My Observations on The Evolution of Analytics in the Philippines

The perspective from my front row seat.

In the last decade, I have witnessed the analytics landscape in the Philippines undergo incredibly remarkable changes. These transformations have been driven by technological advancements, increased awareness, and a growing demand for data-driven decision-making.

When I first started doing training here 12 years ago, it was hard to find many people who understood the true value of analytics, the talent pool was rather shallow and not many companies where trumpeting the use of data in their successes. As I reflect on where things are now, in mid 2024, I think these are the five biggest successes:

1. Integration of Analytics in Education Curricula

Ten years ago, analytics education was limited to only a few specialized courses and institutions. Today, universities and colleges across the Philippines have integrated analytics into their curricula. Programs in data science, business analytics, and even specialized short courses on topics like Gen AI are now widely available.

This shift has been fueled by the recognition of the importance of analytics in various industries and the need to equip the workforce with relevant skills. For me this is the biggest win. It took a herculean effort from industry, academe and government leaders to shift the mindset and now we really can see the dividends of this effort.

2. Proliferation of Analytics Tools and Technologies

The range of tools and technologies available for analytics has expanded significantly. From traditional software like Excel and SQL to Business Intelligence tools like Tableau and PowerPI to advanced platforms like Python, R, and various machine learning frameworks, the toolbox for data professionals has grown. The adoption of cloud-based analytics solutions such as Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS has also made powerful analytics capabilities accessible to businesses of all sizes.

It has always been my belief that the Filipino people on the whole, are incredibly adaptive and are able to fill talent gaps in various industries. The fact that many BPOs and multinational companies, who have operations in the Philippines, have invested heavily in these tools and hired and trained 100,000’s to use them effectively reinforces this. For my money, many of the best dashboard builders in the world are here. If you need talent well versed in Tableau or PowerBI you will find them here. And that is just one example. Too many more to list.

3. Rise of the Data-Driven Culture in Businesses

A decade ago, most Filipino companies operated on intuition and experience-based decision-making. Today, there is a marked shift towards a data-driven culture. We still have a ways to go, but organizations across industries — be it retail, finance, healthcare, or logistics — have invested in analytics to gain insights, optimize operations, and improve customer experiences. This transformation has been supported by the increasing availability of data and the realization that data-driven decisions can lead to significant competitive advantages.

It is a significant achievement to see Filipino thought leaders among the best data scientists and analytics experts in the world. And now we are striving to lead the way in artificial intelligence. And it all started with a need to quickly and correctly answer simple business questions. Truly amazing.

4. Growth of the Analytics Community and Ecosystem

I will never forget the first meeting of industry and academe leaders coming together to address the need of some kind of formal structure for analytics in the Philippines. Flash forward nearly a decade and we can truly see the analytics community in the Philippines has flourished over the past ten years. It brings me a lot of satisfaction that not only the AAP (originally the Analytics Association of the Philippines and now more inclusive as the Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines) being a beacon of light, but there are now dozens and dozens of professional organizations, meetups, and conferences focusing on data analytics every month.

So much so, they have become common which ten years ago seemed nearly impossible. Local forums on every topic from data storytelling to chatbots for customer service to cutting edge A.I. have enabled professionals to share knowledge, collaborate on projects, and stay updated with the latest trends. This vibrant community has fostered a culture of continuous learning and innovation and is still rocketing upward.

5. Emphasis on Ethical and Responsible Data Use

As analytics has become more pervasive, there has been a growing emphasis on the ethical use of data. Issues related to data privacy, security, and bias in algorithms are now at the forefront of discussions. Regulations like the Data Privacy Act of 2012 have provided a framework for protecting personal information and ensuring responsible data usage. Organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of ethical considerations in building trust with customers and stakeholders.

As more organizations adopt data-driven approaches, the volume of data being collected and analyzed increases exponentially. This surge in data handling amplifies the risk of data breaches and misuse. Ensuring robust data privacy and security measures are in place is crucial to protect sensitive information and maintain public trust. Failure to do so can result in legal consequences, financial losses, and reputational damage.

This should be a constant point of conversation, as the recent CrowdStrike meltdown globally, demonstrated once again we have to really think through our use of analytics tools and how important keeping them running is to our daily lives. While the rapid evolution of the analytics landscape brings numerous benefits, it also presents certain risks that need to be addressed. Luckily, it is a topic just about everywhere I go right now in our community, so I see it as a good thing.

In conclusion, the analytics landscape in the Philippines has transformed dramatically over the past decade. The integration of analytics in education, the proliferation of tools, the rise of a data-driven culture, the growth of the community, and the emphasis on ethical data use are just some of the significant changes. However, it is essential to recognize and address the risks associated with these rapid changes, such system reliability and data privacy concerns.

As we I to the next 10 years, these trends are likely to continue, driving further advancements and opportunities in the field of analytics. So whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting your journey in analytics, there has never been a better time to be part of this dynamic field in the Philippines then right now.

Mr. Dan Meyer is the Founder of Sonic VA, a virtual staffing agency which specializes in matching Filipino Virtual Assistants with American Small & Medium Business clients. Mr. Meyer holds a master’s degree in Education, has over 25 years of business process outsourcing experience and has been a leader in the virtual assistant industry since 2011.

Dan is also an accomplished public speaker and corporate trainer who has personally trained over 10,000 Filipinos in areas such as virtual assistance, data analytics, business process outsourcing and social media marketing & management. Dan’s passion is upskilling the youth with 21st Century skills like graphic design, video editing, & data analytics to empower them for the dynamic job opportunities that lay ahead for millions of Filipinos.