How do you know if you’re making the best decision possible or acting on the most complete data? Short answer: you don’t. We all act on the best information we have and adapt as new information comes along. That being said, there are some approaches to gathering information that can ensure you are receiving a more comprehensive look. At Orange Sparkle Ball, we recognize the importance of ensuring the use of cross-sectoral information whenever possible to spark new ideas and illuminate alternate viewpoints.

The Information Silo

One pitfall that many people, professionals and laymen alike, fall into is the information silo1,2. This occurs when someone primarily interacts only with data and information produced by people like them. Biologists only read biology journals, public health practitioners only collaborate with others in public health, tech entrepreneurs only keep up with what’s happening in their sector, and so on. While there are always exceptions that prove the rule, information silos are extremely common. It’s certainly easier and more immediately relevant to collaborate with those who do similar work to you. But in limiting yourself, what new ideas and opportunities are being missed?

Studies have shown that cross-sector collaboration consistently sparks innovation3,4. New ideas and inspirations are born when people with different backgrounds and approaches tackle a problem together. This same principle holds true for organizations, often visible in cross-sector coalitions, or on the individual level, in the type of information that you access to inform your work and make decisions. Gathering data from different fields can be time-consuming, frustrating, and may often not feel worth it, but it is not nearly as difficult now as it once was. In this digital age, a plethora of databases provide compiled, searchable information neatly organized with tags across nearly every sector.

How We Do It

At Orange Sparkle Ball, sometimes we get to use data we have collected or produced ourselves, but other times, we have the opportunity to appreciate the hard work that others have gone through. One way we use cross-sectional data is to look at trends in mobility technology to see where we are and where we want to be 10 years from now. We start by looking at standard financial and entrepreneurial data, but we also look at legislation, academic publishing and research, government initiatives, and nonprofit funding. All these elements come together to give a much closer look at where the mobility sector is headed.For instance, when building a community initiative for early childhood development, you could start with nonprofits and health agencies in that area. However, including influential community stakeholders and providers of related services, like housing, creates a stronger, more comprehensive solution.

Photo by Centre for Ageing Better on Unsplash

Conclusion

Finally, cross-sector information isn’t just useful for large projects. Simple collaboration with people within your network who have a different background can be enough. Taking the time to have a single conversation over coffee could be the difference between hitting an idea wall or recycling an old technique that you know doesn’t work and a brand new approach. Defeating the information silo doesn’t have to be hard, but it does require intention. When was the last time you spoke to someone from a different field about a problem you’ve been having? How about the last time you sought out data from a completely different type of work? We all do our best with the information we have, but if you want to do your best work, make sure that information is as helpful as it can be.