We are about to launch our new affordable Data Analytics Service for the Third Sector. In preparation for this we'll be publishing a series of articles about all things data related. You can read about the benefits of data analytics here.
How many interactions do you have in your daily life that don’t either use or create data? Very few, I’d bet.
Corporations collect and share enormous amounts of our data. They use this data to target resources and predict future demand. The data that Third sector organisations collect can deliver insights which can be used for good. Understanding and visualising your data can help you increase your social impact.
Your data is your greatest strategic asset.
But if you treat your data as just a by-product of your activities you won’t get the most out of its power. Use it well and you’ll make better day-to-day decisions and supercharge your campaigns to expand your membership or increase donations.
A Data Analytics dashboard can deliver insight that will help you to understand the impact of your activities every day. This will enable you to increase your overall efficiency and your ability to respond to change. Data Analytics will supercharge your reporting tasks and save you many hours (or possible days!) reporting to stakeholders.
Demonstration Dashboard
Create a Data Positive Culture
To get the most out of your data you’ll need to have a whole organisation approach. Everyone has a role to play - whether that’s collecting and recording data properly, ensuring its accuracy and reliability; or learning how to make informed decisions based on evidence rather than assumptions.
Creating a data positive culture requires a systematic approach. A data strategy will help ensure you embed change across your organisation. There’s lots to do but where’s best to start?
Lead the way
Data positivity should be woven into the core of your organisation and that means it needs to be championed and supported by senior leadership.
When leaders emphasise the importance of data-driven decision-making, it creates a culture that values data and encourages everyone to improve their data skills. Real impact comes from decisions backed by evidence rather than assumptions.
Data Champions
Introduce "Data Champions'' within your organisation. This is an effective way to promote and advocate for the effective use of data. This is a great way of changing the data culture in your organisation.
Data champions are typically enthusiastic about data and its potential to drive positive change and decision-making within an organisation. They may have various roles and responsibilities related to data literacy and data-driven initiatives. Perhaps you already have some potential data champions in your organisation - does someone spring to mind?
You could build on their enthusiasm and experience by empowering them to train and support others to improve their data skills and promote best practice for data collection, storage, and management to ensure high data quality standards. Help your data champions become even more influential in your organisation by supporting them to keep updated with the latest developments in data analysis and related tools. As they seek to enhance their own data skills and knowledge they will spread those ideas and practises through your organisation.
Developing a healthy data culture also requires everyone to understand its relevance and power. Your data champions could encourage staff to work on real-world data projects relevant to their roles, giving them hands-on experience with data analysis and problem-solving. This can reinforce your staff’s learning, and build confidence in using data.
Your CiviCRM is your secret weapon. Make it the cornerstone of your data strategy.
Aim to import as much of your data into your CiviCRM as possible. Consolidating all of your data in your relational database will make comprehensive analysis of your activities a much easier task.
Find our more about Circle Interactive's new data analytics service.
