Business Insights through Analytics Coaching
How does this all work?
Step 1: Free 30-minute Consultation and Data Health Check
We’ll start with a complimentary consultation and a short questionnaire to assess your business’s current “data health.” Together, we’ll identify what data you have, what might be missing, and what insights are possible. Based on this conversation, I’ll create a personalized data coaching plan tailored to your goals, technical comfort level, and business needs. This plan will outline pricing goals, data requirements, and potential analytics solutions.
Step 2: Custom Analysis & Coaching
Here’s where the real transformation begins. Every business is different, so this phase is completely tailored to you. It typically includes: (1) Data collection tools and templates to help you track the right information in the right format, (2) Custom analyses and visualizations (e.g., dashboards or spreadsheets) that highlight key performance insights, and (3) One-on-one coaching sessions to guide you through your data and ensure you feel confident using it. We’ll move at a pace that fits your business—sometimes allowing for time to gather new data between sessions. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of your business' data and have identified actionable insights to help you grow.
Step 3: Ongoing Support (Optional)
Once your data analysis systems are in place, you may not need continued help—but I’m always here if you do! Whether you want quarterly check-ins, annual analysis, or someone to handle updates and reporting, I offer flexible support options to fit your needs.
That's it! Three simple steps to better understand and power your business.
Example Packages
Local Business looking to Evaluate Profit Margins and Prepare for Taxes
Consists of one coaching session and small package of data products. The data products include spreadsheets for tracking expenses and income and a page of data summaries and visualizations. The coaching session is spent teaching the business owner how to input data into the spreadsheets (and ways to speed up that process), and how to understand the data insights into their spending and profits. Optional subsequent annual or quarterly analysis available.
Local Company looking to leverage Machine Learning/AI to Expand their Customer Base
Consists of five coaching sessions and a data product package that includes an in-depth machine learning geographic analysis. The data products include spreadsheets for tracking expenses, income, and customer data (all kept private or anonymized), and a data analysis which includes information on where the business has already potentially saturated the market and where they may want to target additional marketing efforts. It also includes a custom geographic machine learning model that produced the analytic results. The coaching sessions are spent exploring what data the business already has, identifying additional data to be collected, reviewing the results of the analysis, and teaching an employee at the business how to run the models and analytics for subsequent analyses. Optional subsequent annual or quarterly analysis available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the process for getting insights out of my business data?
We will meet for an initial free consultation, after which I will provide you with a data coaching plan that includes pricing. Once we have agreed on a plan, I will develop the required materials for your business analytics toolbox. Once finished, we will meet for a coaching session where I deliver the materials and teach you how to use and update them. If changes are required, we will repeat this cycle of development and coaching as needed. Simple changes may not require a full coaching session.
How much does it cost?
Prices start at $100+ per coaching session, and $50+ for supporting materials/products. In general, a simple small business use case (for example, 1-2 datasets and less than ten analytic visuals/results) runs $150-$1000, while more complex use cases (for example, multiple large datasets with an interactive dashboard) will cost more. After your first free session, you and I will agree on a package that meets your business and financial requirements.
Where do you provide services?
I am available both virtually and in-person. I provide in-person coaching or tutoring local to Blacksburg, Virginia, but charge a travel fee for travel over 20 minutes from Blacksburg town center (one-way).
Can I trust you with my sensitive data?
In today’s world, data can be used to hurt people. As a former federal contractor and hospital analyst who worked with sensitive personal health information, including personally identifiable information like names and birthdates, I am keenly aware how important it is to protect our data. If you have any concerns about the sensitivity of the data, I will work with you to anonymize or de-identify your data when possible, and will store the data securely. I will also delete old data and analysis on my system when requested. A data use contract for both of us to sign will be included as part of your plan. If needed, we may also discuss additional cybersecurity insurance options.
Is business analytics related to tax preparation?
Yes and no. Properly tracking your business expenses and income is one of the first steps to getting data insights out of your business, so it is part of my standard data analysis process. This is also data that you’re required to track for the IRS when you submit taxes, so having a good system for capturing that data benefits you with that too!
Is business analytics related to marketing?
Yes and no. I am not a marketing professional, but the insights gained from data analysis can enable you to develop a marketing approach that is more targeted and lower cost by informing you about your current spending and customer base.
Are you trying to sell me expensive software?
Absolutely not! My goal is to have you doing data analysis on your own using free tools (like Google sheets) or your existing business software. I will never promote an expensive product to you, but if your use case is more advanced, I may recommend some options for you to consider.
Why do I need business analytics?
Good data collection and analysis can help your business in multiple ways. First, it can make tax season easier (and we all need that!). Second, it can provide insights into the health of your business, and can help to identify areas of growth.
Will you provide data analytics assistance for other things besides businesses?
Absolutely! I’m also happy to teach your high-schooler how to do statistics for their science fair project, or tutor you in how to read charts and graphs, or assist with analysis for a research project. View my Student & Educational service offerings here.