How would you respond to this interview question?

[Twinkletwinklelittlestarx]

Hi,

I’ve just had a job interview and one question keeps bothering me. I’ve changed some details for confidentiality but the idea is:

You are conducting a financial analysis for Company X, a multinational business. Sally- company’s X main stakeholder wants data on Country A performance compared to the rest of Europe. Country A is not a part of your analysis as company X has only been operating in that country for a year so not enough info.
Do you provide the data to Sally or not and why?
I said yes as they are they client and at the end of the day it’s up to them what they do with it. DH says I should have said no, as the data might be misleading.
WWYD?

I would have said "Yes, but..."

And then would have described how I'd caveat the data with the fact that the timeframe was so short, but compare its trajectory to similar size or performing countries to give potential scenarios for growth.

Basically, BS to tell them what they want to hear.

I would say the same as your husband

I would say yes however I would add a disclaimer that it's only a snap shot of X dates and not a complete picture

My brain would explode from confusion.

I would explain why the data is insufficiently robust, but I would present what I could, with many caveats about how it should or shouldn't be used.

No the data is not robust

I'd have said yes but explained to Sally that the data is not reliable because of x, y and z so shouldn't be used in any official reporting or business decision-making.

The 'we do whatever the client wants' approach isn't sensible. I used to work for a whole company with that mindset. It meant we were treated like shit and blamed every time something went wrong.

I would say 'yes but...' as well.

You provide whatever data is available and specify that they are interim figures only, with no prior figures to compare them with, and as such you have insufficient information to form the basis of an opinion.

Say yes & explain its limitations in comparison to the other data available.

Gosh, I was only asked what animal I'd be!

I said a sloth because they have nice long nails.🦥

I didn't get the job.

Wish I'd gone with my first thought now - a unicorn. 🦄

Because apparently they can pee rainbows. 🌈

My answer would have been to caveat the data before even providing it, but if the main stakeholder clearly understood the data set would be incomplete and therefore unreliable for substantive comparison then I would provide on that basis providing it aligned with company policy.

My thoughts exactly. There will be some useful data in there just make sure limitations are understood

Thanks everyone!