Shadow data management happens whenever data scientists or analysts copy data from the primary, IT-approved database to run analysis with their own tools in their own environments — many of which have not gone through the rigor of IT approvals. This is an issue that will create many headaches, ranging from security vulnerabilities to inadequate … Continue reading How to Combat Shadow Data Management
10 Visualisations Every Data Scientist Should Know
Data visualisation plays two key roles: 1. Communicating results clearly to a general audience. 2. Organizing a view of data that suggests a new hypothesis or a next step in a project. It’s no surprise that most people prefer visuals to large tables of numbers. That’s why clearly labeled plots with meaningful interpretation always make … Continue reading 10 Visualisations Every Data Scientist Should Know
7 Steps to Ensure and Sustain Data Quality
Before data science became mainstream, data quality was mostly mentioned for the reports delivered to internal or external clients. Nowadays, because machine learning requires a large amount of training data, the internal datasets within an organization are in high demand. In addition, the analytics are always hungry for data and constantly search for data assets … Continue reading 7 Steps to Ensure and Sustain Data Quality
4 tips for launching a successful data strategy
Becoming a data-driven fundraising organisation isn't as simple as amassing loads of data. If it were, more charities would already be reaping the rewards. A bald allusion to the Rime of the Ancient Mariner comes to mind, “Data, data everywhere, but not a drop to use.” Which data should we collect? Which department “owns” the … Continue reading 4 tips for launching a successful data strategy
Data doesn’t speak for itself: Why data storytelling is important
Almost all data is a recording of past events - what has happened before. People have to explore and analyze it to find historical truth, in the hopes it can reveal trends, inform the next direction to take, and act as a guide for the actions necessary to improve the future. For analysts in an … Continue reading Data doesn’t speak for itself: Why data storytelling is important
Data insight made easy: using RFM scoring to find great prospects
As fundraisers, when we think about data analysis today, we’re likely to drift into the world of complex modeling practices that predict what donors are most likely to give based on a wide variety of factors. Go to any conference and you’re bound to hear about the wonder of Big Data. But if you work … Continue reading Data insight made easy: using RFM scoring to find great prospects
Have an exit strategy (and other unexpected lessons learned)
Like many of us, Kurstin Finch Gnehm, Deputy Director of Philanthropy at the Royal Academy of Music had an unplanned, crash course in virtual events earlier this year. With four cultivation 'Coffees with the Principal' and a Scholars' Recital in the books and her team still emotionally intact, Kurstin shares some of her lessons learned. … Continue reading Have an exit strategy (and other unexpected lessons learned)
How Do You Measure Project Performance – The KPIs That Really Matter
With any business initiative, there’s an expectation that performance is monitored and measured to gauge return on investment and to determine if goals were achieved; business projects are no exception. Since data drives many decisions today, you will likely be expected to measure project performance with data. Here, Bernard Marr shares some of the key … Continue reading How Do You Measure Project Performance – The KPIs That Really Matter
Visualizations That Really Work
Not long ago, the ability to create smart data visualizations, or dataviz, was a nice-to-have skill. For the most part, it benefited design- and data-minded managers who made a deliberate decision to invest in acquiring it. That’s changed. Now visual communication is a must-have skill for all managers, because more and more often, it’s the … Continue reading Visualizations That Really Work
10 Ways to Make Your Nonprofit’s Fundraising More Social
Online fundraising is becoming more popular each year. It is offering new opportunities for nonprofits to improve their fundraising success while trying out new channels. As more people are inspired to donate online, social media can make an extremely useful addition to your fundraising strategy. It can help you reach a younger audience but also … Continue reading 10 Ways to Make Your Nonprofit’s Fundraising More Social
Propper Fundraising 