The Sterling Contractors Blog

Actionable insights on research, data strategy, and consulting.

Shelves of a well-organized hardware store.

Featured Article

Your Shelves Are Bleeding Cash. Here’s How to Stop It.

We expose the 3 silent killers of profit in every hardware store and give you the fix.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 7/28/2024
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A mine entrance with gold nuggets.

Is Your Inventory a Goldmine or a Graveyard? Use Data to Find Out.

Stop guessing what to order. This guide shows you how to turn your sales data into a money-making machine.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 7/21/2024
Ugandan shillings being counted.

5 Cash Flow Hacks That Can Save Your Business From Failure

These 5 data-backed strategies will immediately improve your cash flow and give you breathing room.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 7/15/2024
A complex data chart on a computer screen.

Your Competitors Fear This "Secret Weapon". It's Called Data.

We break down the "economic models" that market leaders use to make winning decisions. It's simpler than you think.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 7/10/2024
POS System

The #1 Mistake Hardware Stores Make (And How to Avoid It)

Still using a receipt book? You're losing money. Here’s what you MUST know before choosing a POS system.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 7/5/2024
Website on laptop

Your Website Should Be Your #1 Salesperson. Is It Failing?

A great website does more than look good. It generates leads 24/7. Here’s the blueprint for a high-performance site.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 6/28/2024
AI tool

AI Isn't Magic. It's a Money-Making Tool for Your Business.

Stop seeing AI as a gimmick. Here are 3 practical ways AI can boost your profits today.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 6/20/2024
Gavel and laptop showing data

The Ultimate Audit: How Data Forensics Can Expose Corruption

Go beyond traditional audits. Learn how forensic data analysis can uncover patterns of fraud and waste in public institutions that manual reviews miss.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 6/15/2024
A bustling African city street

Building Tomorrow's Cities: Data-Driven Urban Planning in Africa

African cities are booming. Learn how data science can help manage this growth sustainably, from optimizing traffic to allocating public services.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 6/10/2024
A government office building

More Than Just Mandates: How to Build Institutions That Actually Deliver

Many public institutions have a clear mandate but fail to deliver. We explore how data and process optimization can bridge the gap between policy and practice.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 6/5/2024
A diagram showing a randomized controlled trial.

The Gold Standard: A Simple Guide to Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) for NGOs

Donors want proof of impact. Learn how RCTs provide the undeniable evidence you need to secure funding and scale your programs.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 5/28/2024
A diagram comparing two different groups for a study.

No Control Group? No Problem. An Intro to Quasi-Experimental Methods

When a full RCT isn't possible, you can still measure impact rigorously. Learn about the powerful quasi-experimental methods that make it possible.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 5/20/2024
An abstract visualization of data points being matched and filtered.

Finding Your Twin: How Propensity Score Matching (PSM) Works

Isolating your program's true impact is hard. PSM is a powerful technique that helps you create the perfect comparison group from existing data.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 5/12/2024
A scale balancing money and public good

Is It Worth It? A Guide to Cost-Benefit Analysis for Public Projects

How do you decide between funding a new road or a new hospital? Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) provides a framework for making these tough choices.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 5/5/2024
A brain split into a structured part and a neural network part

Econometrics vs. Machine Learning: What's the Difference?

Both use data to find answers, but they ask different questions. Understand when to use which for your business.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 4/28/2024
Two versions of a website, A and B, being compared

Stop Guessing, Start Testing: A Simple Guide to A/B Testing Your Website

Learn how to use simple A/B tests to scientifically improve your website's conversion rates and generate more leads.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 4/20/2024
A rooster crowing at sunrise

The Rooster Crows, The Sun Rises: Why Correlation is NOT Causation

A critical thinking guide for leaders. Learn to distinguish between a coincidence (correlation) and a true cause-and-effect relationship (causation).

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 4/12/2024
A small business owner working on a laptop

You Have Big Data (You Just Don't Know It): A Guide for Small Businesses

"Big Data" isn't just for tech giants. Learn how to use the data you already have to make smarter decisions and compete with larger players.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 4/4/2024
A cargo ship and containers, representing a supply chain

Fix Your Broken Supply Chain: A Data-Driven Approach

From port to project site, learn how data can help you predict delays, optimize costs, and build a more resilient supply chain.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 3/27/2024
Someone writing a survey on a clipboard

Garbage In, Garbage Out: A Guide to Good Data Collection

Your analysis is only as good as your data. A practical guide for NGOs and researchers on designing surveys that yield reliable insights.

By Cedric Mwesigwa · 3/19/2024