Tips for enhancing and improving analytical skills especially when tasked with performing research and gathering information.

1. DEVELOPING YOUR
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
By Tony Obregon
March 12, 2012

2. WHAT EXACTLY ARE ANALYTICAL SKILLS?
 The ability to apply logical thinking to
the gathering and analyzing of
information
 The ability to visualize, articulate,
and solve problems and concepts
 The ability to make decisions that
make sense based on available
information
Source: Wikipedia

3. WHY ANALYZE INFORMATION?
 The political decisions we make can change the
course of legislation locally, regionally and globally
 The economic decisions we make impact how we
live and the future of companies and markets
 The personal decisions we make affect the
relationships you have with family, friends and co-
workers
 The business decisions we make can enhance the
quality of our work and even open doors to new
opportunities

4. 5 TIPS TO BETTER ANALYTICAL SKILLS
1. Ask the right questions
2. Realize what you don’t know
3. Make no assumptions
4. Don’t take what you see at face value
5. Turn information into knowledge

5. #1 - ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
 What do we know already? Conduct an
 What do we need to know? “Informational Interview”
 What are the expected results?
 How will we act on this once we have
the data?
 How much time am I allotted on this
research?
 When is the information needed?

6. THE POWER OF THE QUESTION!
Over 1 billion web pages
devoted to questions for
every type of situation!

7. The most critical question is...
HOW
will the information will be used
by the requestor?

8. #2 - REALIZE WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW
 Don’t be embarrassed to ask simple
questions
 Start from the bottom to ensure you
cover all the bases
 Allow your research to guide you into
different directions

9. #3 - MAKE NO ASSUMPTIONS
 Does the requestor really know what
they want?
 Are you sure that the information will
be easily found?
 Is it possible that someone may have
gathered similar information?
 Do you have enough time to
complete the task?
 If in doubt about the results or the
format of the report…ask.

10. #4 - DON’T TAKE THINGS AT FACE VALUE
 Errors occur by both man and
machine
 Cross-reference statistics and
research when possible
 Look deeper to determine the real
value in the information
 Validate sources to ensure their
credibility, especially those online
From 500 feet this may look
like Marilyn Monroe but on
closer inspection it’s actually
Albert Einstein

11. ASSESSING SOURCES OF INFORMATION
 Who created the source and why?
 Is this person a neutral party or do
they have a vested interest?
 Did this person have first-hand
knowledge or only reporting on what
others heard and saw?
 Remember to cite your sources

12.  After collecting information, review
and assemble it
 Create categories that help organize it
 Look for patterns of recurring data
 Add your perspective to what you’ve
uncovered
 Summarize analysis to crystallize the
findings
 Bring value to the information by
keeping your requestor in mind

13. ANALYZING NEWS COVERAGE
 What kind of media outlet published
the story?
 How is the client/company/topic
positioned?
 Any spokespeople quoted?
 Are competitors mentioned?
 Is the article balanced?
 What are the key messages?
 Is this from a regular columnist,
freelancer or contributing author?
 What is the circulation/readership?
 Was this posted online as well?

14. ANALYZING BLOG POSTS
 Is this the real author or was the post hijacked?
 Is the content syndicated from another source?
 Are there numerous ads littering the blog?
 Is the URL suspicious looking?
 How much influence does the blogger have?
 What’s their experience and association with
the topic?
 Who are they connected to online?
 How many comments are being left on the blog
by readers?
 Do they link to other networks that you can
follow to get more insight on them?
 Have they covered this topic before?

15. ANALYTICAL QUIZ
HOW MANY “F”S IN THE SENTENCE?

16. ANALYTICAL QUIZ
WHAT WORD DO YOU SEE?

17. ANALYTICAL QUIZ
WHAT WORD DO YOU SEE?

18. ANALYTICAL QUIZ
WHAT DO YOU SEE?

19. ANALYTICAL QUIZ
HOW MANY BLACK DOTS DO YOU SEE?

20. THE END
www.tonyobregon.com