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Measurement Resources’ Monthly Article
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Would you like to keep your programs funded while saving stakeholders $250,000,000 with a single Excel spreadsheet? It happened to one organization I’ve worked with. The current economic climate is changing the way funds are allocated, not drying up all funds. Available funds will go to programs that demonstrate a positive return on the funder’s investment. This requires organizations to let go of excuses and jump into the 21st century. Demonstrating return on investment and positioning your organization to keep or even increase your current level is not as difficult as it may seem. Change the way your organization thinks and uses data and you will dramatically increase efficiencies and revenues. Nonprofit and government organizations that consistently use performance and evaluation data in their daily decision making are 50 percent more likely to experience success with increasing revenues (read Performance Measures Increase Revenues for more detail). Despite this evidence, less than half of nonprofit organizations are fully embracing effective measurement cultures (Carmen & Fredericks., 2010). Organizations put off implementing performance and outcome measurement systems because they believe they lack the required resources. The expense of technology is often used as an excuse that stops nonprofits and government organizations from implementing these critical activities. As a result, they miss out on new and renewed funding opportunities. Your organization currently houses or can easily afford all the tools you need. Expensive technology systems are nice to have; but they do not guarantee increased funding success. Some of the most successful measurement cultures are reinforced by simple and inexpensive technology solutions. For a small investment you can start electronically collecting and gathering feedback from staff, clients, and collaborators. Excel is a great low cost solution to start building performance measurement systems. Surveymonkey.com and Zoomerang.com are great alternatives for electronic data gathering. Use these tools to start capturing pre-post scores, stakeholders’ attitudes, and perception of impact. Not only are the data collected and stored electronically, but you have the ability to easily create well-designed graphs or transfer data to an Excel spreadsheet for merging with other performance measurement sources. Stop making technology an excuse and start doing the inexpensive and effective actions for increasing revenues. Here are four steps to get you started. 1. Develop your performance and outcome measures first. 2. Then create a low cost plan to start collecting, analyzing, and using the information. 3. Once you start using these impactful data in your work, you will see your revenues increase. 4. Then you will be able to afford the more advanced technology systems. Starting with the low cost options allows you to know exactly what technology is needed to support your new data-driven culture. You are the driver, not technology.
Would you like to learn how you can improve your efforts, so you too can experience amazing results in 2011? Then take our free, no obligation Measurement Culture Survey and receive a customized benchmarking report giving you pinpointed solutions to achieving excellence with data.
Already know you want to take your organization to the next level in 2011? Email us today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation, 20 minute strategy session to discuss your needs and learn how Measurement Resources can provide the right solution and support to achieve your goals?
Sheri Chaney Jones President Measurement Resources Company April 2011
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Effective and Inexpensive Strategies for Increasing Revenues |
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Measurement Resources Company 7639 Ashworth Pl. Columbus, OH 43235| 614.893.0773 | www.measurementresourcesco.com
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Sheri Chaney Jones -President and Founder Strengthening communities one organization at a time. |
