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
Action isn’t the same as progress
Action isn’t the same as progress I’ve written before that not taking action is an …
Start with the end in mind
Start with the end in mind Like so many, I probably first heard the phrase …
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 …
It’s ALWAYS about expectations
It’s ALWAYS about expectations The headline reads: “Tesla sets record for vehicle deliveries, an increase …
It’s hard to get UNangry
It’s hard to get UNangry I often emphasize to my clients the importance of testing …
Some history IS important!
Some history IS important! When I’m advising clients on data conversion (moving data from one …
“Many mickles make a muckle.”
“Many mickles make a muckle.” “Many mickles make a muckle.” – George Washington Apparently, this …
It’s easy to collect; it’s harder to manage
It’s easy to collect; it’s harder to manage The beauty of today’s highly configurable AMS …
Tell them why you want the data
Tell them why you want the data Because data is so easy to collect these …
Don’t get hung up on something minor
Don’t get hung up on something minor I’m a problem solver. I love to solve …