Don’t be a hoarder!

Don't be a hoarder!

The simple truth is that it's almost "free" to collect data. Or at least that's how it seems.

Set up a field in the database, send out an email and ask for the data, and voila, you're collecting new data.

The problem is that, in many (most?) cases, the data that we start out to collect doesn't get maintained over time, even with the best of intentions. And so, over time, we become data hoarders, keeping data that we really don't need.

I would guess that almost every one of my clients (now several hundred over 25 years) has one or more data points in their AMS that are no longer being used, or if they are being used, haven't been updated in many years. I'd bet the same is true for your organization.

When is the last time you looked at your database and cleaned out what you're no longer using? Is it time to do it again?

Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives

Showing is not teaching

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Showing is not teaching In my experience, when new staff members are taught how to […]

Data management is improvisation

September 16, 2026

Data management is improvisation I was listening to a podcast recently featuring TV writer Rob […]

Who own the AMS company is like the weather…

September 9, 2026

Who own the AMS company is like the weather… When I work with clients to […]

“As good or better than me.”

September 2, 2026

“As good or better than me.” I was recently speaking with a software developer working […]

Documentation is insurance

August 26, 2026

Documentation is insurance In a conversation with a client about their data management needs, the client […]

It all comes down to fundamentals

August 12, 2026

It all comes down to fundamentals I’m preparing for a webinar that I’m presenting in […]

Blog post themes over 20 years…

August 5, 2026

Blog post themes over 20 years… I’ve been writing blog posts for nearly 20 years […]

Lots of feedback is a GOOD thing!

July 29, 2026

Lots of feedback is a GOOD thing! A client in the middle of their AMS […]

Doing the reps…

July 22, 2026

Doing the reps… I’m helping a client with the implementation of a new AMS. During […]

Add one, remove one

July 15, 2026

Add one, remove one In the world of home-organizing, there’s the “one in, one out” […]

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