How to Show ROI for Data Solutions in the First 30 Days

For many IT service providers, the biggest challenge when selling data solutions is demonstrating tangible value quickly. Clients want to see measurable results, and showing a return on investment (ROI) within the first 30 days can help solidify their confidence in your offerings.

Step 1: Identify Quick Wins

When rolling out a data solution, it’s essential to identify "quick wins" — small, high-impact improvements that can be achieved early in the project. These wins could include:

• Optimizing existing reports: Look for reports that are already in use but take time to generate or are difficult to interpret. Streamlining or automating these reports with tools like Power BI can deliver immediate efficiency gains.
• Cleaning up data: If your client's data is spread across various sources or is inconsistent, even basic data cleansing can lead to significant improvements in their decision-making.
• Improving data access: Set up simple dashboards that give clients access to critical metrics they’ve previously struggled to see. For example, creating a real-time revenue dashboard is something that can show instant value.

Step 2: Focus on Use Cases with Immediate Value

Rather than taking on a large, complex data project right from the start, focus on smaller use cases that address the client’s most pressing needs. These might include:

• Sales Performance Dashboards: Provide visual insights into sales trends, product performance, and customer behavior. Clients can see which areas are driving revenue and which need attention.
• Cost Reduction Opportunities: Help clients reduce operational costs by analyzing areas such as resource allocation, supplier costs, or workforce utilization.
• Operational Efficiency Metrics: Show clients how they can optimize their processes by identifying bottlenecks or inefficiencies within their existing workflows.

Step 3: Set Measurable Goals

To show ROI, you need to set measurable goals from the start. These could include:

• Time saved: Automating manual reporting processes or consolidating data from different sources can drastically reduce the time spent on data collection and preparation.
• Improved decision-making: Real-time dashboards give clients the insights they need to make faster and more informed decisions, which leads to better outcomes.
• Increased revenue or reduced costs: Whether through improved customer targeting, better resource management, or cost-cutting, link these outcomes directly to the data solution you’ve implemented.

Step 4: Provide Regular Progress Reports

As you implement the solution, provide your client with regular updates to show progress. This helps manage expectations and ensures that they see the value being delivered early on.

You can do this by:

• Scheduling bi-weekly or monthly check-ins.
• Sharing early results, such as improved process efficiency or quicker access to important KPIs.
• Highlighting how these results are leading towards the ROI targets set in the initial phases.

Conclusion

Showing ROI for data solutions within the first 30 days is entirely possible if you focus on quick wins, deliver value through practical use cases, and set clear, measurable goals. By doing so, you not only meet your clients' expectations but also position yourself as a strategic partner who can help drive their business forward.

If you're looking to offer data solutions without a dedicated in-house data team, BlocBI's approach is designed to bridge that gap. Get in touch to learn more about how we can help you and your clients see value from day one.