Signal-to-noise ratio
Signal-to-noise ratio, formally used, applies to electricity and engineering, and refers to how much of a desired signal is being received, versus how much background noise is coming through.
The same thing applies to your database. The signal is your good data; the noise is your bad data. I've argued for years that the higher your signal-to-noise ratio in your database, the more likely you are to enter the cycle of doom, where staff will no longer trust the data, and stop using it. Bad data, including outdated contacts, is noise.
In order to improve your signal-to-noise ratio, you need to continually monitor and clean your data. Here are some ways you might do that.
![]()
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
The “People” are important!
The “People” are important! I’ve written a lot about people, process, and technology over the […]
Always look for the MVP
Always look for the MVP I first wrote about minimum viable product (MVP) just three […]
The longer you take, the longer it will take
The longer you take, the longer it will take It may sound like a tautology, […]
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 […]
