, but it also helps bring in the real value in the resume. Here are a few of the best certifications you can opt for:
a. Certified Business Analysis Professional: The CBAP certification, awarded by the International Institute of Business Analysis, is targeted at professionals with considerable experience in business analysis. Business process management, data analysis, and solution evaluation form just a few areas covered under this course.
b. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate: It's good for a beginner and needs you to know the basics of data, data analysis, cleaning, visualization, and analysis through different tools like Google Sheets and Tableau.
c. SAS Certified Statistical Business Analyst: This certification is for aspirants who want to validate their expertise in using SAS for business analytics. SAS Certified Statistical Business Analyst credentials encompass predictive modeling, clustering, and other advanced analytics techniques.
d. Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate: This certification expresses, ergo, your skills in analysing data, creating data visualizations, and generating business insights to Microsoft Power BI professionals.
Business analytics is going to be the enabler of success in the modern and data-driven world. Whether you want to become an analyst or are one but looking for upskilling, there is a huge mass of learning material out there that can help. From full-length online courses on Coursera, edX, and Udemy to the very enriching blogs from KDnuggets and Analytics Vidhya, YouTube channels, and other workshop sessions, you get everything in line with your learning style and professional needs.
Certifications such as CBAP, Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, and SAS Certified Statistical Business Analyst will add value to your credibility and job marketability within this field. Enabling you to tap into these rich resources will set you well on your way toward building a great foundation in business analytics and help you drive successful organizational decisions on data. The very act of relentless study and constant application will get you through challenging waters of business analytics most competently.
1. What is Business Analytics, and why is it important?
A: Business Analytics involves analyzing data to make informed business decisions. It is crucial because it helps organizations understand trends, predict outcomes, and make data-driven decisions to achieve better results.
2. Which online courses are best for learning Business Analytics?
A: Some of the top online courses include:
a. "Business Analytics Specialization" by Wharton School on Coursera
b. "Excel to MySQL: Analytic Techniques for Business" by Duke University on Coursera
c. "Business Analytics for Data-Driven Decision Making" by Boston University on edX
d. "Business Analytics A-Z™: Excel, R & Tableau" on Udemy
3. Are there free resources available for learning Business Analytics?
A: Yes, there are several free resources, such as tutorials on YouTube channels like Simplilearn, 365 Data Science, and Analytics University, as well as blogs like KDnuggets and Analytics Vidhya.
4. What certifications should someone consider for a career in Business Analytics?
A: Valuable certifications include:
a. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
b. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
c. SAS Certified Statistical Business Analyst
d. Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate
5. How can blogs and websites help in learning Business Analytics?
A: Blogs and websites offer up-to-date insights, tutorials, case studies, and expert opinions that help you stay informed about the latest trends and developments in the field.
