How human skills training transformed a retail data team’s ability to influence business decisions

Client

A leading UK retail organisation undergoing a shift in its data operating model, with a large, centralised data and analytics function supporting multiple business units.

The Challenge

The organisation had built a technically strong data team, but insight was not consistently translating into action.

Data professionals were comfortable in analysis but less confident in presenting, influencing stakeholders, and shaping decisions. This led to:

• Inconsistent communication of insight

• Limited stakeholder engagement and trust

• A gap between technical output and business impact

As the organisation moved towards a more business-facing operating model, improving communication, data storytelling, and stakeholder influence became a priority.

The Rockborne Approach

Rockborne partnered with the client to design and deliver a bespoke, instructor-led human skills training programme, tailored to real business challenges and team dynamics.

We delivered:

• Pilot workshop for 25 participants to assess capability gaps and test core concepts
• Tailored training modules focused on communication, data storytelling, and stakeholder influence
• Practical, scenario-based exercises using real business contexts
• Iterative rollout across multiple cohorts, refining content based on feedback
• Alignment with leadership to support behaviour change beyond training

Results

The programme led to a clear improvement in how the data team communicated and engaged with stakeholders. Participants showed increased confidence in presenting insights, stronger ability to structure messages for decision-making, and greater awareness of stakeholder needs and communication styles.

Feedback across sessions was consistently positive, with high engagement and demand for further rollout. The training also increased recognition of human skills as a core capability within the data function, supporting the organisation’s shift towards a more business-aligned operating model.

• Pilot workshop for approximately 25 participants  
• Multiple training sessions delivered post-pilot  
• Bespoke curriculum tailored to real business challenges  
• Strong participant feedback and engagement  

Interested in partnering with Rockborne?

Strengthen your data team’s ability to influence decisions and drive business impact.

Speak to Rockborne about transforming your data team.
Request a tailored training programme.

Visit: rockborne.com
Email: info@rockborne.com