The Step5 team is made up of a diverse collection of experts, each bringing unique skills and experiences to the table. We recently caught up with Joshua Ozcan, one of our Data Analysts, for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his time at Step5.
Having completed a BA in Economics and an MSc in Maths and Data, Joshua was able to secure himself an internship where he learnt key finance, data, and PowerBI skills that would later influence his decision to apply for a Data Analyst role at Step5.
“I was attracted to the idea of working within a small team where I knew I could get stuck in and show my worth,” said Joshua. Since joining, his role has developed and he has engaged with multiple projects, equipping him with a wide range of skills and experiences.
What does your role involve?
“My role is very diverse. I’m exposed to a variety of clients, all with very different needs and requirements. This has given me new opportunities to learn and develop skills I never expected to, such as project management, an area I hadn’t experienced prior to joining Step5. I’m more data-driven but being exposed to this has helped the data side of my work. Once you understand the business problem, you are better equipped to build dashboards, clean data, or look for things the client may not have looked for.
“My core responsibility as a Data Analyst is to look through data to identify patterns, cleanse the data and create visualisations out of that cleansed data so I can analyse it and provide key insights and key information, whether that be internally to improve our own processes, or for the client depending on their requirements. The aim is always to create an action from the data, so there is always a follow-up which facilitates progress.
“I also act as a support member for the Project Management Office (PMO) team. I am there to help make the work they do easier by implementing strategies and templates so the business is more fluent and so things can run more smoothly.
“I enjoy the challenges that come with the role, including working with a variety of people and personalities. You have to be versatile and understand different people’s perspectives, combining that with the data to build up a picture that is useful for people to work from. It’s important to build trust and to build relationships with people so that you can get the most out of an engagement and they can fully benefit from your support.”
What skills are essential to be a Data Analyst?
“From a technical aspect, being able to see patterns, understand patterns, and provide actions from the data. Data alone isn’t so valuable; we provide data and equate that into actionable steps which the client can take to improve their situation – I think that’s key.
“Another valuable skill is being able to understand what the client wants and recognising what they need to reach the best outcome in the long run, making sure to present things in a simple and elegant way. It’s about providing a coherent plan which highlights how certain actions will impact the client’s business and how they can benefit from them.
“As I say, versatility and finding the balance between data and people, depending on the unique client circumstances, is also very important as a Data Analyst. It’s not always easy to find the balance but I’m lucky enough to work with senior members of the team who have such vast experience that I can speak with.”
How do you apply these skills?
“If I take a recent example, we worked with a client who was struggling to monitor and track their risks, so we developed upon their RAID log and cleaned the data. We assessed the maturity of the business and determined what they needed at that point and developed the template in a way that meant we could build on it as they matured if they needed.
“Since it has been implemented, we have been able to better track the risks within the business transformation. Though it sounds like a simple piece of work, it has made a significant difference for the client. It’s allowed the board to make informed decisions that will have a meaningful and lasting impact on their business.
“I believe that mastering the basics will always make a big difference. In the past I have experienced situations where the client lacked visibility and by simply cleansing their data we were able to provide a clear view of the situation which enabled them to save money and plan for the future more effectively.”
What’s it like being part of the Step5 team?
“The senior members of the team, Henry Yorke and Ed Arrowsmith provide nuggets of gold. They have so much experience and knowledge, they’ve seen and done it all in the past and their guidance is invaluable. Being able to learn from them is amazing and I see them as key mentors supporting my development.
“I feel very fortunate to be part of a business and a team that allows me to provide my own input, to be listened to and to be valued. Everyone’s voice is heard, and we frequently bounce ideas off each other to make sure we come to the best solution for the client.
“Thanks to the size and makeup of the business, I’ve been given the opportunity to diversify my own portfolio, working on multiple projects with various clients, tackling very different challenges and having the chance to prove myself and push my own boundaries.”
What advice would you give to someone looking to become a Data Analyst?
“Experience is vital. Businesses generally look for experience. Having months’ worth of work experience behind me meant I was able to lean on that industry exposure to help me secure my position with Step5. It’s something I wish I had known sooner so I could have gained the exposure during my studies at Undergraduate level.
“I also think skillsets can be learned; but having drive and enjoying what you do is key.”
If you'd like to learn more about what it's like to work at Step5, visit our careers page.
