Data + Information = Power

Do you realize that there is a difference between data and information? Data doesn't become information without the perspective of analysis and knowledge. For example, data may tell you that 500 calls came into your support center today. But when compared with the average for that day of the week and time of year, was that normal? Were you properly staffed to handle 500 calls? What percentage of those phone calls generated new tickets? Data versus information.

As a manager, knowing your data - numbers and statistics - is a vital foundation for building your reputation for competency. Of course, you can look up anything. But what do you know about your area of responsibility off the top of your head? How large is your gross budget? How many FTE's do you have on your staff? How many calls do you handle per month? How many customers do you serve? What were your net sales this month compared to the same month last year? Do you have information that allows you to quantify your department's productivity?

As a friend of mine says, "You can torture data to tell you anything you want to hear". It's true that you can often make data or statistics into information that is very misleading. Obviously, that will not serve you well. When doing data analysis, you may have a hopeful result in mind, but if the data doesn't cooperate without undue "torture" or manipulation - don't go there. You want to be able to explain your results and defend them with a clear conscience.

When embracing the possibilities for what data can tell you, think about what you want and NEED to know. What data will provide the input for the answers you need? Make sure you are collecting the data you need to produce actionable information.

Finally, data - and even information - is not enough. Whatever you learn needs to be converted into action in the form of continuing improvement of your operation. Learn so you can do things faster, smarter, cheaper, better!

Data + Information = Power... only because you can get a grip on where you are so you can navigate to someplace better. In the meantime, your obvious competency will keep others who may be critics off your back so you can continue to enhance your position of success.