Data Without Drama: Making Numbers Work for Every Team

Every company creates and processes data/sales data, budgets, deadlines, you name it! Let’s be real, data can be a real pain for work. You have a million versions of the same spreadsheet, presentations with stale numbers, and bosses who can’t stop fighting with each other over whose data is correct instead of making plans. Data shouldn’t suck. Once your tools are set up, everything should flow easily between teams and update as it goes, plus you can have confidence that data will provide the best basis for making decisions. We love making this simple; we turn data into something everyone understands and can take action on.

Lark Sheets: one version of the truth

Spreadsheets are powerful tools but are easily a headache when there are different copies of them floating around. Lark Sheets solved that drama by working in one live collaborative environment.

• Real-time co-editors: Each team member can work simultaneously in the same Sheet without version conflicts, unlike other spreadsheet applications. 

• Familiar functions: Every spreadsheet expects all core spreadsheet functions, such as formulas, pivot tables, conditional formatting, etc., are provided. 

• AI-assisted formulas: Smart suggestions help remove complexity in being accurate on complicated calculations and alleviate human error in your calculations! 

• Permissions and protections: You can lock down sensitive data at the cell, column, or sheet level. 

• Data embedding: Sheets can be embedded with a link in Docs or Slides so that reports and presentations have live numbers. 

• The simple outcome: now everyone works from the same source of truth, and teams can waste less time reconciling the difference.

Lark Base: structuring data for clarity

Data is really useful when organized, and put into an appropriate context. Lark Base offers a structure for data so it can become part of workflows and not just sit in spreadsheets.

- Multiple views: Teams can move between kanban, grid, Gantt, or gallery views depending on how they like to visualize data.

- Dashboards: Leaders can instantly see high-level trends-- sales performance, hiring progress, and campaign status.

- Advanced fields: Lark Base's fields capture not only boolean status, but budget, owners, dependencies, and more.

- Automations: Updates that would usually require manual entry such as owners assigned, due date set, or entries updated are OCCURRENCE based automated.

For many organizations, Lark and Base is a CRM app (e.g. managing customers, opportunities, and abstracts about them) that sits along side their internal projects. Data is actionable within Base — organized, visible and flexible as teams grow.

Lark Slides: making numbers tell a story

Data does not create action until a human being interprets it and understands it. This is why presentations are critical, but connecting tools are often scattered - leaving us with outdated and inconsistent slides. Lark Slides connects data to storytelling.

- Collaboration: Multiple users can build or edit a deck simultaneously.

- Linked charts: Charts pulled from Sheets, updates automatically so nobody needs to re-import data.

- Templates: Brand consistency across regions and departments.

- Multimedia: Videos, animations, and graphics that make data engaging and not boring.

- Magic Share: Present slides live in Meetings. Share slides without emailing attachments and losing context.

Slides guarantee teams are telling one consistent story with accurate, live data supporting it.

Lark Mail: bringing numbers out of the inbox

In many organizations, important reports and modifications simply get stuck in email threads. The effectiveness of numbers diminishes when they are buried within attachments or forgotten in distributed long chains. Lark Mail connects the inbox into the greater data ecosystem:

- Schedule send: Allows you to send updates at the right times for the recipient.

- Read receipts: Allows you to see who received reports and/or data-driven messages.

- Labels and filters: Keeps recurring reports organized, so they are easy to find.

- Email to Messenger: Puts critical updates into team discussions immediately, rather than relying on inboxes to be someone's priority.

- Email to Calendar: Turn emailed deadlines or updates into events on your calendar with one-click.

Rather than isolating data in the inbox, Mail connects the data to your work.

Lark Approval: transparency in data-driven decisions

Numbers typically initiate decision-making - budget requests, hiring approvals, and contract reviews. However, when approvals occur in system silos, approvals stall or, worse, are lost in the ether. Lark Approval keeps the process transparent and frictionless. 

- Custom forms: Record all information needed for each request type.

- Conditional workflows: Requests will go to the appropriate decision-maker without any manual intervention.

- Messengers notifications: Allow updates to surface where people are already collaborating.

- Base sync: Every approval in Lark is recorded so nothing is lost, it is fully traceable and held accountable.

- Automated flows: When Lark Approval proceeds an automated workflow process it prevents bottlenecks and slowdowns for making data driven decisions. 

Approvals will not only be less dramatic, but decisions can now be made in a timely, efficient manner.

Lark OKR: connecting numbers to outcomes

Data tells you what already happened, and what should happen next. Lark OKR connects the daily metrics to the strategic outcomes.

- Goal setting - objectives can be created at the organisation, team, or individual level.

- Key results - KPIs and metrics to show progress automatically.

- Dashboards - Leaders and employees track progress in real-time.

- Reminders - teams focus on the most important things instead of just what's urgent.

- Cycle management - Admin features keep OKR in sync with the business as it evolves. 

With OKR, data means something - it's not just reportable numbers, it’s a pathway to achieve the objective.

Conclusion

Numbers should be a source of empowerment and not overwhelm. However, fragmented systems are forcing data into drama which distract and build distrust among teams. Lark eliminates that by making data collaborative, organized, and connected.

Sheets offer one version of the truth, Base organizes information into workflows, Slides tell impactful stories, Mail keeps the inbox connected, Approval ensures decisions are speedy and transparent, and OKR connects numbers to outcomes.

In a market flush with project management tools, Lark stands alone because it doesn't just aggregate data - Lark makes it usable. For every team in every department, Lark makes sure that numbers are not a source of anxiety, but a source of clarity and movement.

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