How Daorong Lin Links People Analytics to Business Goals for Maximum Impact
Learn how Daorong Lin, Director of People Analytics at B Capital, uses data-driven insights to align workforce strategies with business goals.
In today's rapidly evolving HR technology landscape, people analytics has become crucial for informed organizational decision-making. Visier recently spoke with Daorong Lin, Director of People Analytics, Rewards & HR Tech at B Capital, a venture capital firm. Lin shared his experiences and insights, highlighting the impact of people analytics in venture capital and beyond.
Bridging data and business strategy
Lin succinctly describes his role: "My job is to provide information and insights to help a company make better decisions about its employees." This encapsulates the transformative power of people analytics—turning raw data into actionable insights that drive strategic business decisions.
He elaborates: "The insights can answer questions ranging from simple ones like headcount in various countries and markets to more strategic ones such as key revenue drivers and employee turnover predictions." This breadth of application underscores the versatility and importance of people analytics in modern business operations.
Lin's role extends beyond HR. "The amount of collaboration scales beyond the HR team," he explains, noting frequent work with finance, sales, and investment teams. This interdisciplinary approach connects human capital strategies with overall business objectives, fostering inclusivity and teamwork.
From LinkedIn to industry-wide impact
Lin's journey in people analytics began at LinkedIn, where he witnessed the power of data-driven insights across various industries and company sizes. This experience fueled his specialization in the field.
One of Lin's most significant achievements occurred at the Singapore Economic Development Board. He led an industry-wide project focusing on new technologies in the manufacturing sector, resulting in a playbook and competency skills map for Singapore's manufacturing sector.
Lin explains: "We created a playbook and competency skills map for Singapore's manufacturing sector, providing an understanding of the skills required for Industry 4.0. With analytics and tech, we quantified and measured these skills, sharing them across the ecosystem—from educational institutes to companies within the sector—to prepare for future talent needs."
Making insights actionable for leadership
When presenting insights to C-suite executives, Lin emphasizes being business outcome-focused:
Articulate the business rationale behind the analysis.
Distill complex analyses into visually supported recommendations.
Provide options, but always give your expert recommendation.
Lin stresses, "It's crucial to focus on why we deliver a certain insight or solution, not just the product or technology. Distill complex analysis into visually supported recommendations and provide options, but always give your recommendation as the expert."
Staying current in a fast-evolving field
Lin adopts a multi-faceted approach to stay updated:
Engaging in physical and online networking sessions
Participating in people analytics WhatsApp groups
Following thought leaders on LinkedIn
Sharing knowledge through university teaching
He elaborates: "I'm part of various communities that keep me informed. I follow thought leaders like David Green on LinkedIn, who summarizes industry developments. Teaching at universities also helps me stay updated and reinforces my learning."
The future of people analytics
Lin foresees people analytics evolving to address new workplace trends like remote work and AI technology. He believes its importance will grow as organizations seek data-driven guidance for workforce management in changing environments.
Advice for aspiring professionals
Lin recommends focusing on two key areas:
Analytical skills: Develop a strong foundation in statistical analysis and mathematical approaches.
Business acumen: Understand markets, commercial terms, and how companies measure success.
He emphasizes linking analytics to business goals: "You can have the fanciest business initiatives or tools, but if they don't solve a business problem or you can't link them to a business goal, they become just a vanity project."
As organizations increasingly recognize the value of data-driven HR decision-making, professionals like Daorong Lin are demonstrating how people analytics can drive strategic business outcomes and shape the future of work.
