No System is Perfect
While it may sound trite, it bears repeating that no data management system is perfect. I have yet to meet an association executive who thinks their system works perfectly. And yet, very often we'll spend hours trying to find "perfect" software or trying to design the "perfect" data management process. The reality is, if you're hitting 80%, you're probably doing really well. (Click here to read more on that.) For example, almost invariably when I work with a new client, one challenge they'll have is the creation of duplicate records by their members and customers. As it is typically put, "Our members will come online to do something, they can't remember their username or login, and so they create a new record. And then we have to de-dupe it." The reality is, challenges like this will NEVER go away. Members and customers will find a way to create duplicate records, no matter how many "forgot your name/forgot your password" options you offer. Because they're humans! Maybe we can improve this, maybe we can't. But we'll never reach the point where it's perfect, so don't set that expectation, or you'll always be disappointed. |
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
Data is for action
Data is for action When deciding whether or not to collect a piece of data, …
Have you shopped yourself?
Have you shopped yourself? I’ve always been fascinated by the “secret shopper” concept. (Maybe it’s …
To improve adoption, decrease the friction
To improve adoption, decrease the friction “Before you try to increase your willpower, try to …
“Is this normal?”
“Is this normal?” ne of the greatest parts about my job is that I get …
Give your staff more freedom, not less
Give your staff more freedom, not less I often tell my clients, when it comes …
My advice? Stop doing that
My advice? Stop doing that! There is a classic TV sketch featuring Bob Newhart as …
Is a college degree really required?
Is a college degree really required? I saw a job listing last week for an …
Small actions become big wins
Small actions become big wins I’ve written before about how data accretes, the idea that …
Try not to OFFEND your members…
Try not to OFFEND your members… I recently received an email from an association where I’ve …
How will you use that data?
How will you use that data? One of the beauties of technology today is how easy …