Are you drowning in data but thirsty for insights? This workshop equips small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to unlock the hidden potential of their data through practical business analytics (BA) techniques. Gain insights on how to transform raw data into actionable insights; identify key performance indicators (KPls) to track your business health; leverage data visualization tools to tell compelling data stories; and make data-driven decisions to optimize marketing, sales, and operations.
This course is available for StrongerBC future skills grant between September 1, 2025 - February 28, 2026. The course must have a start date between Sept 1 - Feb 28 to be eligible for funding. Please contact CPS@kpu.ca on how to apply.
What You Will Learn
Acquire basic techniques in using data to drive business growth.
Get exposure to KPIs, data visualization, and data-driven decisions
How You Will Learn:
You will join live, online, instructor-led sessions that blend theory with real-world application:
- Expert-Led Workshops: Learn directly from a seasoned practitioner.
- Hands-On Case Studies: Apply frameworks in small-group exercises.
- Personalized Feedback: Receive tailored coaching to refine your work.
- Live Q&A & Networking: Dive deeper with peers and the instructor.
- Ongoing Resources: Access slide decks, templates and an online forum to reinforce your learning.
Who This Course is for
This course is ideal for professionals and business owners who want to use data more effectively to grow their organization, including:
- Small and medium-sized business (SMB) owners ready to make smarter, data-informed decisions
- Entrepreneurs and solopreneurs looking to optimize performance across marketing, sales, and operations
- Team leads or managers responsible for reporting, goal setting, or business development
- Professionals in marketing, operations, or customer experience who want to extract value from analytics
- Anyone new to business analytics who wants to build foundational skills without a technical background
Whether you're building dashboards or just starting to track KPIs, this course will help you move from data overload to business clarity.
Why take this course:
- BC’s economy is increasingly digital-first, and organizations that can interpret and act on data have a strategic edge
- Data literacy is now a core skill for business professionals—especially in SMBs that need to stretch every dollar
- Many small businesses collect data but don’t use it, missing opportunities to improve profitability, efficiency, and customer retention
- Analytics tools are more accessible than ever, but knowing what to measure—and how to act on it—is still a gap for many teams
- Hiring trends show growing demand for data-savvy generalists, not just data scientists
- Understanding KPIs and dashboards can empower better conversations with investors, partners, and internal teams
Instructor Bio
Landon Kleis, Ph.D
Landon has taught business technology courses for over 15 years. A lifelong fascination with the practical uses of I.T. led him to roles in computer sales, technical support, database administration, business analysis, and project management. After earning a B.Com from Queen's, he worked in the financial industry before returning to his passion: to study and teach technology management. In 2011 he earned a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems from UBC, and honed his teaching skills at UBC, SFU, and KPU. Since 2018 he has chaired the Computer Business Systems department at KPU. He has taught and developed graduate and undergraduate courses such as data analytics, IT strategy, and digital transformation. He lives in New Westminster with his wife, three children, and a very spoiled cat.