The Meat (aka metrics)

You want data as a foundation, but you want the information distilled from the detritus.

More than data, you want metrics.

Coming from the military, you have significant experience in metrics. Training, promotion, and graduation are all predefined by metrics based on results from a previous evolution. These metrics have input from various entities. And although you might not remember these metrics, you would recognize their use. In the military, there is a strategic goal for the unit. As defined by google, strategy is a plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall aim. ‘Winning the hearts and minds’ and ‘shock and awe’ are simple examples of military strategy. The business world has strategy all it’s own.

Your ability to recognize this strategy and take action towards it with your actions and abilities is the contribution the business wants.

The business wants you.

The metrics of a company are changed by those who interact with the customers. Just like in your service, you interacted at the tactical level to achieve the strategic mission. You have already learned this ability and can use it to interact with the customers at the tactical level in order to achieve the business’s strategic goals.

For those who don’t eat meat, please replace with the proper non-meat substitute. The analogy still works ;)

This is a slice from a collection of notes I’ve written in the few shorts years after I transitioned out of the Marine Corps. I went from active duty to being on a small team of software developers and engineers. It’s this experience and education that I would like to pass along to others transitioning. Thanks for clicking the heart to show your support! ~Billy