Streamlining your cultural data with James Akers

This episode of the Digital Culture Podcast flips the script as Jack Roscoe takes over hosting duties and interviews James Akers, Tech Champion for Data Analytics and Insight. James shares his journey into the role, the importance of data in the creative and cultural sector, and practical advice for organisations on managing, analysing, and presenting data effectively.

The conversation covers everything from starting small with data, automating processes, and building resilience through data ownership, to the future impact of AI on analytics.

They discuss: 

• What data is and why it’s important.
• Why starting small can help build your data confidence.
• How technology and automations can save time and unlock insights.

Links and resources discussed in this episode: 

• Download the transcript for this episode (Word document)
• Saddling up for success: Your guide to harnessing data - an on demand webinar about how data can be used across different teams to improve efficiencies, measure performance and inform actions
• How to automate your social media reporting - in this article we explain three methods you can use to consolidate your data, save time, and tell your story
• Getting started with Google Looker Studio - how Looker Studio can be used to create interactive and shareable reports to help you see how you are performing, if you're on track to reach your objectives, and identify opportunities for change.
• Responsible AI Practical Toolkit – a framework to help creative and cultural organisations that want to create their own Responsible AI policies and practices
• Charity Digital Skills Report – annual survey from Zoe Amar
• Storytelling with data – the fundamentals of data visualisation and ways to present 
• Everything I know about life I learned from PowerPoint - a book with great tips for simplifying information and making engaging presentations 

Music by ⁠⁠SHAR