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WHITEPAPER

B2B Data Management; An Unending Process

By: John M. Coe


President, The Sales and Marketing Institute

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B2B Data Management; An Unending Process

OVERVIEW
B2B database marketing experts have agreed that as much as 50-70% of the results from a
direct marketing campaign are dependent on the targeting process, selection of the list and
the accuracy of the data and/or list chosen for the campaign. Therefore, the importance of
good data management is more important than most B2B marketers believe. Quality data just
doesn’t happen, but rather comes from the unending process of updating and verifying the
data on prospects and customers.

So why is this somewhat boring and detailed process important to you? Have you been faced
with some or all of the following questions?
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people to gather the needed data?
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t 8FDBMMFEUIFDPNQBOJFTJOUIFMFBEMJTUBOEGPVOEUIBUUIFDPOUBDUTXFSFFJUIFSOPU
UIFSFPSDPVMEOUSFNFNCFSCFJOHJOUFSFTUFEJOPVSQSPEVDUoXIZ
t *IBWFBGSJFOEXIPIBTBHPPEMJTUPGDPNQBOJFToTIPVMEXFCVZJU
t 8IZJTUIFiIJUSBUFwPOPVSMJTUTPMPXXIFOXFTFOUJUUPBOPVUTJEFEBUBDPNQJMFSGPS
enhancement?
t 8IZEPOUXFTFOEBMMUIFJORVJSJFTUPUIFUFMFNBSLFUJOHHSPVQGPSDBMMJOH
t 8IZEPOUUIFTBMFTQFPQMFUFMMVTXIBUIBQQFOFEUPUIFMFBET
t 8IZBSFUIFMFBETGSPNNBSLFUJOHTPCBE

These and other vexing questions all revolve around the marketing database and its quality and
usability. As B2B marketers continually move from mass to targeted marketing communication
strategies and tactics, the sales lead database becomes the critical resource to achieve both
UIFNBSLFUJOHBOETBMFTPCKFDUJWFT*OGBDU TFWFSBMTUVEJFTIBWFJOEJDBUFEUIBUCFUXFFO
of all B2B marketing budgets are spent with the primary purpose of generating and qualifying
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reach a limited result, and one that is far from optimal.

This white paper will explore, in some depth, B2B data management principals that when
QSPQFSMZFYFDVUFEXJMMMFBEUPUIFEFTJSFESFTVMUoHFOFSBUJOHNPSFSFWFOVFBUMPXFSDPTU

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This is a tall order to be sure, but one well worth the devotion of the time and money
considering today’s demanding environment for better leads and results.

%BUB%FDBZ*UT)JHIFS5IBO:PV5IJOL0OFPGUIFNPTUWFYJOHQSPCMFNTJO##EBUBNBOBHFNFOU
JTUIFEFDBZSBUFPGUIFDPOUBDUJOEJWJEVBMMFWFMEBUB8IFOBCVTJOFTTQFSTPODIBOHFTMPDBUJPOT
within their company or leaves the current position for another company, they do not inform the
post office. This might be acceptable if the change rate was not high, but unfortunately it is.

*OBSFDFOUTUVEZEPOFCZ4.* JUXBTEPDVNFOUFEUIBUPWFSBPOFZFBSQFSJPEPG
business people have one or more changes in their business card information. These results
XFSFDPSSPCPSBUFECZ)BSUF)BOLT.BSLFUJOH*OUFMMJHFODF BTUIFZSFDFOUMZSFQPSUFEBTJNJMBS
POFZFBSEFDBZSBUFJOCVTJOFTTEBUB8IFUIFSJUJTPS JUTIJHI4JODFDPNQBOJFT
don’t buy anything - only the people within the company buy - it is crucial to get the contact
MFWFMEBUBBDDVSBUF

0OFNJHIUUIJOLUIBUUIJTXPVMECFBKPCGPSUIFQPTUPöDF5IFTVSQSJTJOHGBDUJTUIBUXIJMF
they are painfully aware of the problem, the postal service is prevented from establishing a
OBUJPOBMCVTJOFTTDIBOHFPGBEESFTTQSPDFTT BTJUJTOPUJOUIFJSDIBSUFSGSPN$POHSFTT*OUIFTF
UJNFTPGCVEHFUTIPSUGBMMTJOUIF641PTU0öDF JUJTWFSZVOMJLFMZUIFZFWFOXBOUUIFKPCOPX
Needless to say, the data accuracy and updating process falls to the B2B database marketing
community, and more specifically you.

WHY THE VALUE OF B2B DATA IS SO HIGH


5IFWBMVFPG##EBUBMJFTJOUIFPQQPSUVOJUZUPTFMMUIFQSPEVDUPSTFSWJDFCFJOHPõFSFE*O##
this opportunity might amount to thousands if not millions of dollars. This can be particularly
DPTUMZJOMFBEHFOFSBUJPOBDUJWJUJFT*GBMBSHFDPNQBOZ XIJDINJHIUXFMMCVZUIFQSPEVDUTFSWJDF
being sold, is not contacted due to poor data accuracy, the potential sale will be lost. These lost
sales might make the difference of success or failure in a marketing campaign if not the annual
revenue objectives of the company.

