Years ago, we wrote a post titled “It’s Just a Database,” emphasizing that a database is just a tool, and it’s only as good as the data you put in it. Now, we are revisiting that theme in response to a common request we receive. Nonprofits often reach out to us seeking help to transition[…]
Organizations create lots of files. Plans, budgets, procedures, marketing pieces, grant applications, reports, timelines, proposals, memos, newsletters, meeting agendas and summaries (I hope), and on and on. You create, save, and share hundreds of files each month. As I pointed out in my last post, how we name, edit, and save theses files determines how[…]
A messy shared drive is more than a headache. It’s a business process and knowledge management disaster. An organization cannot plan thoughtfully, design intentionally, work efficiently, and learn continuously if it cannot store, find, and use its decisions, plans, efforts, and insights. Google Drive, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc. are all powerful tools for file sharing and[…]
I love surveys. I love designing them and completing them. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve filled out satisfaction and feedback surveys every time I’ve been asked. My love of surveys has won/earned me free meals and theater tickets, and discounts or refunds on all kinds of products and services. I love surveys! I’ve[…]
We’re continuing our series on performance management by handing the mic back to Megan Ondr-Cooper of CASA of St. Louis. This week, Megan will share the questions she and her teammates asked along their journey toward a meaningful performance management system. As Sarah shared in her post last week, performance management is a system and[…]
The IllumiLab is excited to present a second blog series from our contributor and client Megan Ondr-Cooper from CASA of St. Louis. This summer, she shared some fun Excel tips with us. This month, she’s sharing her experience with performance management. Too often, nonprofits struggle to demonstrate meaningful impact. They collect data, but only really[…]
In our last post, we looked at setting a vision for your database. Now that the vision for your organization’s database has been established and shared, what’s next? Now it’s time to engage and support your teammates in efforts to achieve your vision. Teach a Man to Fish There’s an old Chinese proverb that goes[…]
So you’ve just completed implementation on a database for your organization or inherited one that your organization has used, to some extent, for decades. Now what? Well, whether you’re starting with a clean slate or trying to breathe new life back into your system, it’s time to step back and think about a vision for[…]
This is the last of five posts in a series on how nonprofits can leverage Excel to simplify, streamline, and accelerate their data analysis. The IllumiLab is grateful to have one of our clients, Megan Ondr-Cooper of CASA St. Louis, sharing her enthusiasm and expertise with us. This time, Megan is talking about functions .[…]
Ok, maybe I oversold this a little in the title, but I got your attention! This is the fourth post in a series on how nonprofits can leverage Excel to simplify, streamline, and accelerate their data analysis. The IllumiLab is grateful to have one of our clients, Megan Ondr-Cooper of CASA St. Louis, sharing her[…]