1. Delaying this hiring choice could put you behind the curve

Statistics indicate positions in data science will increase by 364,000 by 2020, a shift will result in more than 2.7 million open roles throughout the country.

Due to shortages, you may have a difficult time finding big data talent. From a long-term viewpoint, however, failing to hire these professionals could lead to a competitive disadvantage. The growing demand is a sign that more businesses view data science expertise as required, not optional.

2. Data Scientists Can Improve a Company’s Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity will likely be a priority for your firm in 2020. Hacks and data breaches could erode public trust, lead to regulatory fines, reduce the productivity of your workforce and more. Fortunately, data science could make cybersecurity better.

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For example, professionals could assist by applying machine learning to current cybersecurity strategies. Algorithms learn what’s normal for your network and understand what constitutes a concerning deviation. As an alternative, associated rule learning (ARL) takes automatic actions in response to particular anomalies.

3. Big Data Simplifies the Hiring Process

Hiring people — big data professionals or otherwise — isn’t easy. Some positions attract dozens or even hundreds of candidates, making it difficult to scrutinise every application. Data, however, can be a powerful tool for attracting and recruiting top talent.

A data analysis platform, for instance, could screen for desirable keywords, plus variations. Conversely, such a tool could remove candidates that don’t have required prerequisites, such as at least three years of experience or a valid driver’s license.

You may decide to hire big data talent to improve recruitment across all departments. Moreover, predictive analytics could uncover future trends in staffing.

Hiring can too often seem like a guessing game. If you bring big data professionals on board in 2020, they could cut down on the confusion. Even better, some of the analytics-related hiring benefits could cause growth that enhances business through 2020 and beyond.

4. Your Current Employees Likely Lack Data Literacy

One global study looked at recent patterns in big data talent decisions. It found that nearly two-thirds of potential employers ⁠— 59% ⁠— ranked job experience or an interview requiring a candidate to showcase their abilities as top indicators of a person’s data literacy. In contrast, only 18% claimed a science degree was the most significant factor.

This research revealed another interesting finding, too, which is that only 34% of companies provide data literacy training to their current employees. This statistic means preventable, data-specific mistakes occur regularly, or that employees often get tasked with responsibilities that fall outside their capabilities.

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Don’t assume your workers collectively possess enough tech literacy, especially if you have not taken steps to ensure they do. However, a positive outcome of hiring big data talent is that new workers can pass on their knowledge to the existing team, spurring a process that helps everyone improve.

5. Data Science Can Support Better Decision-Making

Business leaders make crucial decisions daily. Those instances are often challenging, but big data professionals could reduce the doubt that decision-makers often face.

For example, a CEO could ask for information that shows at what point an e-commerce shopper is most likely to abandon the purchasing process. Then, they could make confident decisions about whether to sign off on new features in the checkout process.

If an HR professional needs to decide whether a worker’s performance warrants a raise, they might ask a data science professional to pull up statistics about the employee’s productivity, lead generation and other specifics.

Data science does not predict the future with foolproof accuracy. However, it can reveal patterns and likely outcomes that may otherwise stay hidden.

6. Hiring Big Data Talent Could Help You Solve Pressing Problems

A problem-solving mindset could help your business succeed where competitors fail. Data analysis is often necessary to pinpoint what’s going wrong and why.

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In one example, a large Latin American mining company deployed a data analytics solution that indicated the quality of a finished product up to 20 hours in advance. Having such information could help a firm discover where breakdowns in quality occur.

If customers often buy from competitors due to better prices, big data professionals could help you implement a system that automatically determines when to adjust rates for optimal results. This approach eliminates manual tweaks and adjustments.

The Need for Data Science Professionals for 2020

The six reasons above, from improved cybersecurity to informed decision-making, illustrate compelling arguments for hiring big data talent. You should also anticipate benefits specific to your company. These realities make it smart to employ data analytics experts in 2020.