Metrics are not just numbers—they are also storytellers.
In Starbucks - A Year of Good, lots of numbers are displayed to tell some interesting micro-stories. We see that drinking Starbucks coffee did a lot of good last year. Watch now if you have not seen it; or, view it again—it only takes a minute.
Business metrics are, of course, based on numbers. Most of us ordinarily regard numbers only as data.
Accountants systematically assign numbers to financial accounts and amalgamate them into P&Ls and balance sheets. Analysts perform statistical tests and regression analysis on numbers attempting to understand the past and predict the future. Leaders determine strategies and set goals based on numbers. Stakeholders have considerable interests in numbers.
However, each number in our business records represents something else. For many businesses, large and small, numbers represent various forms of support given to diverse organizations, communities, and individuals.
Such things include food, clothing, toys, trees, playgrounds, grants, and scholarships. And, tutoring, carpentry, painting, landscaping, sponsorships, and caregiving. And, meals, school supplies, and little league uniforms. Such gifts aid customers and non-customers alike and undoubtedly include those who can never repay the benefactors.
Every number is related to something that may hold an interesting story or perhaps an inspiring one.
Numbers are evidence of philanthropy by companies and their team members—corporate endowments as well as donations by individuals—that help the communities where they live and work. Other numbers confirm assistance a firm gives its employees, such as tuition reimbursement or assistance during hardships.
Business leaders authorize corporate giving, and employees engage in hours of volunteer endeavors. Customers make such gifts possible through their patronage. Metrics represent the various ways that companies give back to those who support them.
Like the metrics displayed in the Starbucks commercial, your numbers derive from data in accounting and business records, but they also hold greater meaning. They represent the sum of the collective efforts of your firm and its employees that produce tangible results that help real people.
Simple gifts that seem small to the givers may be huge to their recipients. The ROI is measured both in numbers and lives affected in positive ways.
Like Starbucks, your numbers have stories to tell and not just the corporate numbers. Numbers that represent the efforts of a department, a team or even a single individual can often tell inspiring stories, too.
People ought to know. Find more ways to share those stories.
[Video Starbucks - A Year of Good, YouTube, May 2017]
Thank you for reading my article!
You can find my content here ↓
? Articles https://bit.ly/GJLarticles → Follow #GJLarticles
? Posts https://bit.ly/GJLcontent → Follow #GJLposts
? Documents https://bit.ly/GJLdocuments
Updated April 2020 ↓
■ Gary J. Lanham is the Senior Content Analyst in the Learning Group at OneMain Financial and an experienced manager, trainer, and speaker. He received his B.S. in Business Administration and M.B.A. from Winthrop University and volunteers there as a mentor in the College of Business Administration.
Follow Gary on LinkedIn or Twitter @GaryJLanham. Follow #GJLposts for a variety of inspiring, motivating, challenging, and enlightening content, and you can always find it here.
Contact him at [email protected], or send a message via LinkedIn or Twitter to start a conversation.