In today’s competitive market, the most successful portfolio companies aren’t just reacting to challenges. They are proactively using data and analytics to drive transformation. Operational improvements remain one of the clearest paths to meaningful returns, but unlocking that value requires more than instinct and routine check-ins.
While many firms aspire to be “data-driven,” there’s often a gap between intention and execution. The opportunity now is to close that gap by turning data into a powerful tool for smarter decisions, greater agility, and lasting advantage. These 5 tips are a great starting point.
1. Operational Blind Spots Are Fixable
Every business has inefficiencies through manual processes, wasteful workflows and underperforming assets. But one of the largest issues we see—many operators don’t know where the problems are. Or worse, they’re looking in the wrong place.
Data helps you see what’s actually happening—not just what people think is happening. When structured and used well, it surfaces where things are getting stuck, where money is being wasted, and where performance isn’t meeting expectations. Whether it’s on the floor, in your supply chain, or across the customer experience—data brings the truth forward.
In one project, we slashed delivery timelines by 30% by digging into the data, identifying bottlenecks, and launching programs that drove execution and accountability.
2. From Dashboard Fatigue to Decision Making Systems
Truthfully, most “analytics” setups are glorified spreadsheets. KPIs are cherry-picked, updated too late and rarely tied to action.
Instead, what you need is decision making systems. This meansthe integration of data, context and decision workflows.
Treat metrics as signals. When a number moves or something flashes red, there should be a clear so what:
- What does it mean?
- What’s the countermeasure?
- Who owns the fix?
Don’t just report the news. Respect the red and respond.
3. Value Creation Starts With Data Discipline
It’s scary how many leaders can’t answer simple questions about their business. That’s where data discipline comes in. At all times, you should know:
- Who are your most profitable customers?
- What’s your real margin by product line?
- Where are you bleeding cost in fulfillment?
Data maturity isn’t about volume of information. It’s about quality, governance and usability. Weaponize your data so that it aligns with your investment thesis and delivers results.
4. Turn Every Team Member into an Problem Solver
Stop thinking of analytics as a function and start treating it as a mindset. You don’t need one genius in a backroom. You need 100 operators who understand the numbers behind their decisions.
Train people to think like analysts and problem solvers. By building tools that non-technical teams can use, you give your frontline managers the ability to drill into data and make changes in real time.
5. Real-Time Beats Retroactive
Waiting until quarter-end to understand what’s going wrong operationally is like checking the scoreboard after the game is over. If you’re not investing your time and resources in real-time data, you’re operating in the dark.
Use real-time alerts and anomaly detection to get ahead of problems, not react to them. Predict issues before they happen. Optimize as you go. Make “just-in-time” more than a buzzword.
Final Thought: If You Don’t Trust the Data, Fix the Data
Operational improvement without data is just educated guessing. And in a tightening market, guesswork is expensive.
That’s why it’s important to have partners that adopt an ownership mindset of the business. The right data can transform processes and lead to sustained value. So get serious. Get structured. Get analytical.
