Business Analytics for Managers: Taking Business Intelligence Beyond Reporting

by Gert Laursen, Jesper Thorlund

World-class guidance for delivering the right decision support to the right people at the right time A vital blueprint for organizations that want to thrive in the competitive fray, Business Analytics for Managers presents a sustainable business analytics (BA) model focusing on the interaction of IT technology, strategy, business processes, and a broad spectrum of human competencies and organizational circumstances. Filled with examples and forward-thinking guidance from renowned BA leaders Gert Laursen and Jesper Thorlund, Business Analytics for Managers offers powerful techniques for making increasingly advanced use of information in order to survive any market conditions.

Genres: Business, Management, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 2010

Reviews

[Donn Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book that in the end didn't find its right audience in me, and if I may take a guess probably wouldn't find its right audience in many others. Though promising, I found its treatment of many topics a little too shallow for serious treatment of analytics concepts, which can be good for a an introductory text, but at the same time - oddly but true! - also too deep for an introductory text. The sweet spot in my mind would be for the text to be a little MORE shallow but shorter, but with links to accompanying texts or online resources (i.e. a good bibliography).

What I did find very useful though was the chapter on making sure analytic teams get the support they need, especially in terms of "backend" IT support and access, and how these teams may differ from the general "business" users, as I'm currently in a bind trying to find arguments to convince my IT team on the benefits of a different treatment of an analytics team with a strong technical bent (i.e. mine).

All in all, I would say that this book makes a good accompanying text but cannot stand on its own, and as an introduction isn't the best.

, which means it makes a good introductory text

[andy noble · Rating 3 out of 5]

Introduction to the topic

An academic text book. So not always easy to read. However it's not impossible to follow the ideas and thread of the argument. Useful for my assignment but not a read for pleasure

[Sam Motes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads as a business case for the Executive decision makers on the business justification for the Business Analyst role and their tools including dashboards, KPIs, and data warehouse infrastructure. It espouses a delivery model of think big, start small, and deliver fast to build quick wins and build momentum on delivery of projects.

[Manu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a very exciting read! Good for someone who is completely new in the world of analytics and business intelligence. Covers some basic frameworks around how strategy at corporate level is executed at operational/functional level which is supported by IT.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

At little dry, but I did like some of the examples and the idea of lead vs lag data.

[Lokesh Dhaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all managers related to analytics

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. Really not happy with sloppy typos.

[Jeff Shuck · Rating 2 out of 5]

A broad survey that probably better lends itself to a ten-page article. If you want a real analytics practicum, this ain’t it. Likely horribly outdated by now.