How to Support Data-Driven Decision Making in Your Organization

We are surrounded by data every moment of the day. From our phones and laptops to the spreadsheets and incident reports, this data provides the basis for solid decision making. The secret is learning how to process the data so that you can take your business in the right direction.

The following are some ways you can use the data to achieve the maximum results.

Give Data Center Stage in Meetings

Managers should always collect data from client sites. Everything from the types of incidents that occur on-site to the number of security guards protecting a client's property should be gathered and reviewed as a matter of routine. These metrics can be used to gauge performance over time. They provide a basis for week to week, month to month, and year over end comparison. A security software with more advanced reporting features can help a lot with this task.

Account Management

Start by streamlining your account management by determining what data is useful, and what data is noise. Collecting data that isn't useful is a waste of time and resources. Moreover, this extra data can lead your business astray. Instead, focus your sights on streamlining your data collection. This may mean increasing/decreasing the number of contacts account managers have with clients. It may also include changing the way your account managers interact with clients, i.e. phone calls, emails, face-to-face, etc. 

Bring in the Guards

Your guards are an invaluable source of data. The first-hand information they collect from client sites is a valuable commodity. The process of collecting data from guards should be as simple and straightforward as possible. The easier it is for them to give you the information you need to make strategic decisions, the better your data will be.

Always circle the wagons with your guards so that they know what data you need, and how you need it to be presented. This will make it easier for you to sift through the information. This will give you the data you need to make decisions related to staffing levels, training, equipment purchases, operational procedures, etc.

Make Corrections

Personnel decisions are easy to make when the data can demonstrate a guard's performance. It shows whether they show up on time, perform their duties as they are expected to, and whether they have the training required to do their job. Collecting and storing this data makes it easy to spot and correct deficiencies, assign additional responsibilities, give raises, or, if necessary, let someone go. Collecting, monitoring, and taking action on personnel data is crucial for getting the most from your guards and providing the best service for your clients. 

Building an Intelligent Business

This starts by empowering your teams and impress upon them the importance of data to your operations. Give them ownership of the data they need to gather. From your end, be sure that you save, update, and track this data using software such as Silvertrac to make this process easier.

You should also share this data with your teams. The data will create a foundation that explains your reasoning and helps everyone better understand how you are using the data to make strategic decisions for the business and their future with your company.