"Charting the Future with Data" Panel Discussion RECAP 2023

At a recent talk on business analytics, three accomplished professionals in the field shared their insights and experiences. Guan Yu Lim, a Business Intelligence Manager at Amazon Web Services, Naden Jaime Isabel Koh, a Business Analyst at Point72, and Eunice Halim, a Business Analyst at Shopback, offered valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of business analytics.

Guan Yu began the discussion by highlighting that a career in business analytics isn't a linear path. He shared his journey, which unexpectedly led him from a background in statistics to his current role as a Business Intelligence Manager at Amazon Web Services. Throughout the session, he emphasized several times that as a business analyst, it's crucial to skillfully sift through data, extract important information, and effectively communicate it to stakeholders who may not possess the same technical proficiency as you do. He also encouraged the students to reach out to mentors and recruiters to understand the intricacies of various roles. 

Jaime, who had prior experience at banks like DBS and Deutsche, stressed the significance of data analysis in compliance monitoring and risk management. Her journey started with tasks akin to business analytics at DBS Bank, ultimately fueled by a fascination with machine learning and statistical modeling. She also shared about a passion project that she embarked on in her free time to gain a deeper understanding on Application Programming Interface (APIs). It featured a compilation of her favorite bubble tea spots along with an interactive map.

Eunice came from an economics background with a focus on policy analytics and transitioned from the government to the private sector. She spoke about her role in building and maintaining data visualization dashboards and business revenue forecasts.

The panelists discussed the types of data they work with. Guan Yu Lim handles various data sources, including CRM tools, pipelines, and project management data. Jaime analyzes historical borrowing trends and real-time stock market data, while Eunice focuses on customer behavior data to enhance retention.

Our speakers dealt with reconciling different methods and managing diverse stakeholders, as well as the challenge of aligning data sources and presentation styles across different countries.

Eunice anticipates the use of more modern languages and tools in analytics roles. Jaime predicts a shift from big data to machine learning models and the importance of data storytelling. Guan Yu Lim emphasized the significance of business analysts knowing the business inside out, shaping it with data, and making it more productive through prompt tooling.

The panelists emphasized that technical skills are fundamental but underscored the importance of communication, and the ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders. Project management skills and passion for the business were also highlighted. The experts stressed the importance of domain knowledge, as it differentiates candidates and makes them more adaptable to various industries. 

In conclusion, this business analytics talk provided valuable insights into the diverse career paths, challenges, and the evolving landscape of the industry. The shared experiences and advice from Guan Yu Lim, Naden Jaime Isabel Koh, and Eunice Halim offer valuable guidance for those aspiring to enter the field of business analytics.