Need data? Consider third-party sources

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 my clients to want to collect additional demographic data on their members, or to want to know what the universe of potential members is, or any of a number of other data-related issues pertaining to their members or market. Often the instinct is for staff to try and collect that data themselves. "We'll just put together a quick online survey to find out."

My suggestion is that before you try to do it yourself, see if a third party data service already has that data about your members. There are all kinds of sources for data about individuals and organizations, ranging from government census data to privately collected consumer demographic information. And this data is collected at both an individual and organization level, so both trade and professional associations can benefit.

As usual, the first rule applies: Don't collect data you're not going to use! But if you do have need for data you don't have, consider third party sources as an alternative to collecting the data yourself.

Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives

Acknowledging problems is part of managing expectations

March 15, 2023

Acknowledging problems is part of managing expectations Research was done some time ago that suggested …

Acknowledging problems is part of managing expectations Read More »

Action must follow the decision

March 1, 2023

Action must follow the decision When I work with my clients on their projects (whether …

Action must follow the decision Read More »

Everything should be focused on improving user adoption

February 22, 2023

Everything should be focused on improving user adoption Your AMS is a tool, and a …

Everything should be focused on improving user adoption Read More »

Needs change over time, and that’s OK

February 15, 2023

Needs change over time, and that’s OK I was speaking with a couple of association …

Needs change over time, and that’s OK Read More »

The vaguer the question, the vaguer the answer

February 9, 2023

The vaguer the question, the vaguer the answer As the old saying goes, the devil …

The vaguer the question, the vaguer the answer Read More »

The best choice given the information you have

February 2, 2023

The best choice given the information you have “Hindsight is 20/20” is a cliché because, …

The best choice given the information you have Read More »

Action isn’t the same as progress

January 25, 2023

Action isn’t the same as progress I’ve written before that not taking action is an …

Action isn’t the same as progress Read More »

Start with the end in mind

January 18, 2023

Start with the end in mind Like so many, I probably first heard the phrase …

Start with the end in mind Read More »

It’s quiet in here…maybe TOO quiet…

January 11, 2023

It’s quiet in here…maybe TOO quiet… One of the truisms of data management is that …

It’s quiet in here…maybe TOO quiet… Read More »

It’s ALWAYS about expectations

January 4, 2023

It’s ALWAYS about expectations The headline reads: “Tesla sets record for vehicle deliveries, an increase …

It’s ALWAYS about expectations Read More »

Scroll to Top