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| Photo by Jay Phagan |
We have an upcoming presentation (TBA)
to SMB (Small Medium Businesses) owners about getting their businesses to better utilize and integrate
the data they have collected with the software programs that they are using. Because
no matter what they have, I guarantee their database program wants to scream “ I have
so much more to offer and I want to help so badly, Use all of me, please!”
While I’m preparing for this
upcoming event, I have jotted down some fragmented notes that I'd like to pass
along to you all.
Most businesses under utilize their data collection and their database software.
What happens when data doesn’t get
analyzed enough, or is done
incorrectly? Most people in SMBs don’t use
their software programs beyond the rudimentary features. It's important to get more
details from your collected data and into your database, then it can give you
more of a complete picture. Not just the basics like accounts receivable,
accounts payable, employee hours and inventory.
You might need to include other
factors such as the upcoming weather, or special events around your business.
Here’s an example: There’s a farm stand near where we live and has the best
produce. It has the same hours, every Sunday, because the farmer believes that
day was the best for that location. But once a year the fire station
next door has their open house on a Saturday and between 300 and 400 people that
attend have to walk by his empty stand to get to the fire station. Be aware environmentally.
Many programs today have the capabilities
to collect more data through cloud applications and integration.
There are software features that can help but you must make the time to learn your system and your data. Time taken now is time well spent later. In 2002, The Standish Group, an IT Research firm in Boston conducted a study that found 80% of computer users access and utilize only 20% of their software program's features.
You don’t need to spend like the big players to get deep analytical results. Many SMBs buy extra unnecessary applications for features that more than likely they unwittingly already have.
Today there are many software programs
vying for the piece of your pie since Big Data is here to stay and businesses
want an edge over their competitors.
Past behavior is not always an
indicator of future behavior unless you want the same outcome to occur every time,
but in business most everyone, I believe, wants some upward growth.
Debbie
Wallis and her husband Robert, are owners of AXbean, a guiding light to
all things Microsoft Access and Excel. They reside in the central
valley area of Sacramento, California between agriculture and government
central. When not working, you can see them running about outside,
exploring shops, chowing down at all kinds of eateries and whenever
possible, being more curious than a cat. Find out more at AXbean.com. Labels: Big Data, businesses, database, SMB, software programs
