Be concise!
I started a monthly newsletter almost 25 years ago (which I recently discontinued). And almost six years ago I started writing these "Wednesday Wisdom" missives. I've received more compliments about my Wednesday Wisdom in six years than I have for my monthly newsletter in nearly 25 years ago.
Why? Because these missives are concise. They focus on a single, simple point. And as a result, they're "easier" to read than my longer monthly columns were.
Several readers have said some variation of "I know I can read this right away as opposed to setting it aside to read later, which I know I won't do." (One reader even told me: "Yours is the only newsletter that I don't immediately delete.")
What's this got to do with data management? Ultimately, everything we do involves communication. How we communicate with our members. How we communicate with our software vendors. How we communicate with other staff. That includes the data we collect and the data we use.
If we can be more concise in all of these communications, we're more likely to get our message across to whomever it is we're communicating with.
I've already gone on too long! Be concise.
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
“Correct your mistakes before they become your habits”
“Correct your mistakes before they become your habits” Yet another great quote from James Clear: “Correct […]
Sometimes it’s a process issue
Sometimes it’s a process issue When I work with clients on developing a needs list […]
First ask: “How will I use this data?”
First ask: “How will I use this data?” Whether it’s during data conversion, adding a […]
“We run the report three times and get three different results.”
“We run the report three times and get three different results.” “We run the same […]
How do you know if you’re making progress?
How do you know if you’re making progress? We all want to improve our data management, […]
Don’t move too quickly OR too slowly
Don’t move too quickly OR too slowly This may sound like a big “duh!” but I’ll […]
“Your current habits are perfectly designed to deliver your current results.”
“Your current habits are perfectly designed to deliver your current results.” “Your current habits are […]
There is value in just going through the exercise
There is value in just going through the exercise I was working with a client […]
Daylight savings and business rules
Daylight savings and business rules This past Sunday, most of the US observed Daylight Savings […]
It’s always about priorities
It’s always about priorities No matter the size or type of technology project, you will […]