Translating data into insights – Mohammed Abdulfattah, Business Analyst

Where it all started

I was born in Alexandria (Egypt), an ancient city built by Alexander the Great. Alexandria was a knowledge hub, known for its great library, so you could say that a passion for learning was in my blood.

My first degree was a bachelor's in business administration with a major in Marketing. I started my professional marketing career in Kuwait at Landmark Group. In 2017, I took a new job as a business development manager at a trading company. In 2022, the World Cup was being held in Qatar and I was working on a company project in preparation for it. However, there were many internal problems I needed to solve such as:

• Lack of reporting
• Lack of a customer relationship management system
• Communication issues between different departments our overseas suppliers
• Unstructured sales processes with limited control and supervision
• Poor stock control
• Poor communication and misalignment of goals between us and our suppliers abroad
• Limited project scope

I attempted to resolve each of these issues, but I couldn’t. At this point in my career, I knew that I needed new tools to help me.

I researched extensively and found that business analytics was the tool I needed to help resolve the long list of internal problems at my company.

What I like about business analytics

Data is essentially a language, and analytics is about making decisions based on data, not on what you’re feeling or what everyone else is telling you. It is the perfect language at the perfect time. You are delivering insights to the company that is backed up by solid evidence, not on popular opinion.

At face value, data just looks like rows and rows of numbers, and you don’t know how to translate it. Business analytics dives into those numbers and provides you insights into what’s really happening in your business, the environment, the world, even in sports.

Being given large data sets can be overwhelming at first. However, business analysts usually work in a team, collaborating together to deliver insights to the company. We can use A.I software to help us mine large data sets in a matter of seconds and minutes and visualise results.

Why KBS?

I was a mature-age student, and I was concerned that I would not be able to keep up the momentum to study for another degree. I required a smaller learning environment where I could receive all the support I needed; a place where I would be recognised as an individual and not be treated as a number.

KBS had a strong reputation of delivering quality student support and because the classes were smaller, the teachers had the time to provide individual attention for each student. Plus, KBS was in Australia where the weather is warm and being from the Middle East, that suited me.

I did not know much about business analytics, so I enrolled into the Master of Business Analytics first. I learned about the concepts of A.I and how it’s evolving, data visualisation, and programming languages such as SQL and Python. The more my knowledge grew, the more I wanted to learn. So, after completing my first master’s I enrolled into the Master of Business Analytics (Extension).

Why Adelaide?

I was starting my studies in a new country and needed time to adjust to the Australian culture. I chose Adelaide because it was a more relaxed city with less people. It is a relatively safe city with the cost of living being lower compared with other Australian capital cities.

My KBS family

Coming to a new country away from my family was hard. But I did not need to worry. At my orientation, the Student Experience Officers were so warm and welcoming. They made me feel at home and part of a family. I met people from all over the world going through the same experience as me which helped me feel more comfortable.

During my studies, the teachers treated us as individuals and knew each of us by name. They put in effort to get to know you as a person and understood the challenges we were all facing.

The Careers Central team organised an Academic Internship for me with Communiteer who engage communities through online volunteering. It was a great experience. I learned about the Australian working environment and applied my knowledge from my degree to my daily work

Giving back

One day, my lecturer was talking to me about the 6 Human Needs and one of them was Contribution - to give back to people. I believe that - I feel very happy when I help people – it's part of my culture.

I wanted new students to have a great experience at KBS, so I became a Peer Mentor. My mentees ask me a range of questions relating to their Business Analytics subjects, assessments, and internships. Some questions are more personal such as where to go and buy certain items and transportation.

I am also a Student Ambassador. Some of the projects I have been involved in include orientation week, graduation ceremonies, CPA and networking events.

My future

My dream is to stay here in Australia. I want to work in business analytics and keep learning. I may do a PHD. Regardless of what I do, I will keep in contact with KBS and continue to be part of the alumni community.

Want to connect with Mohammed?

You can find him on LinkedIn.