Show the Value of What You Do

How do you prove the value of work that transforms lives and communities but doesn't show up directly on a balance sheet?

1: Start with Clear Goals

To measure success, begin by defining what it looks like. Specify what you want to achieve and make it measurable. Start any project by identifying the ultimate outcome you aim for.

When a new police chief joined a department struggling with citizen complaints, they set a clear goal: reduce complaints to save the city from legal expenses. This focus helped align all efforts towards achieving this measurable outcome. Similarly, Uber initially aimed to provide faster, cheaper rides compared to taxis—a tangible goal that secured buy-in from stakeholders. Having measurable goals not only guides efforts but also helps justify investments and maintain project focus.

Examples

• The police chief tracked payouts before and after implementing new officer training.
• Uber's early success was tied to meeting its measurable goals for speed and affordability.
• Flexible workplace policies have been shown to retain employees, proving their value as an investment.

2: Define Success Through Metrics

Success isn't just about results—it's how you measure those results. Metrics give a clear picture of your progress and impact, especially for programs with intangible benefits.

For example, consider a chaplain working in an ICU. Comforting families and patients is their mission, but how do you show that comfort translates into value? By measuring outcomes like reduced patient stays and hospital costs, you link spiritual care to financial savings. Metrics also guide behavioral changes; staff can be taught to detect spiritual distress more effectively. These measurable improvements demonstrate the larger impact of the chaplain's work.

Examples

• A shorter hospital stay saves money for patients and hospitals alike.
• Nurses screening for spiritual distress aids holistic patient care.
• Metrics like patient satisfaction or lower readmissions showcase program contributions.

3: Choose the Right Solution

Solving a problem means identifying gaps and implementing creative, targeted solutions. Addressing the right need is the first step to real progress.

In a homelessness reduction program, solutions might range from job training to providing affordable housing. Prioritize actions that have maximum impact. For example, you might train caseworkers to better connect clients to resources or use data analytics to map where services are most needed. Align solutions with the cost and potential returns while remaining mindful of both short- and long-term benefits.

Examples

• Adding affordable housing reduced homelessness rates in several cities.
• Training staff in trauma-informed care improved client outcomes.
• Resource allocation based on data pinpointed neighborhoods needing specialized services.

4: Inspire Action through Value

Communicating the personal impact of a project inspires those involved to take action willingly. Motivation is key to transforming ideas into results.

When introducing a new training program, show staff its value. For a police chief aiming to reduce complaints, emphasize how better training not only improves skills but also earns public trust. Similarly, nonprofits have used storytelling to showcase how donor contributions change lives, motivating further generosity.

Examples

• Employees motivated by improving public trust embraced new police training.
• Nonprofits found storytelling cemented donor engagement.
• Teachers saw professional development benefits when linked to student success.

5: Set and Track Objectives

Objectives are like guideposts; they keep efforts on course and show measurable progress over time. They ensure everyone is working toward the same result.

Martin Burt's Poverty Stoplight program set 50 detailed poverty reduction milestones. These objectives included financial literacy, homeownership, and access to resources, providing a concrete blueprint for participants. For any project, objectives should be specific, assessed regularly, and adjusted as needed to include learnings from setbacks.

Examples

• Participants in Burt's program were guided by practical steps like budgeting skills.
• Graduation rates improved after schools set detailed educational milestones.
• Public health campaigns tracked outcomes, such as vaccinations administered.

6: Collect Meaningful Data

The right data can make or break a project. Gathering it thoughtfully and systematically ensures accuracy and clarity in assessing progress.

Data collection begins with predefined objectives. Tools like surveys, interviews, and cost analyses help gather the right information. For example, an ICU chaplain could use satisfaction surveys to understand families' experiences. Efficient tools such as online polls or performance trackers streamline the process without overwhelming staff or participants.

Examples

• Family surveys revealed the chaplaincy's emotional support impact.
• Fitness trackers measured physical activity increases in wellness programs.
• Online polls gauging public opinions provided rapid insights for community efforts.

7: Prove Results with ROI

To validate your program's worth, calculate its monetary impact. Show how benefits outweigh costs through well-communicated ROI.

For example, officer training costing $50,000 but reducing legal settlements by $150,000 reveals an ROI of 200%. Simple comparisons between "before" and "after" help isolate the effects of your project from other factors. Stakeholders are more likely to invest if you express value in dollars and percentages.

Examples

• A 200% ROI on training programs convinced city officials to fund additional sessions.
• Hospitals expanded chaplain programs after cost-saving metrics were shared.
• Some nonprofits demonstrated donor money's value by breaking down ROI for each dollar spent.

8: Communicate Results Effectively

Share achievements in ways tailored to your audience. Tailored presentations, comprehensive reports, and engaging visuals resonate differently with different groups.

Sponsors might need high-level data for funding decisions, while staff might want success stories showing how their work mattered. The police chief reducing complaints could compile a public success narrative, building community trust and encouraging additional reforms. Always ensure that your message connects logically to audience priorities.

Examples

• Sponsors received ROI highlights during funding renewal meetings.
• Staff morale improved after celebrating milestones like reduced complaints.
• Public trust strengthened when results were framed as part of a broader mission.

9: Learn and Leverage for Future Impact

Success is only the beginning. Evaluate outcomes, refine strategies, and apply lessons learned to amplify results in new ventures.

Take the example of a school digitalizing its admission process. Results prompted administrators to guide other schools through similar changes. Likewise, nonprofits often share successful pilot results for large-scale implementation. As efforts grow, the knowledge gained positions leaders to enact even greater change.

Examples

• Universities sought advice from peers after admissions became faster online.
• Nonprofits replicated campaigns to address community hunger elsewhere.
• Youth programs inspired nationwide initiatives after local success stories spread.

Takeaways

1. Define clear and measurable goals from the start, complete with baseline data, to focus efforts and justify projects.
2. Prove the value of your work by systematically employing metrics, return on investment, and effective communication tailored to your audience.
3. Use each success or failure as a stepping stone to innovate further, widen your impact, and help others replicate effective strategies.