13. Insight Inc.
In the last email (Subject: Guidance Inc.), I shared how Notion had given us the ability to embed guidance and resources into tasks.
Mind. Blown.
But this was just the tip of the iceberg. As I mentioned in previous emails, data in Notion is stored in user-created databases. And we can create as many of these databases as we like.
Not only that, but databases can be connected. This means you can be looking at one database, and it can pull in data from another. And vica-versa (apparently the proper term is ‘relational databases’).
But it wasn’t until I explored this functionality more deeply that I realised the implications. Because not only could we guide people on doing the right things and then show them how to do them - but we could also surface insights from others.
So, in the example we’ve been discussing, workflows could draw upon other databases to surface:
Examples of previous good outputs
Common mistakes from past attempts
SME tips linked to this task type
Relevant policies or reference materials
Let’s imagine how this might work using my video workflow:
Brainstorm video ideas
Research high ranking titles
Write script
Design storyboard
Setup camera and lighting
Record video
Edit video
Write description
Publish to YouTube
Share on socials
Now, let’s imagine a couple of my colleagues also make videos. And because they’re using the same workflow template, they also work through the same steps. After each step, the workflow might ask: “What did you learn that would help someone do this better next time?”.
So, after writing the script, my colleague might add: “The only requirement for the first ten seconds of the video is to get the viewer to watch the next ten seconds.” Another might add: “Always start with a problem the viewer cares about.”
Now, those insights could be saved into a connected database and tagged to the relevant step - in this case, “write script”.
So, when I reach that same step in my workflow, those insights automatically appear. No messaging Dave to ask him how he does it. No asking ChatGPT for advice. No hunting around on the shared drive for that cheat sheet you downloaded last year.
The insights appear inside my workflow at the exact moment I need them.
Oh. My. Dog.
For the second time in as many emails, the implications floored me.
Just think of all the retros in which we’ve uncovered valuable learnings. All that experience and wisdom living in people’s heads.
What happens to all this?
We might remember some. But if we’re honest, most is lost…
But this system leverages it.
And that’s when I realised this wasn’t just about productivity anymore - this was something that could transform employee performance.
More soon,
Ant
