Peel back the noise. Free the insights.
I help people and organisations make sense of complex systems — through consulting, writing, and the kind of questions data alone won’t answer. That often means turning information into understanding — finding the story behind the data. While Data Storytelling is a common practice in analytics, I focus on the part that’s often missing: clarity, context, and meaning that drive better decisions.
What is Data Storytelling?
In practice, it’s more than just charts and dashboards. For me, data storytelling means uncovering what the data actually means — the “what this means for you” part — not just what it shows. Sometimes that means highlighting the missing context. Sometimes it’s noticing what’s not being asked. Often, it’s about linking the data to the human decisions behind it. Whether I’m working with people, spreadsheets, or systems, I look for the story that isn’t loud — but matters most.
Robert Sutherland - the guy that gets stuff done!
By reputation, I’m the guy who gets stuff done — whether that meant building intuitive Excel tools, delivering BI insight in high-pressure environments, or helping people see what they were really trying to solve. I’ve long been a trusted resource — the person people turn to when the problem is messy, the stakes are high, or the usual answers won’t cut it. My background spans business analysis, data modelling, Excel/VBA development, and working with large-scale systems — all underpinned by a deep interest in human matters: how we think, decide, and make meaning. The common thread has always been clarity — cutting through the noise to find what matters. These days, I write about the questions that don’t always live in spreadsheets — ethics, systems, identity, and how we relate to technology. I still consult selectively, especially when a challenge needs framing before it needs fixing. If you’re looking for calm thinking, sharp structure, and a bias toward action — that’s still who I am. Let’s Talk Email: dataonion@outlook.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rssutherland Substack: rssutherland.substack.com
What I offer
My work isn’t about tools — it’s about clarity. In a world overloaded with data and distractions, knowing where to focus, what to ask, and when to act is essential. That’s where I come in. Consulting & Structured Thinking I help individuals and organisations make sense of complexity, reframe challenges, and take meaningful action. Whether it’s through analysing systems, designing processes, or simply asking the right questions, my focus is always on helping you see clearly and move forward with confidence. Technical Expertise (When It’s Right) I’ve spent decades developing business-focused Excel models and automation, always with an focus on the business outcomes and the user’s experience. My work expanded into Data Science and Power BI, where I extract insights from large data sets in ways that matter to the people using them. These tools still play a role when clarity and precision are needed. Writing & Thought Partnership My writing is a journey of curiosity — an exploration into the deeper questions that often get overlooked in business, technology, and life. From AI and ethics to the oddities of human behaviour, I explore the things that don’t always make sense at first glance. This is a place for odd, layered ideas — the kind that’s grown from a mind that’s constantly seeking patterns and meaning in Data to the deeper datasets of my own mind. While it’s early days, I welcome conversations with people who value clarity, curiosity, and thoughtful exploration — not just quick fixes.About me and how to reach me
Why DataOnion?
Because everything meaningful has layers. I started DataOnion to help businesses find clarity in their data — to peel back dashboards, spreadsheets, and noise until insight emerged. But over time, I realised this wasn’t just a technical process. It was human. Whether I’m working with data, clients, or now artificial intelligence, the goal is the same: uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface. DataOnion has evolved from a consultancy rooted in Excel and Power BI into something broader — a practice that still values clarity and structure, but also embraces complexity, conversation, and the bigger questions: What drives decision-making? What matters in a world of machines? Where is the line between noise and knowing? These days, I write as much as I analyse. I still consult — but only when the challenge calls for insight, not just output. DataOnion is the same - just focussed deeper.
Peel back the noise.
Free the insights.
I help people and organisations make sense of complex systems — through consulting, writing, and the kind of questions data alone won’t answer. That often means turning information into understanding — finding the story behind the data. While data storytelling is common in analytics, I focus on what’s often missing: clarity, context, and meaning that drive better decisions.
What is Data
Storytelling?
It’s more than dashboards and charts. To me, data storytelling means uncovering what the data actually means — the “what this means for you” part, not just what it shows. Sometimes it’s about what’s missing. Sometimes it’s about what’s not being asked. Often, it’s about linking the data to human decisions. Whether I’m working with people, spreadsheets, or systems, I look for the story that isn’t loud — but matters most.Robert Sutherland - the guy that
gets stuff done!
I’ve always been the guy who gets stuff done — from building Excel tools to delivering insight in high- pressure environments, or helping people figure out what they were really solving. I became a trusted resource — the person people turned to when the stakes were high, or the usual answers weren’t enough. My background spans business analysis, data modelling, Excel/VBA development, and working with large-scale systems — all grounded in a deep interest in human matters: how we think, decide, and make meaning. Now I write, consult selectively, and still bring calm thinking, sharp structure, and a bias toward action. Let’s Talk Email: dataonion@outlook.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rssutherland Substack: rssutherland.substack.comWhat I offer
Consulting & Structured Thinking I help people reframe challenges and make better decisions — through analysis, systems design, or asking better questions. Technical Expertise (When It’s Right) I’ve spent decades building business-focused Excel tools and automations, always tuned to outcomes and users. I later moved into data science and Power BI, uncovering hidden patterns and relationships in large datasets. I still use these tools — when they’re the clearest path forward. Writing & Exploration My writing explores the deeper questions that don’t fit in dashboards — ethics, identity, and how we relate to technology. This is a space for layered thinking — grown from a mind trained on data, now digging into the deeper datasets of human experience. I’m open to thoughtful collaboration — not quick fixes.
Why DataOnion?
Everything meaningful has layers. I started DataOnion to help businesses find clarity in their data — to peel back dashboards, spreadsheets, and noise until insight emerged. Over time, I realised it wasn’t just a technical process. It was human. Now, whether I’m working with data, clients, or AI, the goal is the same: uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface. DataOnion has evolved from an Excel/BI consultancy into something broader — a practice rooted in structure and clarity, but open to conversation, complexity, and the bigger questions: What drives decision-making? What matters in a world of machines? Where’s the line between noise and knowing? These days, I write as much as I analyse. I still consult — when the challenge calls for insight, not just output. Same name. Focused deeper.
