Latest news with #businessanalytics
Entrepreneur
2 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Breaking the Cycle of Early Business Failure: Centida BI & Analytics on the Power of Data-Driven Planning
When organizations lack the tools to adjust plans based on shifting market realities, it doesn't matter if due to new regulations, inflation spikes, or geopolitical developments, they're planning blind You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Numerous new businesses open doors with ambition, vision, and optimism every year. Unfortunately, approximately 20% fail within the first year. Similarly, about 50% don't survive beyond five years. Cash flow issues, poor marketing, or misreading customer needs are some of the usual reasons behind this trend. However, the underlying cause can run deeper. The failure can stem from decision-making, which, in today's fast-moving environment, is impossible without data. Centida BI & Analytics, known for management consulting and strategic technology implementation, has observed why the business mortality rate is so high. Founded and led by seasoned experts, it has built a unique, integrated approach that combines business expertise and cutting-edge analytics. CEO and Managing Director Christian Barte has leveraged his over two decades in executive finance and management roles across international enterprises to inform Centida's approach. He has vast experience in unlocking business performance, from building profitability analytics systems at global telecoms to leading finance transformation initiatives at multinational corporations. With a strong educational foundation spanning business schools in Germany, France, and the United States, Barte brings a global perspective to local business challenges. His formal training in artificial intelligence (AI) and data visualization further equips him to guide clients through today's AI-powered business environment. Alongside Barte is CTO and Managing Partner Ilya Fedorkov. His background in digital transformation and data science positions him at the forefront of business intelligence (BI) innovation. His hands-on expertise in performance management, financial controlling, and enterprise-wide data strategy ensures that Centida's technical solutions are truly transformative. This leadership has enabled Centida to learn about trends in the business environment, including the reasons companies fail. The company recognizes that many of the failures revolve around the inability to utilize data effectively. One can argue that technology evolves by the week. Hence, businesses clinging to static planning models or outdated tools are at a disadvantage. Rigid annual budgets, manual forecasting, and intuition-based decision-making leave organizations vulnerable to disruption, especially when competitors are leveraging real-time data and AI-enhanced insights. Economic volatility heightens the stakes. Modern businesses must plan accordingly with supply chain upheavals and unpredictable customer payment behaviors in mind. "When organizations lack the tools to adjust plans based on shifting market realities, it doesn't matter if due to new regulations, inflation spikes, or geopolitical developments, they're planning blind," says Fedorkov. Centida also points to overengineering products or services without clearly understanding market demand as another issue. "A technically brilliant product will still fail if it doesn't meet a real customer need," Barte states. Companies usually falter in their go-to-market strategy because they don't truly understand their customer, their pricing flexibility, or the most effective sales channels. "Even businesses with enough funding might struggle to generate cash flow if there's no clarity, especially if they underestimate working capital needs or overestimate the speed of returns," Barte adds. Centida notes that these issues aren't exclusive to startups. Mid-sized and enterprise-level companies can face similar risks, especially when leadership changes or market stagnation sets in. Barte shares an example: "There's a trend in accounts receivable delays, where larger buyers now push payment terms from 30 to 180 days. For suppliers who don't account for this liquidity gap in their planning, the consequences can be fatal." What's the solution? Centida asserts that it begins with recognizing that data isn't just a support tool. It's the core of modern business strategy. Data analytics enables organizations to move from reactive to proactive planning. It eliminates guesswork, clarifies direction, and provides early warnings when performance veers off course. When properly applied, data aligns operations with strategic goals, provides realistic scenario planning, and ensures business decisions are made on facts. "You need to adapt if you want to survive in this landscape. And data is the key to adaptability," Fedorkov remarks. Centida operationalizes this philosophy, distinguishing itself by the way it works with clients. If other firms deliver cookie-cutter dashboards or plug-and-play solutions, Centida engages deeply with the business itself. It doesn't only translate business needs into information technology (IT) requirements. The firm speaks both languages fluently. This eliminates the information gaps that typically emerge in large-scale implementations. "Our approach of combining the strategic vision of consultants with the technical know-how of systems architects means we design solutions that reflect what's actually needed," Barte says. This comprehensive approach is why