Shifting from repetitive data collection to strategic analytical work is essential for professionals in today's fast-paced media landscape. By leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, organizations can enhance their analytical capabilities, allowing for deeper insights and more informed decision-making. This transition not only elevates individual roles but also drives significant business results, fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability that is crucial in navigating complex global challenges. Embracing this strategic pivot can empower leaders to harness data effectively, transforming it into actionable intelligence that shapes the future of media and conflict analysis.

Pivot to a more strategic analytical role; this requires automation of the repetitive tasks with tools like Excel macros, data integration platforms, and centralized data collection through APIs.Outsource the repetitive tasks or delegate to junior members freeing your time for high-impact activities and making data-driven recommendations. Develop scalable processes using Business intelligence tools like Power BI, and Tableau that will automate standardized reporting and visualization. Enhance skills in data analysis, storytelling, and visualization. Consistently brainstorm how your insights can directly support strategic decisions.

If we're performing the same tasks manually each time to produce/update a recurring product (e.g., report, dashboard, analysis), then ALWAYS think in terms of automation. The more repetitive and predictable tasks are, the more easily they can be automated. I regularly see people processing data with the same keystrokes and steps that can be easily automated but never get there. You can use Excel macros, build robotic process automation (RPA) bots (attended or unattended) in a tool, create procedures/functions in a database to prep data, etc. Start automating with whatever tool(s) you have readily available to automate as much as possible. And the further left you automate, the easier/quicker it is on the right to use the data.