Markets for Good recently published this piece I wrote in which I assert that collecting and responding to consumer feedback and market demand in low-income communities is critical to spurring economic and social mobility.

What if the same technology that helps power my movie recommendations could help us better allocate resources for public education? Or highlight areas vulnerable to natural disaster? Or even just help our organizations find the right funders?

Despite all the blog posts, books, and questionable models to the contrary, we are a long ways away from being able to predict with any relevance the future of the social sector.

Professionally I do two things; I help organizations make high impact data-oriented decisions, and I write. As 2011 draws to a close, I reflect on ano...