Wes’s Wednesday Wisdom

Ratio of Data to Errors One of the elements of a good data governance plan is establishing data quality metrics. Put another way, what are your measurements for how good your data really is? One of the simplest but perhaps most powerful metrics is the ratio of data to errors (or what percentage of your data […]

Back to basics Over the past couple of years I’ve noticed that some AMS vendors are adding in more sophisticated automated duplicate record checkers into their systems. These are not just “is this email already in the database” but much more. For example, one vendor has a tool that not only identifies potential duplicate records but

Your people matter I’ve written many times about how people, process, and technology have to work together in order to have the greatest success with your data management. I was reminded of this again recently when discussing an issue with a client. The client wants to (wisely) collect information when members and customers contact them

We remember moments… “We do not remember days, we remember moments.” – Cesare Pavese Another way of looking at this is that it’s the small things people remember, not the big ones. For example: Your members and customers won’t remember the roll out of your new AMS, but they will remember that their contact information

Acknowledging problems is part of managing expectations Research was done some time ago that suggested that the best way for doctors and hospitals to avoid costly litigation for malpractice was simply to apologize. The vast majority of people who sued their doctor or hospital just wanted someone to admit that mistakes were made! I find

Need data? Consider third-party sources I always tell my clients, only collect data that you’re actually going to use. A corollary to that rule might be “If you’re really going to use the data, you don’t have to collect all the data yourself; consider third party sources for data you need.” It’s not unusual for

Action must follow the decision When I work with my clients on their projects (whether system selection, system implementation, or other data management projects), I emphasize to them how important decision-making is. We can’t move if we don’t make choices, and if we don’t move, we can’t make progress/improve things. But the key to any

Everything should be focused on improving user adoption Your AMS is a tool, and a tool is only as good as the person using it. And if the tool isn’t being used at all, then the tool is useless, by definition. This is why everything you do related to the AMS has to answer this

Needs change over time, and that’s OK I was speaking with a couple of association executives recently about their desire to find a new association management system to replace their current AMS. The incumbent system had been in place for more than a decade. During the course of the conversation, it struck me that the

The vaguer the question, the vaguer the answer As the old saying goes, the devil is in the details. Which is why I encourage my clients to be as specific as possible when asking questions. This is especially useful during the AMS sales process. For example, if you ask an AMS salesperson, “Can your product