New Soil Analytics plants the seeds of change.
We support civil society, social movement, labour, environmental, and political organizations.
Our sweet spot is where critical and systems analysis meets campaigning.
Our Services
Data Analytics
New Soil undertakes deep and creative analysis of all types of data using modern data science tools. This work complements the types of expertise that often abound in progressive organizations. We find or build new datasets, refine existing datasets, stitch them together, and extract original and actionable insights.
Research
New Soil delivers bespoke research that answers our clients’ questions, guides their decision making, and provides persuasive arguments for public use. We focus on corporate and policy research that examines the strategic and financial issues at play across an industry or at an individual company. We can provide overall guidance on an inquiry and roll up our sleeves to do the deep digging.
Strategy
New Soil helps clients figure out how to win. Good plans combine objective analysis with a creative spark, and we work on both ends of that spectrum. When we deliver our work, it’s packaged with interpretation, narrative, and ideas for how to maximize its real-world impact. Alongside that, we can also serve as a brainstorming partner or even convene a full-fledged planning process.
Why “New Soil”?
Some in the business world say that “data is the new oil”. That statement lays bare the mindset that information is just another resource that can be exploited for profit. We seek to harness the same resources for different ends. We believe that data is like soil: it’s the ground upon which strong strategies are built.
Who Are We?
And what makes us different?
New Soil Analytics is the solo consulting practice of John Burant, supplemented by outside expertise and assistance as needed. John brings a unique combination of skills and experience to this work.
First, John earned a Ph.D. in theoretical chemistry before focusing on justice and advocacy work. The heritage of analytical rigor and quantitative orientation is central to our approach. We think about the world in numbers and quantify everything we can. Our data skills allow us to access and analyze sources, and to reach conclusions, that may be out of reach for others.
Second, John has spent twenty-five years working with diverse groups–civil society, labour, environmental, and political–across the United States and Europe. This experience helps us triage quickly in new situations. We identify what’s already familiar and ask penetrating questions about what’s not, so we can get to work on the relevant issues.
Third, John has held multiple leadership posts, worked closely with organizational leaders throughout his career, and held end-of-line responsibility for the success or failure of multiple campaigns. We appreciate the pressure leadership entails, are sensitive to fault lines within organizations, and work with nuance and discretion.