Numbers that answer the questions you actually ask.
I help leadership teams agree on the few metrics that matter, build dashboards people trust and test prices and changes before betting on them. I trained as an economist, so the focus is always the decision.
Fixed prices. Start with a Metrics Blueprint.
Start with the decision, then work back to the data
Every metric and dashboard starts from a real question and ends in a decision. Here's one made-up example of how that flows.
Example for illustration only.
Agree on the questions
We start with what leadership needs to decide, then pick the few metrics that answer it.
Define and build
Each metric gets one written definition. Then I build dashboards on your data that match it.
Use it and test
Your team learns to read the dashboards, and we test changes like pricing when the stakes are high.
Clear scope, fixed prices
Start with the Metrics Blueprint, or bring a specific question about pricing or a test.
Metrics Blueprint
$2,500
1 to 2 weeks
- Define your key metrics with leadership
- One clear definition for each
- A one-page metrics guide for the whole team
Dashboard Build
$4,500
2 to 3 weeks
- Up to 5 dashboards on your data
- Built on the agreed metric definitions
- Training for your team
Experiment & Pricing Analysis
From $3,000
Scoped to your question
- An A/B test or a pricing analysis
- Designed and read using economics
- A plain-language summary and recommendation
If your data isn't in one place yet, see Data engineering. I'll tell you on the first call whether that needs to come first.
Leaders who need clear answers, not more reports
Lots of companies have plenty of data and still argue about what it says. This work is about turning it into a few numbers everyone agrees on.
Founders and leadership teams
Too many reports, and still no clear view of how the business is doing week to week.
Teams whose numbers disagree
Finance, sales and marketing each have a different revenue figure, and meetings turn into debates.
Anyone about to change a price
You want evidence on what a price change will do before you roll it out to every customer.
Marketing and product leads
You want to test a change properly and know whether it worked, not just hope.
- Usually a business of about 10 to 200 people.
- Data you can already get to, even if it's messy.
- A leader who will use the numbers to decide something.
Hi, I'm John Houghton.
I trained as an economist (B.A. Economics, SDSU), so I care about the decision the data serves, not just the chart.
At Meta (contract) I owned the executive metric layer for Reality Labs. Before that I built an executive metrics platform at Kaiser Permanente and led marketing analytics at Intuit.
- Senior data and AI engineer. Previously Meta (contract), Apple Maps, Kaiser Permanente and Intuit.
- B.A. Economics, San Diego State University.
- Based in San Diego. You work with me directly, from the first call to the handoff.
Common questions
Which dashboard tools do you use?
Whatever fits your team, including common tools like Looker Studio, Tableau, Power BI or Metabase. If you already have one, I'll build in it.
Our data is messy. Is that a problem?
Usually not for the Metrics Blueprint. For dashboards, the data needs to be reachable and reasonably clean. If it isn't, I'll say so and suggest the smallest fix.
Can a small company run real experiments?
Sometimes. A test needs enough customers or visits to give a clear answer. I'll check that before we start. If it's too small, I'll suggest a simpler analysis instead.
How much leadership time does this take?
A kickoff, one or two working sessions to agree on the metrics, and a review at the end.
Who owns the dashboards and definitions?
You do. Everything is built in your accounts, and the metrics guide is yours to keep.
Other ways I can help
Get clear on the numbers that matter
Book a free 15-minute call. Tell me the decision you're facing and the data you have. I'll tell you honestly how I can help.
Prefer email? john@houghtonlabs.com