Hello everyone,
January is officially in the rearview mirror, but if you’re anything like me, it didn’t feel like a month, it felt like a whole fiscal quarter. For those of us with "boots on the ground" in sustainability, the first 100 days of the year are often the most challenging.
While the rest of the world is easing into new year resolutions, we’re drowning in requests in and out; Management wants the "green" version of financial graphs, stakeholders are chasing us for insights and we are chasing others for numbers and explanations.
I feel you. The pressure to turn raw data into a narrative that satisfies everyone is immense. I love to visualize everything and when I visualize the work we do, I see it falling into three distinct dimensions. You might live in one or bridge all three, but the common denominator is always the same: The Numbers & Spreadsheets.
The 3 Clusters of Our Reality
Strategy: This is where we set the tone. In January, you’re looking for that bird's-eye view, overviewing last year's wins and ensuring the roadmap for the year ahead is rock solid. You’re waiting on the data to prove the business is on the right track.
Practice: You are the "boots on the ground" making the impact real. You translate the high-level strategy into actual projects. But let’s be honest: lately, you haven't been "doing" projects as much as you've been explaining last year’s performance and how it aligns with the 2026 forecast.
Reporting: If this is your world, these first 100 days are your "favorite" (and by that, I mean the most stressful). You are the MVP right now, but that importance comes with the heavy weight of ensuring every decimal point is auditable and accurate.
When we talk about numbers, regardless of where you work or what you do, one tool comes to mind...
Yes, you got it right: Spreadsheets.
Whether you prefer Excel or Google Sheets, you will find them everywhere you go. This fame is well-deserved; spreadsheets are easy to use, popular, require no training, and are quick to share.
Yes, they have some flaws, but changing them isn't an easy job. It’s a culture shift and a massive IT project.
BUT really, using spreadsheets should not mean low productivity or staying away from AI. Actually, it's the exact opposite. AI is very well integrated inside spreadsheets nowadays, and that is a total lifesaver—especially these days for sustainability pros.
Watch: x10 Your Productivity with AI in Spreadsheets
In my latest video, I show you exactly how to Optimize your work by integrating AI directly into your spreadsheets. No massive project implementation required—just practical solutions for the busy practitioner.
What you’ll learn:
Understand Data in Minutes: How to turn messy rows into clear insights.
Automate Engagement: Streamline how you manage data requests and follow-ups.
4 Practical Use Cases: Real-world examples that will Ameliorate your relationship with data.