Centida is seen as a partner of choice for organizations struggling with uncertainty. Indeed, most businesses fail not because they lack ambition but because they lack insight. Centida BI & Analytics empowers organizations with the intelligence, structure, and agility they need to thrive in a fast-changing world. The Centida founders further share insightful advice for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Fedorkov emphasizes that the foundation of a resilient business lies in uniting data and decision-making under the same roof. "Get rid of silos and ensure that your business teams take ownership of data-driven processes, not just IT," he says. "It's important to develop a solid understanding of the data you rely on." The most successful cases he's seen are when business people actively shape and guide the digital solutions they use, not delegate them. True resilience emerges when data and business expertise are intertwined, owned, and steered from within the organization. Meanwhile, Barte's advice centers around radical customer focus. He urges entrepreneurs to invest substantial time, then double it, into understanding who their customers truly are. "Knowing your product isn't enough," he states. "Knowing how to reach the right people through the right channels, partners, and tools is essential." Beyond that, he stresses the importance of building an adaptable model that guides one's business strategy and helps track its real-time performance. He adds: "If your efforts drift off course, that model should show exactly where and why, so you can recalibrate fast and keep moving forward."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Deakin University GIFT City Campus announces first successful placement cycle with National Australia Bank's India Innovation Centre
GANDHINAGAR, India, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Deakin University's GIFT City campus has successfully concluded its first-ever placement cycle on 30 May 2025, in collaboration with the NAB Innovation Centre, India, marking a historic milestone for both the university and India's higher education sector. This placement round was held for postgraduate students from the Master of Business Analytics. This placement cycle holds special significance as Deakin University's GIFT City graduates will be the first cohort of Indian students to receive a foreign university degree entirely in India, setting a benchmark in international education delivered locally. Mr. Vikas Malik, Executive Technology, NAB Innovation Centre India, said, "The quality of talent from Deakin's GIFT City campus is truly exceptional. We were impressed not only by their technical proficiency but also by their ability to think critically and adapt to evolving business challenges. These students are not just industry-ready—they're innovation-ready, and we're excited to welcome them into our teams." Prof. Deepak Bajaj, Academic and Campus Director, Deakin University GIFT City, shared, "This is a proud and transformative moment for Deakin University and India. Our first placement cycle, led by a prestigious global partner like NAB, validates the international standards we uphold at GIFT City. Our students are proving that world-class education can be delivered and nurtured right here on Indian soil." Students of the first cohort secured paid internships that will lead to placement for full-time roles upon graduation in NAB's Innovation Centre in India at Gurugram, Haryana. Of the 8 bright students selected, the roles were offered to 7 bright students of Business Analytics, including business performance, analytics, fin-crime analytics, and customer decisioning. David Das, Head of Campus Operations, Deakin GIFT City, added, "The outcomes highlight the power of our industry-integrated academic model. The level of preparedness and maturity shown by our students throughout this process has made all of us at Deakin incredibly proud. It's just the beginning of many such success stories." The NAB Innovation Centre India serves as a pivotal hub for global operations, emphasizing innovation and technological excellence. NAB is committed to building high-performing teams by recruiting individuals with strong technical acumen, analytical prowess, and a collaborative mindset. The hiring process is comprehensive and designed to assess both technical competence and cultural fit. Technical and management interview rounds follow the online coding assessment to gauge communication, motivation, and alignment with NAB's values. This meticulous process ensures that only candidates who meet NAB's high standards are selected to join their dynamic and forward-thinking team. Khushi Saraf, a Master of Business Analytics student who secured a dual (internship and job) offer, shared, "The opportunity to work with NAB is more than just a job offer, it's a career breakthrough. Deakin's curriculum helped me master tools like Python, Power BI, and advanced analytics while also developing strategic thinking. I feel fully prepared to take on this global role." About Deakin University GIFT City: Deakin University is the first foreign university to set up a physical campus in India, located at GIFT City, Gujarat. The campus offers cutting-edge postgraduate programs in Business Analytics and Cyber Security, tailored to the needs of a digitally transforming global economy. Deakin GIFT City aims to create global professionals equipped to lead in data-driven, secure, and intelligent enterprises. For queries and more information, please visit Photo: View original content to download multimedia:
