French companies lack control over their data

Despite the growing importance of data for decision-making, in particular since the Covid-19 pandemic, business leaders face difficulties in putting this ambition into practice, linked in particular to problems of understanding and control . This is the main lesson of a study conducted by the YouGov institute for Tableau, for which 1977 executives in nine countries were interviewed, including 232 in France.

According to this survey, 65% of French respondents recognize the importance of data for the quality of exchanges and strategic decision-making. A similar proportion consider that the use of data reduces uncertainty and helps to make better decisions. While 39% had to make quick decisions despite a lack of information during the health crisis, only 40% have relied more on data since it began. In addition, only 17% took advantage of this period to strengthen their expertise around data, one of the lowest rates in the nine markets studied. However, French companies that use data more are less concerned about the impact of the crisis on their activities: 44% of them say they are calm, against 26% in the rest of the sample.

Indicators rarely used to decide

The study then looked at the factors that could explain such discrepancies, first revealing difficulties in sharing information. If for 52% of French respondents, teleworking made it possible to involve more people in meetings, thanks to the use of collaborative solutions, these meetings are not for all that more effective. The fault in particular to a poor circulation of information within the teams, pointed out by 48% of the respondents. According to the executives interviewed, two other obstacles prevent meetings from being more effective. The first concerns the understanding of data itself (cited by 47%). Only 43% of respondents consider that the Covid-19 pandemic has made their employees more comfortable with statistics. The second brake, more of a cultural nature, lies in the inability to rely on indicators to make decisions (31%). And management committees unfortunately do not really set an example: only 18% of French decision-makers use data analysis on a daily basis during their discussions on the strategy and transformation of their company.