Averages hide the extremes
I can't remember where I first heard it, but "averages hide the extremes" can be a really useful guide when thinking about how you manage data. Here's a nice illustration from one of my clients:
As they looked at their event registration they saw an average of 100 registrations per month over the course of six months. But a closer look showed that the first month of registration and the last month of registration was where the bulk of those registrations came in. In fact, if they removed the first and last month, the average number of registrations per month was actually more like 50.
The same also happens frequently with membership joins and renewals, certification, and other types of sales.
What this means is averages can be misleading. Basing a decision (e.g., staffing, technology, business processes) on the average number of transactions may lead to some choices that won't serve you well. So be sure to dig deeper when discussing averages.
And on a related note: Using the extremes (rather than the averages) can also be misleading because "extremes" is just another word for exceptions.
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
Start with the end in mind
Start with the end in mind Like so many, I probably first heard the phrase …
It’s quiet in here…maybe TOO quiet…
It’s quiet in here…maybe TOO quiet… One of the truisms of data management is that …
It’s ALWAYS about expectations
It’s ALWAYS about expectations The headline reads: “Tesla sets record for vehicle deliveries, an increase …
It’s hard to get UNangry
It’s hard to get UNangry I often emphasize to my clients the importance of testing …
Some history IS important!
Some history IS important! When I’m advising clients on data conversion (moving data from one …
“Many mickles make a muckle.”
“Many mickles make a muckle.” “Many mickles make a muckle.” – George Washington Apparently, this …
It’s easy to collect; it’s harder to manage
It’s easy to collect; it’s harder to manage The beauty of today’s highly configurable AMS …
Tell them why you want the data
Tell them why you want the data Because data is so easy to collect these …
Don’t get hung up on something minor
Don’t get hung up on something minor I’m a problem solver. I love to solve …
Be flexible, especially for unusual requests
Be flexible, especially for unusual requests One of the great benefits of off-the-shelf association management software (AMS) …