Primary leverage point of data

You are tired of hearing it.

As a leader trying to leverage data, you hear people say it all the time.

But it's frustrating and exhausting.

"Win with data"

"Data is the new oil"

"You need to be data-driven".

"You are falling behind if you aren't using AI".

It's buzzwords. With no actionable advice. But as a leader, you feel a responsibility to do this, but with no clarity about where to start.

And so you fall into one of two extremes:

❌ Go all in on a major data initiative and invest tons of funds - somehow hoping to move the needle on this data stuff.

❌ Or you play it safe and conservative. You don't rock the boat. You don't want to waste donor funds on something you don't understand.

Both will fail you in the long run.

Instead, start here:

✅ Practice using data in making decisions.

Yes, you probably think you already do this. But for a couple of weeks, give it explicit and overt attention. Call it out in your process.

Before spending tens of thousands building data infrastructure, databases, analytical tools, and hiring data staff.

Here's a simple framework to understand how to use data in your org this week:

• -> 1. Identify a key decision you are facing this week.

• -> 2. Describe or quantify how much uncertainty you have in the decision you are making.

• -> 3. What information would help you reduce your level of uncertainty?

• -> 4. Find that information from your team.

• -> 5. Reassess your level of uncertainty.

• -> 6. Make your decision with more confidence.

A primary point of leverage for data is in reducing uncertainty in decision-making.

DM if you are ready to start doing something with data.

I’m glad you are here,

Sawyer