Ready, Set, Action! How to Turn Data into Business Growth

This is part 3 of the 3-part guest blog series by guest author Sarah Nell-Rodriquez, CEO of Be Data Lit, on helping small businesses grow and thrive with data. In part 1 of the series, we covered 5 Common Problems Small Businesses Face (And How Data Can Solve Them). In part 2 we walk you through 5 Steps to Create a Data Strategy for Small Businesses without Breaking the Bank

So, you’ve started gathering data on your small business. Maybe you’ve been tracking customer behavior, sales trends, or marketing performance—but now what? Data collection is only the first half of the battle. Turning those numbers into real, actionable steps is where the magic happens.
But let’s be honest—just staring at numbers on a spreadsheet won’t get you very far unless you know what to do with them. Worried about diving into data analysis? Don’t be. These steps don’t require complex tools or any special data skills—just a willingness to dig into what’s already happening in your business. No corporate jargon here—just straightforward, real talk. Here’s how to take all that valuable info you’ve collected and turn it into decisions that will actually move the needle for your business.

1. Understand What Your Data is Telling You

First things first, you’ve got to figure out what those numbers mean. It’s like reading tea leaves, but with a lot more clarity (and less guessing). Start by analyzing your data to find patterns, trends, and outliers. Look for connections between metrics, like how customer behavior influences sales trends.

Example
Maybe you notice that customers who buy Product A also tend to come back for Product B two weeks later. Ding ding! There’s a pattern you can work with. Now, you know you could offer a bundled deal or a follow-up discount for Product B to keep that cycle going.

Pro Tip
Don’t get overwhelmed by every little number. Focus on the big, actionable trends—the ones that point to opportunities or problems. Keep it simple—use tools like Google Sheets to track your sales data or Google Analytics to analyze your website’s traffic.

2. Use Insights to Drive Key Decisions

Data is useless if it just sits there. Once you’ve found those juicy insights, it’s time to put them to work. Use the trends you’ve identified to inform your next moves. If one marketing channel is crushing it while others are flopping, you know where to shift your energy (and budget).

Example
You find that Instagram is pulling in 75% of your online sales while Facebook isn’t delivering the goods. Guess what? Time to pump more into Instagram ads and maybe cut back on the Facebook spend.

Pro Tip
Make your decisions based on what your data is telling you right now—not what you hope will happen. Trust the numbers—no guesswork needed.

3. Test, Measure, and Adjust

Think of your data strategy like a living thing—it needs constant care and attention. You’ve made your first data-driven decisions, but the work doesn’t stop there. Now, you’ve got to track the impact of those decisions. Did your changes work? Did sales go up? Did customer engagement improve? Use your data to measure what’s happening and adjust as needed.

Example
Let’s say you ran a promotion based on your data insights. The first week sales jumped, but then they plateaued. Time to adjust the offer, maybe extend the promotion or tweak the messaging.

Pro Tip
Short on time? Start small. Set aside an hour each week to review your data and make adjustments. Testing and tweaking in small bursts keeps you agile.

4. Create a Feedback Loop

Data isn’t a one-and-done kind of thing. It’s like laundry—it just keeps coming! But here’s the good news: this never-ending flow of feedback (from customers, employees, and sales) helps you constantly refine your strategies. By creating a feedback loop, you’ll be able to make improvements in real-time based on what’s working—or what isn’t.

Example
Collect customer reviews, track employee performance, and use post-purchase surveys. Keep gathering new data, adjust your approach, and repeat. It’s a rinse-and-repeat process, but each cycle brings you closer to running like a well-oiled machine.

Pro Tip
Get comfortable with feedback, especially the kind that stings a little. It’s better to know where you can improve than to stay stuck in a cycle of doing things the same way.

5. Celebrate Small Wins

Here’s the thing about data-driven changes: they don’t always lead to instant, overnight success. But that’s okay. Small wins are still wins, and they matter. Celebrate those little milestones, whether it’s a slight uptick in sales, more returning customers, or even saving time by automating a process.

Example
If your new email campaign brought in 5% more customers this month than last, that’s a win! It may not be huge, but it’s progress—and progress adds up.

Pro Tip
Keep momentum by recognizing these incremental improvements. Each small win pushes you closer to big results.

Don’t Just Collect Data—Use It!

Collecting data is step one, but the real magic happens when you turn those insights into action. Whether it’s understanding customer patterns, tweaking your marketing strategy, or adjusting your operations, your data is there to help you make better decisions.

Remember, every small step counts. Short on time? Start small and fit these activities into your weekly routine. The more you learn from your data, the better equipped you’ll be to make decisions that truly grow your business. Stick with it, and soon you’ll be turning those small wins into big results.

Need help tracking your data? Download our free KPI tracking template to get started—perfect for keeping everything in one place without the hassle.

Let’s Turn Your Data Into Action!

Don’t let all that valuable data gather dust in a spreadsheet. Analyze it, use it, and keep refining your strategies. Ready to start using data to make smarter decisions and grow your business? Let’s make it happen—reach out today, and we’ll help you turn your data into your secret weapon for success!

Readers can contact Sarah by visiting her website linked below

About the author

Sarah Nell-Rodriquez is a driving force in data education, shaping strategies that empower individuals and organizations to thrive in today’s data-driven landscape. At Tableau, Sarah built out multiple foundational courses and led the product strategy, ensuring that data education aligned with business goals. She also traveled the world, teaching Tableau’s network of partners, customers, and trainers how to effectively teach data. Her global work positioned her as a leader in scaling education and ensuring data became a tool for success across industries.

Through Be Data Lit, Sarah now wants to help others “get lit” with data education. She’s focused on making data accessible to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and data professionals. Her platform-agnostic approach enables organizations to scale internal data education as AI reshapes the landscape, ensuring that data education aligns with real-world goals and customer needs. At Be Data Lit, Sarah is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to use data for growth, empowerment, and long-term success.