Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Good writing is not a natural gift. You have to learn to write well. Here are
10 hints:
Read the Roman-Raphaelson book on writing. Read it three times.
Write the way you talk. Naturally.
Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs.
Never use jargon words like reconceptualize, demassification, attitudinally,
judgmentally. They are hallmarks of a pretentious ass.
Never write more than two pages on any subject.
Check your quotations.
Never send a letter or a memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next
morning—and then edit it.
If it is something important, get a colleague to improve it.
Before you send your letter or your memo, make sure it is crystal clear what
you want the recipient to do.
If you want ACTION, don't write. Go and tell the guy what you want.
DEFINING MEANINGFuL AND ACTIONABLE METRICS
Metrics, as you know from Chapter 4, “A Consumer's Guide to Data,” are the
values that you use to judge performance. They are also the focal point of any
data product. They are the numerical reflection of the real-world behavior that
your organization wants to improve, avoid, or shape. For example:
In the credit card industry, “share of wallet” is a popular measure. The
number represents the portion of a consumer's total spending that the
specific card issuer has managed to capture. For the card issuer, it can't
influence the total disposable income of its customers, but it can try
to influence them to pull out their card more often at the cash register
or in front of their computers.
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The No Child Left Behind legislation created an unprecedented focus
on metrics in American schools. The primary measurement to receive
federal funding under the Act is Annual Yearly Progress (AYP). To
receive federal funding and avoid the “failing school” label, all students
must meet a minimum level of proficiency on state standardized tests.
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