How Data Literacy Academy is transforming organisations

Building data confidence

We're collecting more data than ever, but let's be honest: most businesses struggle to do anything useful with it. The missing piece? Data literacy. The point isn’t rolling out fancy new tech. Real progress happens when data becomes part of how people think and make decisions.

Emma Crabtree from Let’s Talk Data recently caught a discussion where Greg Freeman and Katy Gooblar from Data Literacy Academy talked about the challenges organisations face with data literacy and how to overcome them.

Why does Data Literacy matter?

Everyone calls data "the new oil," but without the skills to refine it, it's just crude potential sitting there. Many companies think buying expensive technology is enough to become "data-driven," only to watch their shiny new tools gather dust.

As Greg Freeman put it pretty bluntly: "Before you can get value from data, people need to feel confident using it." Companies keep introducing dashboards and analytics without making sure employees actually know how to use them. The result? Wasted tools, poor decisions, and missed opportunities.

Katy Gooblar made another good point: "Data isn't just for analysts and engineers. The more people who feel comfortable using data, the more valuable it becomes." Yet, many employees still find data intimidating, and leadership teams often don't see data literacy as a priority.

How to break down the barriers

One big misconception is thinking data literacy is all about technical skills. It's really about making data part of everyday work. Organisations often hit resistance when trying to implement data literacy programmes, either from leadership (who see it as just another cost) or from employees (who worry they'll suddenly need to become data scientists).

Data Literacy Academy takes a different approach. Instead of treating data literacy as some isolated training exercise, they weave it into how teams already work. They focus on real-world challenges and show how data can actually solve them. When people see how data helps them make better decisions, they naturally engage with it more.

Why success goes beyond adoption rates

Many businesses just track how often people log into their data platforms. But adoption rates don't tell the whole story. Just because someone clicks into a dashboard doesn't mean they understand what they're looking at or use it to make better decisions.

Greg explained that true success comes down to outcomes: "The more data-literate an organisation becomes, the more value they'll get from data. That means better decision-making, more efficient processes, and ultimately, improved business performance."

He shared a story about a company that initially struggled with its data initiatives. Once they shifted focus to making data part of everyday business decisions rather than just another system to use, they saw real improvements in efficiency and even saved money.

It's leadership that needs to drive change

For data literacy to really take hold, it needs buy-in from the top. But as Katy pointed out, many Chief Data Officers struggle to get leadership on board. "If the CEO and CFO don't see data literacy as a priority, the CDO will always be fighting an uphill battle."

A key challenge is that leadership teams often view data as IT's responsibility rather than a business enabler. Data Literacy Academy works with organisations to shift this perspective, helping leadership teams connect data literacy to strategic goals like growth, efficiency, and competitiveness.

What does success actually look like?

When asked what success looks like, Greg highlighted two things:

First, bridging the knowledge gap. Many organisations have this disconnect between business leaders and data professionals. Business leaders don't get data, while data teams don't always understand business priorities. A good data literacy programme works to close this gap from both sides.

Second, create a culture of confidence. People should feel empowered to ask questions, challenge data, and use it in decision-making. "It's not just about training, it's about building confidence so that people trust themselves to work with data."

The future of Data Literacy

As businesses navigate digital transformation, the need for data literacy will only grow. Greg and Katy believe the demand for practical education will increase as more companies realise that technology alone isn't enough.

Greg summed up their vision: "We're not just a training business, we help organisations build a data-driven culture. Our goal is to be the go-to partner for companies that want lasting change in how they use data."

The bottom line

Data literacy isn't a "nice-to-have" anymore. It's essential. Businesses that don't invest in it risk making poor decisions, wasting technology, and falling behind competitors.

By focusing on mindset, culture, and real business impact, companies can unlock the full value of their data and create a workforce that actually feels confident using it.

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