[okfn-za] [HacksHackers Jo'burg] Re: The marketing case for open government data

Tue May 28 07:16:49 UTC 2013

Hi Nimi

See attached/below: The graph shows the increase in visits to the open data
page of a South African-based NGO's website (from mid-Feb to end-May). The
actual number of visits may not seem all that impressive and the growth is
off a zero base, but (i) more people are visiting the page over time; (ii)
this is fairly niched open data so the audience is not that large to start
off with; (iii) it is possible that the addition of open data is attracting
new visitors and more repeat visits (this will only become clearer over
time). So, this is not a study but just a small example. Hope you find it
useful in some way and that you bring them around!

Best wishes

Francois

Analytics www.chet.org open data.jpg

From: okfn-za-bounces at lists.okfn.org [mailto:okfn-za-bounces at lists.okfn.org]
On Behalf Of Nimi Hoffmann
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 8:21 AM
To: hackshackers-johannesburg at googlegroups.com
Cc: okfn-za at lists.okfn.org
Subject: Re: [okfn-za] [HacksHackers Jo'burg] Re: The marketing case for
open government data

Rufus, Francois and Theresa

That's great, thank you. 

>From what I've seen so far, I think that the organisation collects and
curates its data quite well. Some of this data is already in the public
domain, but its hidden so well that you'd have to know what you were looking
for in order to find it. The organisation also does not have its own website
up and running yet. It's only visible through its parent organisation.
They're currently putting together a website, so the challenge is to get
them to incorporate openness into the design. 

Transparency, participation and collaborative innovation are excellent
guiding principles for open data. But I think I will also need to make a
straightfoward marketing case to them; i.e. open data will increase traffic
on the website. 

Would any of you be able to point me to a study that demonstrates that open
data increases an organisation's visibility (i.e. website traffic)?

Cheers,
Nimi

On 23 May 2013 20:45, Theresa Mallinson <theresa.mallinson at gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Nimi

Well, there's http://africaopendata.org - which is currently being revamped.
Otherwise, I'd suggest writing a sexy press release & getting it out on sapa
& allafrica.com?

Cheers
Tea

On 23 May 2013 11:18, Nimi Hoffmann <Nimi.Hoffmann at gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks Michelle. I particularly liked the link in theodi to this
presentation on the business model for open data:

http://www.slideshare.net/hverwayen/business-model-innovation-open-data

The problem is that this business case is for a cultural product. But my
organisation is not involved in cultural projects. So there are no platforms
like Flikr on which to share its data. 

Suppose you have an organisation that was going to share unsexy data - i.e.
data that doesn't have a strong internet presence/institutional framework.
Are there any sites that would celebrate this and help spread the message?

Cheers,
Nimi

On 23 May 2013 09:57, Michelle Willmers <michelle.willmers at uct.ac.za> wrote:

Hello Nimi

Wonderful to hear about the work you are doing. The following links might be
of use .

How to make a business case for open data:

http://theodi.org/guide/how-make-business-case-open-data

Answers to common misconceptions around sharing data

http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2013/05/06/answers-to-common-m
isconceptions-about-data-sharing/?utm_source=hootsuite
<http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2013/05/06/answers-to-common-
misconceptions-about-data-sharing/?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=owly&utm_
campaign=twitter> &utm_medium=owly&utm_campaign=twitter

Tim Davies Positon paper W3C: Using Open Data Workshop (June 2012)

http://www.w3.org/2012/06/pmod/pmod2012_submission_5.pdf

All the best.

Michelle

-- 

Michelle Willmers

Programme Manager

Scholarly Communication in Africa Programme

University of Cape Town

South Africa

Tel:+27(21) 650 5061 <tel:%2B27%2821%29%20650%205061> 

Cell: 082 229 4262 <tel:082%20229%204262> 

 <http://www.scaprogramme.org.za/> http://www.scaprogramme.org.za/

Follow us on Twitter: SCAprogramme

From: Nimi Hoffmann <Nimi.Hoffmann at gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 08:59:38 +0200
To: "okfn-za at lists.okfn.org" <okfn-za at lists.okfn.org>,
<hackshackers-johannesburg at googlegroups.com>
Subject: [okfn-za] The marketing case for open government data

Hi all

I'm currently doing a short work stint with a government entity, and there's
the possibility that we could encourage them to make their data (more) open.

To this end, I want to make a strong marketing case to them. Any thoughts on
how to do so?

I've got the following in mind:

1. Open data allows them to create performance indicators along a variety of
dimensions (financial, social, environmental etc.). This allows them to
benchmark themselves against their own performance and that of other
organisations.  
2. This is a  a strong differentiator - not many organisations provide open
data

3. It will improve public engagement and communication, and demonstrate a
tangible commitment to improve their performance.This will enhance their
brand

4. It will improve their self-knowledge as an organisation (i.e. employees
can track what is going on in other divisions). 

Are there any organisations that recognise and celebrate open data
initiatives? Is there some way that they could get a media spin on the
thing, or get recognition from some kind of external agency or institution? 

Cheers,
Nimi

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