Lumen Impact Group
Lumen Impact Group

Data in Action: The Power of Turning Numbers into Narratives

Published: July 31, 2024

By Cori Egan, Junior Partner

“With great power comes great responsibility.” — This famous line from Spider-Man rings true not just for superheroes, but for organizations managing their data. At Lumen, we believe that with the right data, organizations can harness their power for continuous improvement and create lasting impact.

In our previous post, we talked about the importance of capturing both quantitative and qualitative data to get a full picture of an organization’s impact. But gathering data is just the beginning. The real magic happens when organizations learn how to use this data effectively.

The first step is to decide what data is important. Imagine your organization is a chef in a bustling kitchen. You wouldn’t throw every spice into the pot, right? You’d choose the ones that enhance the dish. Similarly, we help organizations determine which data points are the essential ingredients for their recipe for success. Whether it’s tracking student engagement metrics at a school or monitoring client satisfaction at a nonprofit, we ensure you’re not overwhelmed with data you don’t need. By focusing on the most impactful data, you save time and resources, allowing you to concentrate on what truly matters and avoid getting bogged down by extra details.

Once you’ve got the right data, it’s time to engage your stakeholders. Picture the Avengers assembling—each hero brings unique strengths to the table. Engaging stakeholders with data is like calling in your team of superheroes. By sharing insights with teachers, board members, or employees, you increase buy-in and collaboration. When everyone sees the progress and understands where more work is needed, it fosters a united front for continuous improvement.

Then, consider how you might share your data externally with potential funders and partners. It’s like telling your organization’s story and using compelling data to showcase the real impact you’re having on people’s lives. These stories don’t just tug at heartstrings; they demonstrate tangible results and can secure the support needed to expand your reach. Additionally, sharing data externally builds transparency and trust with your community, enhances your organization’s credibility, and provides evidence of accountability. It also creates opportunities for collaboration with other organizations, driving innovation and amplifying your impact.

So, remember: with great power comes great responsibility. By choosing the right data to track, engaging your stakeholders, and sharing your story effectively, you can turn numbers into narratives and propel your organization forward. At Lumen, we’re here to help you navigate the waters and unlock the full potential of your data, one insightful stroke at a time.

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"“They don’t tell you what you want to hear. They tell you what you need to hear. That makes a huge difference. We needed to understand our weaknesses in order to make the organization work right, and I was overwhelmed by how they really got it and they helped us to get it too. They were able to do it in a way that really made me want to understand the goals we needed to focus on. I believe Lumen was absolutely the best we could have found.”"
Barbara Sellinger
Cresthaven Academy
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Caroline Novak
Alabama School Readiness Alliance
"“The Lumen team did a really good job sharing the hard truths with us. Their findings were different from what we were expecting, but they used the information to push us farther than we originally planned. They were candid and didn’t hide anything from us. We’re now on the path to developing products that are very different from what we’ve done before but are hopefully much more useful for the people we serve.” "
Drew Jacobs
National Alliance of Public Charter Schools
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Tyler Barnett
New Schools for Alabama
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Kristen Forbriger
City Fund