Why measuring change can be so hard A conversation I had with a friend yesterday reminded me why measuring change is so hard. I was telling this friend how proud I was of them because I could see how differently they were talking about themself now from a few years ago. Nothing directly measurable about… Continue reading Why measuring change can be so hard
Why telling your story can solve your #1 problem Someone asked me recently what I think is the biggest problem that child- and family-serving organizations are facing right now. My answer? Funding. Organizations that are trying to make the world better aren’t doing their work for a profit. They’re figuring out how to get the… Continue reading Why telling your story can solve your #1 problem
How to avoid toddler-like meltdowns about your data Have you ever tried putting a toddler to bed when they’re off their routine? If you’re a parent or caregiver, you’re already cringing because you know it’s a nightmare. Bedtime routines are a sacred system – a protocol – that allow evenings to run smoothly. Everyone knows… Continue reading How to avoid toddler-like meltdowns about your data
A FREE tool for you to take control of your data! The past two weeks, I’ve been walking you through the Engage with Data process, starting with discovering what you’ve already got and assessing what you need. And like a good former teacher, now I’ve got a way for you to put it into practice.… Continue reading A FREE tool for you to take control of your data!
What’s driving you nuts about your data right now? We all love to complain sometimes. C’mon, you know a venting session feels pretty good. But thinking through the things we’re always complaining about can actually give us good information. So when I work with child- and family-serving organizations, I invite them to complain. Seriously. Until… Continue reading What’s driving you nuts about your data right now?
The biggest data myth about family-serving organizations There’s a misconception out there about about agencies and non-profits who are early in their data journey – that they don’t have enough of it. But here’s my theory about child- and family-serving organizations and data: Even if they’re not sure what to do with it, they probably have… Continue reading The biggest data myth about family-serving organizations
Giving your organization a confidence boost Recently, my 4 year-old daughter was having trouble falling asleep. So like I’ve done before, I talked to her and told her all the things I love about her. I told her that she was kind, loving, curious, funny … And before I could continue, she added strong and… Continue reading Giving your organization a confidence boost
Is my guilty pleasure show evidence-based? A while back, I was telling a colleague that I had allowed myself to watch one season of my guilty pleasure show over winter break. What was the show? Married at First Sight. (Deep breath … Okay, I admitted it.) If you’re not familiar with the show, it is… Continue reading Is my guilty pleasure show evidence-based?
Head versus heart in evaluation Last Friday, I had a blast presenting at the Ohio Program Evaluators Group (OPEG) Spring Exchange about how we can use our evaluation skillset to empower and engage communities that are being silenced and harmed. My presentation was the last one on a full-day agenda featuring the work of many… Continue reading Head versus heart in evaluation
The good, the bad, and the really bad of data viz When I see a really great chart or graph (data visualization or “data viz”) … or a really terrible one, I’ll take a screenshot of it. I’m cool like that. But here’s why I do it. The really good ones get me excited, and… Continue reading The good, the bad, and the really bad of data viz
