Data Management

I’ve seen this quote attributed to Aristotle, among others. Not sure who said it, but it rings true when it comes to database management. I’ve long been an advocate of decentralized data entry. (See here and here.) But what’s missing in all of this is that while data entry can be decentralized, overall management of […]

I read in the Wall St. Journal that US airlines have finally begun adopting some CRM (customer relationship management) tools and processes to help identify their best customers in order to provide better services. Hallelujah and welcome to the mid-1990s! That the airlines are only now adopting CRM principles is a testament to just how

If you’re considering the search for a new association management system in the coming months, make sure you don’t miss ASAE’s AMS Demo Days, taking place Thursday and Friday, May 14 and 15, 2009. You can get all the details here. I’ll be appearing on Thursday afternoon on a “consultants panel” to discuss the various

I get this question a lot from my clients, especially “smaller” clients (those under 25 staff). This issue becomes particularly relevant when the association has implemented a new organization-wide association management system for the first time. As a very general rule of thumb, I think once an organization has reached 25 staff, it’s time to

I’m not a big fan of the phrase “paradigm shift,” but I recently experienced one first hand that I found rather interesting. I was speaking for the Association Forum of Chicagoland at their office downtown. To get to the Forum offices, like most office buildings, you have to ride the elevator. But in the Forum’s

This information is two years old, but I suspect it hasn’t changed much. “The average middle manager spends about two hours a day looking for data, according to a study by Accenture of 1,009 managers at U.S. and U.K. companies with annual revenue of more than $500 million….Once they obtain the hard-sought information, half of

In this survey, Campbell Rinker asked a series of questions of non-profits about their primary donor/member management software. On page 3, the following question is asked: “If an organization just like yours was thinking about adopting the product [you use] and they asked for your advice, would you recommend they adopt it?” The results were

In this article on destinationcrm.com, Guy Kawasaki says: “I think it’s inherently arrogant if you think that you are worth following, but the person following you is not worth you following,” he said. “I don’t want to send the message that 91,000 follow me, but I only follow 50. That’s a message that only 50

When working with my clients on data conversions, I always point out that they should convert as little data as possible, since that is easier and typically less expensive. I also tell my clients to never collect any data they’re not going to use. These days it’s too easy (and cheap) to ask for and

I found this very interesting. A recent report released by Target Analytics suggests that those that make online donations (as opposed to mail or phone) are likely to give larger gifts, but are also likely to not retain as well as other donors. As the report states: “Many donors cease giving online after their initial