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dun & Bradstreet India Unveils Strategic Insights for Indian Exporters Amid Global Trade Shifts
MUMBAI, India, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dun & Bradstreet India, a leading provider of business decisioning data and analytics, has released a new report titled 'Navigating the Fault Lines of Global Trade: An Indian Perspective,' offering a comprehensive analysis of the shifting trade landscape and its implications for Indian exporters. As global trade tensions intensify and the United States recalibrates its economic engagement, the report reveals that the trade environment has changed significantly. Indian businesses need to be ready to mitigate rising risks while seizing newly emerging export opportunities. Key Highlights of the Report: Trade Reset in Motion: Recent U.S. tariff actions mark a significant shift in global trade strategy, impacting a wide range of trading partners including India through broad, cross-border measures. Margins Under Pressure: Of India's 3,934 product lines exported to the U.S., over 3,100 now face a 10% flat tariff, and 343 are hit with a 25% rate. Sectors like iron & steel, machinery, textiles, and chemicals are the most exposed. Opportunities Taking Shape: The report identifies 360 high-potential products where India is well-positioned to strengthen its presence in the U.S. market. Big opportunities lie in specialty chemicals, pharma inputs, home textiles, and industrial components. Smart Product Strategy: Products are mapped into four zones—Sweet Spots, High Risk–High Reward, Margin Traps, and Non-Core to help businesses focus where it matters most. "This marks an important shift in the global trade landscape," said Arun Singh, Global Chief Economist, Dun & Bradstreet. "India is at a point where thoughtful, strategic steps can help turn current global changes into long-term success. As supply chains diversify and trade policies evolve, Indian exporters have a chance to strengthen their role in key sectors. To fully leverage this shift, India must adopt forward-looking strategies that balance risk management with market expansion, especially in margin-sensitive industries like specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and advanced manufacturing inputs." The report can be downloaded for free from the website of Dun & Bradstreet India ( About Dun & Bradstreet: Dun & Bradstreet, a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, enables companies around the world to improve their business performance. Dun & Bradstreet's Data Cloud fuels solutions and delivers insights that empower customers to accelerate revenue, lower cost, mitigate risk and transform their businesses. Since 1841, companies of every size have relied on Dun & Bradstreet to help them manage risk and reveal opportunity. For more information on Dun & Bradstreet, please visit Dun & Bradstreet Information Services India Private Limited is headquartered in Mumbai and provides clients with data-driven products and technology-driven platforms to help them take faster and more accurate decisions in domains of finance, risk, compliance, information technology and marketing. Working towards Government of India's vision of creating an Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) by supporting the Make in India initiative, Dun & Bradstreet India has a special focus on helping entrepreneurs enhance their visibility, increase their credibility, expand access to global markets, and identify potential customers & suppliers, while managing risk and opportunity. India is also the home to Dun & Bradstreet Technology & Corporate Services LLP, which is the Global Capabilities Center (GCC) of Dun & Bradstreet supporting global technology delivery using cutting-edge technology. Located at Hyderabad, the GCC has a highly skilled workforce of over 500 employees, and focuses on enhanced productivity, economies of scale, consistent delivery processes and lower operating expenses. Visit for more information. Click here for all Dun & Bradstreet India press releases. Logo: View original content:
Fast Company
06-05-2025
- General
- Fast Company
Let's stop calling them ‘soft skills.' They're the hardest ones to master
At a recent academic conference, I noticed a familiar unease ripple through conversations about 'soft skills.' Many participants winced at the term. They recognized the inadequacy of the term , yet struggled to agree on a better alternative. People floated around suggestions like 'human skills,' 'essential skills,' or 'power skills,' but none seemed to stick. This persistent terminology problem reflects a deeper tension in our educational system. There's a long-standing bias that elevates 'hard' technical competencies over the nuanced, deeply human capabilities that actually define long-term professional success. Historically, hard skills emerged from the natural sciences—quantitative, measurable, and increasingly automatable. Soft skills, on the other hand, draw from the liberal arts, humanities, and social sciences. These disciplines help us understand human behavior, expression, and interaction. These qualities are notoriously difficult to quantify and even harder to teach. In business analytics, the field I teach, technical fluency is the price of entry. But what propels careers isn't just knowing which model to run. It's being able to explain it to a client, manage a team under pressure, adapt when the data shifts, and negotiate conflicting priorities. The multiplier is the human element.
