--- title: "Daily Buzz: Why You Need a Data Advocate" id: "48061" type: "post" slug: "daily-buzz-why-you-need-a-data-advocate" published_at: "2019-09-25T21:13:16+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T15:55:47+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2019/09/25/daily-buzz-why-you-need-a-data-advocate/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2019/09/25/daily-buzz-why-you-need-a-data-advocate.md" excerpt: "Data doesn’t have meaning unless someone can interpret it and tell its story, like a data advocate. Also: Why digital transformations are good for members." taxonomy_category: - "Learning" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Data Analysis" - "Digital Transformation" - "member experience" - "Technology" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Daily Buzz: Why You Need a Data Advocate You have data—but do you have the means to interpret it? “Organizations benefit by having someone who understands the data they’ve collected and can easily share the findings with others,” [says Colleen Dilenschneider on Know Your Own Bone (opens in a new tab)](https://www.colleendilen.com/2019/09/25/the-few-the-proud-the-nerdy-why-every-organization-needs-data-advocates/) . “But equally important is having someone who explains clearly what the data *doesn’t* mean, and what still needs to be measured.” Without a data analyst, Dilenschneider says organizations run the risk of only seeing the trends and insights they want to see, even if the data doesn’t back it up. “People can ‘go blind’ to critical aspects of data—especially when it’s inconvenient or about something they personally care about and may have feelings toward,” she explains. Now, this doesn’t mean your team needs to create a position dedicated to data-keeping. The idea is that at least one team member should serve as a data advocate—someone who keeps insights accurate *and* top of mind. “Being a data advocate, champion, translator, or storyteller—whether you are a CEO, board member, staff member or volunteer—is tough work,” Dilenschneider says. “It’s work at the front of the boat, cutting through the strongest tides as executive leaders aim to turn big ships around to better educate and inspire people in a more intelligent and connected world. It’s rough and it’s challenging, and it’s too often overlooked.” ### Improve the Member Experience by Going Digital https://twitter.com/Kwickr/status/1174201408238866438 **Digital transformations can be,** well, a lot to manage. But they also move associations forward and improve the member experience. “Your members will share many similarities and differences—so much so, that it can be difficult to cater to every need,” [writes the Kwickr team on its blog (opens in a new tab)](https://www.kwickr.com/digital-transformation-to-improve-member-experience/) . “This is where digital transformation really comes into its own, allowing you to customize your processes to suit each individual member’s needs.” Similarly, updated technology also gives members the tools to personalize their own experience, allowing them to interact and find value as they see fit. “We’re moving into an era where advanced technologies and digital solutions are helping to create personalized experiences, boost engagement and generate failsafe strategies that are steeped in solid data and hard facts,” the team says. “All of this is nurturing a new organizational landscape where member experiences are the focal point.” ### Other Links of Note **Considering a learning management system (LMS)?** [One association shares its experience of the software on Association Success (opens in a new tab)](https://www.associationsuccess.org/invigorate/what-1-association-learned-from-launching-its-first-lms/) . **Changing the path** of your organization can be a good thing: [Harvard Business Review identifies (opens in a new tab)](https://hbr.org/2019/09/the-top-20-business-transformations-of-the-last-decade) its top 20 business transformations of the last decade. **The new iPadOS is here.** [TechRadar explains its features and improvements (opens in a new tab)](https://www.techradar.com/news/ipados-release-date-and-news) . (gorodenkoff/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Jeff Hsin](https://associationsnow.com/author/jeff-hsin/) [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/jeff-hsin/) Tags: [#Data Analysis](https://associationsnow.com/tag/data-analysis/) [#Digital Transformation](https://associationsnow.com/tag/digital-transformation/) [#member experience](https://associationsnow.com/tag/member-experience/) [#Technology](https://associationsnow.com/tag/technology/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) - [VideoAmerican College of Emergency Physicians: ACEP Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation ProgramSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/american-college-of-emergency-physicians-acep-geriatric-emergency-department-accreditation-program/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents Practical AI-How Associations Are Putting It To WorkJanuary 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/01/29/associations-now-presents-practical-ai-how-associations-are-putting-it-to-work/) - [PodcastWhy Associations Must Rethink Learning and Community TogetherMarch 26, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/03/26/why-associations-must-rethink-learning-and-community-together/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2019%2F09%2F25%2Fdaily-buzz-why-you-need-a-data-advocate%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !