Comments on: Chat Summary: Evaluating Our Own Performance http://www.npcons.net/2010/06/chat-summary-evaluating-our-own-performance/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chat-summary-evaluating-our-own-performance Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:01:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Debra Askanase http://www.npcons.net/2010/06/chat-summary-evaluating-our-own-performance/comment-page-1/#comment-236 Debra Askanase Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:05:58 +0000 http://www.npcons.net/?p=432#comment-236 I participated in this twitter chat and found it to completely inspiring. As I believe @socialchgdiva mentioned during the chat, every single tweet and idea would take time to chew over and consider. It was so full of great contributions. I mentioned during the chat that I use outcomes measurement processes to think about developing social media strategy (my consulting niche). In it, I think about inputs (assets, quantifiable), outputs (quanitfiable numbers) as they lead to outcomes (not quantifiable, but measurable). I participated in this twitter chat and found it to completely inspiring. As I believe @socialchgdiva mentioned during the chat, every single tweet and idea would take time to chew over and consider. It was so full of great contributions.

I mentioned during the chat that I use outcomes measurement processes to think about developing social media strategy (my consulting niche). In it, I think about inputs (assets, quantifiable), outputs (quanitfiable numbers) as they lead to outcomes (not quantifiable, but measurable).

]]> By: Adin Miller http://www.npcons.net/2010/06/chat-summary-evaluating-our-own-performance/comment-page-1/#comment-224 Adin Miller Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:32:09 +0000 http://www.npcons.net/?p=432#comment-224 My thoughts at 36,000 feet; have to love plane wireless. I love how well the questions and responses have been organized. Having missed the chat, this is a tremendous way for me to catch up with the discussion. A few thoughts on the points: 1. Evaluating our own effectiveness also helps us align and fine-tune our business plans (everyone has one, right?!?!) and how well we deliver on our services. Nor should presume that a client was completely satisfied with how the project was managed. The feedback is healthy for both the consultant and the client. 2. I think the deliverables versus results debate is similar to the challenge nonprofits face in defining outcomes and impact (think of your favorite logic model or theory of change). In many cases, impact derives from outcomes; in our world results derive from the deliverables. However, what I didn't see in the discussion was any reflection of time. For example, I recently developed a business plan for a client - I provided the deliverable and closed out the project. The actual results though will be dependent on how well the client can apply the business plan for its fundraising efforts over the next 1 - 2 years. If my contract had extended through the implementation of the business plan, I should have been held accountable for the results. Since that’s not the case, my responsibility largely ends at the deliverable stage. 3. I’m surprised no one mentioned client debriefs as part of the measurement tools. While informal, a debrief can help illuminate effectiveness. A few more generic thoughts: 1. 1.5 half days is a huge investment! There's got to be a better way to streamline a conversation. There were nearly 600 tweets produced for the chat -- imagine if this took place over a two-day conference instead of the usual 1 - 1.5 hours? 2. Notwithstanding what I wrote above, I'd love to see the Transparency chat receive the same treatment. ;-) -Adin My thoughts at 36,000 feet; have to love plane wireless.

I love how well the questions and responses have been organized. Having missed the chat, this is a tremendous way for me to catch up with the discussion.

A few thoughts on the points:
1. Evaluating our own effectiveness also helps us align and fine-tune our business plans (everyone has one, right?!?!) and how well we deliver on our services. Nor should presume that a client was completely satisfied with how the project was managed. The feedback is healthy for both the consultant and the client.

2. I think the deliverables versus results debate is similar to the challenge nonprofits face in defining outcomes and impact (think of your favorite logic model or theory of change). In many cases, impact derives from outcomes; in our world results derive from the deliverables. However, what I didn’t see in the discussion was any reflection of time. For example, I recently developed a business plan for a client – I provided the deliverable and closed out the project. The actual results though will be dependent on how well the client can apply the business plan for its fundraising efforts over the next 1 – 2 years. If my contract had extended through the implementation of the business plan, I should have been held accountable for the results. Since that’s not the case, my responsibility largely ends at the deliverable stage.

3. I’m surprised no one mentioned client debriefs as part of the measurement tools. While informal, a debrief can help illuminate effectiveness.

A few more generic thoughts:
1. 1.5 half days is a huge investment! There’s got to be a better way to streamline a conversation. There were nearly 600 tweets produced for the chat — imagine if this took place over a two-day conference instead of the usual 1 – 1.5 hours?

2. Notwithstanding what I wrote above, I’d love to see the Transparency chat receive the same treatment. ;-)

-Adin

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