It’s quiet in here…maybe TOO quiet…

It's quiet in here...maybe TOO quiet...

One of the truisms of data management is that there is no stasis; either your data is getting better or it's getting worse. (More about that here.)

A corollary to that is that if things are "too quiet" there's probably something wrong. Put another way, if you're not working on something to improve your data management, things are probably headed (or soon to be headed) in the wrong direction.

For example, during a new system implementation, I tell my clients that one sign that you've chosen a good system is that staff is coming up with all kinds of ways to use it more. This is a good thing. Your AMS is a tool and it should be used where it can add value.

And that's what I mean about things being "too quiet." Data management is a journey, not a destination. There is always room for improvement. And if you're not working on something to improve how you manage your data ("Everything's working fine just the way it is") then chances are good you're going to fall behind soon (if you're not already behind!).

Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives

Look for small wins

June 19, 2019

Look for small wins One of the toughest things about system implementation is simply how […]

Are you closing the loop?

June 12, 2019

Are you closing the loop? If your association does a call for presentations for any […]

Declare victory and move on

June 5, 2019

Declare victory and move on The law of diminishing returns is the point at which the […]

Clean as you go

March 28, 2019

Clean As You Go A good cook or baker knows that, when working in the […]

Baby Steps

March 21, 2019

One of the keys to developing good data management habits is to be aware of […]

Success Requires Discipline

March 14, 2019

When it comes to data management, most of us know what to do; we just don’t […]

Take a moment to be grateful

March 7, 2019

Because we’re so focused on always improving what we have now, it’s easy to overlook […]

KPIs and Dashboards

February 28, 2019

I saw DJ Muller from MemberClicks speak on KPIs (key performance indicators). In his session […]

Documenting Process is Critical

February 22, 2019

When it comes to managing data successfully, process is critical. For example, a client of […]

Motion vs. Action

February 14, 2019

In James Clear’s book Atomic Habits (I recommend it!), he discusses the concept of motion vs. action. […]

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