Organizing Your Member Data

As customers recover control over their data, how can businesses ensure that data is maintained safely and collected responsibly? In 2019, most businesses would agree that they have access to large volumes of data about their customers. Companies collect and store massive amounts of data every day, from cookies on websites to tracking customer locations. Recent European legislation (GDPR) and those set to take effect in California signal the start of a journey for consumers to recover control over their data. However, there is still work to be done within enterprises to ensure that members' data is maintained safely and collected properly.Like any other business, a membership organization cannot succeed without high levels of membership (customer) participation and satisfaction. However, you can't expect members to enthusiastically get on board when the organization's services are expanded with additional programs or goods to boost customer satisfaction and market share.

 

Instead, you should research to determine the pulse of your membership base. You'll be able to use the information to create strategies and activities that preserve or grow client loyalty, improve member experiences, and bring in new customers.

How do you define data quality?

The examination of members' data against its purpose and capacity to accomplish it is known as data quality. To put it another way, data quality is determined by the context and the demands of the data consumer. It requires effective Data Quality Management to be optimized. "A set of roles and duties, organizational setup, processes, procedures, and policies used to define, measure, control, maintain and enhance data quality," according to the definition. It aids in determining whether your data is suitable for use.

Five strategies for businesses to become data-savvy

1. Be respectful of the person behind the data.

Organizations should remember that personal data represents real people when collecting it. Decision-makers should think about how they would want their own members' data to be handled by a corporation and apply those ideas to the company's processing operations.

It's all too easy for businesses to forget that personal information belongs to the person who provided it, not the corporation that obtained it. As an organization, you are responsible for ensuring that the personal data you collect is protected from unauthorized access or disclosure without data subjects' explicit and informed consent. Unauthorized data use might have disastrous consequences for the data subject if made public or misused by someone with bad intentions.

2. Invest in the Right Data Management Resources (Even if They're From Outside)

Personal data processing can unleash an organization's potential, but it should be treated as a valuable asset that must be protected whenever it is used. It's critical to invest in both human and technical resources that will help you to manage your dataflows effectively. It entails investing in cybersecurity and educating your operational employees.

 

When processing personal data, organizations should carefully curate the tools and processes they use, choosing systems that ensure privacy by design and default are incorporated into processing activities. The tools should assist in keeping promises made to data subjects (as well as legal obligations).

Another option to process data effectively and safely is to hire independent data protection and privacy experts. Both SMEs and large multinationals should ensure that their decisions about personal data are in line with the rapidly evolving practice and that they receive an outside perspective that isn't motivated by profit. Personal data processing can unleash an organization's potential, but it should be treated as a valuable asset that must be protected whenever it is used.

3. Be Open and Honest

Organizations must be honest with the people they collect data from about the data they gather and what they plan to do with it (including with whom it will be shared, in what form, and under what terms). Everyone, regardless of age or technical ability, should be aware of the company's aims.

It must cover both current and future data usage plans. Data participants dislike being surprised by a change in the aim made without their awareness. Organizations should consider how they will utilize personal data now and how they will use it in the future. These plans should be presented to persons who supply data to an organization to develop confidence.

4. Profit from your company's data management plan.

You can uncover practical methods to operate your company better if you access relevant data and employ modern members' data analytics approaches. You can develop and measure Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess how effective your efforts are, whether you want to sell more, minimize risk, improve customer service, or maximize resource use.

KPIs can be generated for specific projects or marketing initiatives and certain areas or divisions within the firm. KPIs provide an objective approach to evaluate the performance of vendors and external partners and a foundation for rewarding internal staff. KPIs can be thought of as road signals on the way to success. Their regular monitoring assists you in making the best decisions, focusing on results-oriented investments, and steering your company in the right way.

Companies are gathering an increasing amount of members' data analytics, yet raw data does not generate much economic value on its own. Your company's capacity to turn data into information – and insights – will set you apart from the competition in today's digital world. To ensure your organization thrives for years to come, you'll need an effective data management plan, a skilled team, suitable safeguards, and meaningful measurements.

5. Understand the Data Flows

Organizations are responsible for the data they collect and use. It is not a valid reason to evade responsibility for data breaches if they do not know the data source or the conditions under which they can access it. As a result, businesses should be aware of all data entering and leaving the organization across all departments.

Many businesses only need to make minor adjustments to become data-savvy. Companies can't afford to secure consumer data when consumers trust them to manage their information responsibly.

Conclusion

If you want to expand your firm and members' data analytics, be sure you're prepared to handle the inevitable expansion. To do so, you must first ensure that your funds are in order. Make a habit of keeping track of your receipts and transactions. Make sure you're prepared for any taxes that must be paid during the year. If you keep your finances in order, you should keep your working space in order as well. Organize your storage area using some tried and true ways for increasing efficiency.

Consider going paperless, even if it isn't the best option for everyone. All of your documents should be stored in the cloud, and any papers cluttering your workspace should be shredded. Your time is one of your most valuable assets as a small business owner, so keep it organized with time tracking and scheduling. Improve your email process, manage your reading list, and keep your notes, passwords, and desktop organized to reduce your tasks. Finally, automate your marketing efforts and create a system for customer service and assistance.