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Making Data-Driven Decisions

Confident decision-making starts with asking the right questions and knowing how to use the data you have. This program helps you build the habits, mindset, and fluency to turn information into insight and lead with greater clarity and impact.

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Ivey Hong Kong Campus

1 Harbour Road
Hong Kong, Wanchai, China

November 17-18, 2025

2 days
In-person sessions
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. HKT

Program Overview

Make smarter, faster decisions by learning to think critically with data. Making Data-Driven Decisions equips leaders to spot where data can unlock strategic insight, ask sharper questions, and build habits that turn information into action. Whether you're decoding dashboards or guiding cross-functional teams, you'll gain the confidence to lead with clarity and foster a culture where data informs decisions at every level.

Who Should Attend?

This program is for leaders and professionals who want to make more informed, confident decisions using data—regardless of technical background. It’s ideal for managers, team leads, and cross-functional decision-makers who need to interpret insights, ask better questions, and guide teams in a data-driven direction. If you're responsible for turning information into action and influencing outcomes across your organization, this program will help you lead with clarity and precision.

What Will You Learn?

Build confidence in your ability to use data — not just analyze it, but apply it where it matters most. This program helps you shift from intuition-first to insight-driven thinking, using data as a strategic tool in daily decision-making.

Spot opportunities for data to guide action – Know when data can offer clarity and how to identify the right moments to lean on it.

Ask smarter, more targeted questions – Frame problems in ways that unlock meaningful, actionable answers from your data and your team.

Build comfort with different data types – Strengthen your fluency with qualitative and quantitative insights—even when the information is incomplete or imperfect.

Support a data-informed culture – Learn how to champion and normalize data use across functions, roles, and conversations.

Bridge the gap between analysis and action – Move from insight to decision with practical tools that support timely, informed choices.

You’ll leave with a sharper mindset, a set of adaptable tools, and the confidence to lead in a world where good judgment and good data go hand in hand.

Laurel Austin

Meet Your Faculty

Laurel Austin, PhD

Laurel Austin is a Professor at Ivey Business School and a globally recognized expert in risk management, decision-making under uncertainty, and behavioral strategy. With a unique blend of academic depth and practical application, she helps leaders understand how individuals and organizations assess risk, process information, and make complex decisions—especially when outcomes are uncertain.

Her teaching and research focus on improving decision quality in dynamic, high-stakes environments. Laurel’s insights draw on behavioral science and real-world business challenges, equipping leaders with tools to navigate ambiguity and drive better outcomes. She has worked with executives across industries to enhance organizational resilience, develop strategic foresight, and strengthen leadership judgment through evidence-based approaches.

Value for You

Think Critically with Data: Strengthen your ability to assess, question, and apply data insights to real decisions—not just analyze the numbers.

Build Practical Data Habits: Learn simple, repeatable techniques to integrate data into your day-to-day thinking and leadership.

Ask the Right Questions: Gain clarity on how to frame problems and extract the insights that matter most.

Boost Your Decision Confidence: Use data to reinforce your intuition and communicate decisions with greater clarity and credibility.

Strengthen Your Data Fluency: Become more comfortable interpreting and discussing data — even without a technical background.

Return on Investment

Better, Faster Decision-Making: Equip teams to make timely, evidence-based choices that align with business goals.

Stronger Cross-Functional Alignment: Foster a shared language around data, improving collaboration across departments.

More Strategic Use of Insights: Empower leaders to move from reporting to real insight, driving smarter action.

A Culture of Curiosity and Accountability: Promote data-informed thinking throughout the organization without slowing innovation or momentum.

Reduced Risk of Assumption-Based Decisions: Encourage more thoughtful, informed approaches to problem-solving and planning.

Advance Your Learning. Amplify Your Impact.

Making Data-Driven Decisions counts toward the Ivey Executive Leadership Certificate. Complete any four qualifying programs to earn your certificate and build a powerful, personalized learning journey designed to accelerate your leadership.

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A Practical, Insight-Driven Learning Experience

This program is designed for immediate application. You'll work through realistic scenarios, hands-on exercises, and guided discussions to sharpen your ability to interpret, question, and act on data. Whether you're working with raw numbers or big-picture trends, the focus is on building practical habits that stick.

You’ll learn in a collaborative environment with peers from diverse industries, sharing insights and applying tools to everyday decisions. Led by expert faculty, the experience is immersive, accessible, and tailored to help you bridge the gap between data and confident, informed action.

Take the Next Step Today

Ready to make smarter, faster decisions with data? Schedule a consultation with our learning advisors to discover how this program can help you lead with clarity, boost decision confidence, and foster a data-driven culture across your organization.

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