A while back I was clicking on the like button on Facebook.

Something I often do while getting ready to start my day.

It is an upbeat way to start my day – acknowledging what others find fun and interesting enough to share with their world of friends and family.

A like here on a sunset picture.  A like there on a party photo.  Or someone on vacation.  It is just nice to feel part of something bigger than yourself.

So one time I came across an advertisement on Facebook while I’m clicking like buttons.

It intrigued me since it matched up to something I was interested in.  Namely analysis.

I’m somewhat of an analysis junkie.  I like to find patterns in things.  And better ways to do things.  Or how to get more from the same or fewer resources.

And I have a competitive spirit that likes to win.

Trust me…this is going somewhere.

So I clicked on this ad from Villanova University.  I don’t know much about Villanova other than they had a good college basketball team back in the 90’s when I was watching lots of college basketball games when Dick Vitale announced the games.  He made the games exciting.

So other than basketball, didn’t know anything about their analytics masters degree but I thought I’d check it out.  Who knows, might be another career for the future.

Well I quickly learned it wasn’t for me.  Besides the hefty price tag (and no, I have no intention of loading myself down with a bunch of student loan debt that I think is a crock anyway), the program was designed for Fortune 500 level companies.  And I know that is the last place I would fit in.

I just don’t like to be a cog in a wheel.  I thrive more where I can make a difference.  Where you can see the results.

But I do love the analysis.

So today I came across one of their emails (I know I should probably unsubscribe…but you never know where good ideas are going to come from next).

And their email talked about the opportunities in analytics and how companies are embracing the power that data…and the analysis of data…has to grow businesses.

Here it is: Predictive Analysis – The Future of Business

But even though I don’t want to go down this road for big businesses.  I love to apply those same principles to smaller businesses who can benefit from some key insights that data brings that they might not ever notice.

Many of the growth opportunities are right in front of their eyes.  But they can’t see them because they either aren’t collecting the data.  Or they have the data but don’t know how to analyze that information and turn it into actionable growth opportunities for their business.

Those are some of the things that excite me most.  Seeing people grasp the power that is in front of them and then using it to the fullest.

Is that you?  Are you seeing what your data could be telling you?  If not get me involved.  You might be surprised where your opportunities may be hiding.