5 Useful Data Management Tips Startups need to implement

Running a Startup isn't as easy as it might seem. Time, a very scarce resource, seems hardly enough to cover pressing Business Needs so Data Management, yes Data Management is often entirely overlooked.
To solve this below we've listed easy-to-start tips to help create a Data Management culture:

1) Have a Filing System:
All Documentation should be filed. First create a filing system, have broad categories like Customers, Vendors, Projects, Employees, Finances, etc.
Create a Folder for each category and have it labelled appropriately. This should be done for both physical & electronic records.

2) Color-Coding:
It's helpful for each category to have a unique folder colour (this applies only to your physical files). For instance Customers - Green, Employees - Blue and so on. This is a major time saver when filing or retrieving records.

3) Structured Documentation:
When a physical file starts to rip or an electronic folder requires excessive strolling to view all content, it's usually an indication that you need to compartmentalize, i.e. create sub-folders.

Records should be saved in a "folder-structure" with a similar naming convention (see pic below)

Remember that emails form a valuable part of your data records, so adopt this convention for all official emails.
Create Email Groups/ threads i.e.
Inquiries | Memos | Important | Due This Week | Due This Month, etc.
This prevents you from having a clustered inbox.


4) Shred, Shred & Shred:
Get rid of unnecessary documents; as the saying goes "When in doubt throw it out!". Take time every month/year (depending on data volume) to purge records. This not only creates room for new data but helps your records remain relevant.

5) Go Digital:
Go paperless whenever possible. For instance getting an Employee Database saves you from frequently visiting employee physical files. Records can be obtained with button clicks.
Invest in an Electronic Database or try out our Free Database Templates for Startups. Manage these until you have enough funds to upgrade to the Paid versions.

So there you have it, our 5 tips.
Thanks for taking the time to read & we hope you found these tips helpful?
We know it's not easy finding the time to do all of these but just try implementing them & watch your productivity improve.


Source: http://designvat.com/FAQ/Filing-System.html

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