Data is only useful if it is both organised and up-to-date. A lot of useful data gets lost or just sits there, of no use to the business.

Example

A list of enquiries from potential customers, as well as details of actual customers, past and present, should provide valuable future business, but only if their details are entered and sorted.

Gladys works in Sierra Leone for a UK based company who sell clothes by mail order, often using E Bay. All the enquiries and customers are entered in a spreadsheet, including name, phone number, email address, when and what was bought or expressed interest in.

The list is then contacted with details of certain products that may be of interest. Gladys searches the list of products and sends details to particular customers who have been interested in that particular type of product before.

This consistent activity converts to real sales for the business. It easily pays for itself and brings a life line of financial security for Gladys and her extended family.