Therefore, it is a wise marketing manager who invests in the quality, accuracy and completeness
PGUIFEBUBDPOUBJOFEJOUIFEBUBCBTF8IJMFUIJTJTMPHJDBM BMMUPPGSFRVFOUMZUIFBNPVOUPGUJNF
and money spent on the data is not enough to insure its quality and accuracy.

B2B LIST AND DATA SOURCES – SOME OLD AND SOME NEW
There are a wide variety of B2B list and data sources, and understanding each will greatly assist
in data management. The following is a review of B2B data sources coupled with the potential
advantages and weaknesses inherit in each.

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COMPILED LISTS
$PNQJMFEMJTUTBSFUZQJDBMMZUIPTFGSPNMBSHFEBUBDPNQBOJFTTVDIBT%# BOE*OGP64"5IFZ
are compiled from a variety of data sources including online research, corporate filings, etc.

Strength: Broad overall coverage of companies with associated demographic information such
BT%6/4OVNCFS %#POMZ
HSBOVMBS4*$/"*$4DPEFT SFWFOVF OVNCFSPGFNQMPZFFT FUD
These lists are also relatively consistent in format and structure which allows each to be compared
to the other. Depending on the compiler and the definition of a business location (e.g. home
office), between 12-20 million+ companies are contained on these databases.

Weakness: The data can be inaccurate, since the data may have last been updated one or
NPSFZFBSTBHP*OBEEJUJPOTPNFPGUIFEBUBJTNPEFMFEBOEOPUBDUVBM"MTP UIFEFQUIPG
OBNFTJTUIJO BTVTVBMMZPOMZUIFTFOJPSMFWFMNBOBHFNFOUJTMJTUFEJGBOZPOFBUBMMJTMJTUFE*UJT
important to know when and how the last update was done to provide a degree of confidence
JOUIFBDDVSBDZ*UJTOPUVOVTVBMUPTFFBPSNPSFFSSPSSBUFJODPNQJMFEEBUB*UJTXJTF
to run a check by phone before believing the stated accuracy.

RESPONSE LISTS
These lists contain name and company address information gathered when someone responds
to a marketing communication or purchases a product/service. The most common B2B
example would be subscriptions to trade magazines even though many of them has ceased
publication in the last several years.

Strength: A response by an individual is much better in accuracy than compiled lists, as it is


provided directly by an individual.

Weakness: The depth of associated company information is usually thin as the responder does
not or will not provide much additional information. Some response list firms have now taken the
MPHJDBMTUFQUPFOIBODFUIFTFMJTUTXJUIEFNPHSBQIJDEBUBGSPNUIFDPNQJMFEMJTUT8IJMFUIJTJT
helpful, the same errors contained on the compiled lists are carried over to the response lists.

RESPONSES TO DIRECT MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS


Targeted direct marketing communications are a staple of lead generation and when the
communication (most frequently mail, email, telephone and advertising) evoke a response, this
response should be acted upon quickly to capture the interest of the responder, and further
qualify the sales opportunity.

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Strengths:0CWJPVTMZ BSFTQPOTFUPB%.DBNQBJHOTIPVMECFCPUIBDDVSBUFBOEWBMVBCMF5IF
person responding has indicated some level of interest in the product/service and has most fre-
quently accepted an offer and therefore will provide accurate information to receive the offer.

Weakness: At the time of response, the data on the individual, company and other associated
response information should be accurate. But, like all B2B data, it decays and frequently is not
VQEBUFEPODFSFDPSEFEJOUIFMFBEEBUBCBTF*OBEEJUJPO UIFNFEJBVTFEUPSFTQPOEDBOFG-
fect the accuracy as responders might not want to fill out all the information requested or put
down inaccurate information on purpose to avoid subsequent contact. This is a problem with
web responses, as it is common to not accurately respond with the information requested to
obtain the offer. Somewhat surprisingly, mail and telephone responses carry a higher degree
of accuracy.

TRADE SHOW BOOTH INQUIRIES


5IFVTFPGUSBEFTIPXTCZ##mSNTJTBNBKPSNBSLFUJOHFYQFOTFGPSDPNQBOJFT0GUIPTF
that attend shows, most companies have become good at capturing the names of individuals
who either attend the show (show registration lists), or stop by the booth. People who stop by
booths are likely to be interested in the company or product/service, and have taken an action
CZBMMPXJOHUIFCPPUIQFSTPOOFMUPSFDPSEUIFJSJOGPSNBUJPO5IFTFCPPUIiTUPQCZTwDBOCF
frequently turned into active and qualified leads, and should be treated as such.

Strength: 5IFBDUJPOPOUIFQBSUPGUIFJOEJWJEVBMTIPVMEEFNPOTUSBUFUIFJSJOUFSFTU8JUIUIF
prevalence of scanable badges at most trade shows, the data on the badge is highly accurate.

Weakness:*GUIFBDUJWJUZBUUIFCPPUIXBTPGBDPNQFMMJOHOBUVSF FHFOUFSUBJONFOUPSIJHI
WBMVFHJWFBXBZ
UIFONBOZPGUIFCPPUIWJTJUPSTBSFiUJSFLJDLFSTw&WFOXJUIUIFTDBOBCMF
badge if the sales people then attempt to further qualify these people, at times the information
provided might well be wrong as the visitor does not answer the questions honestly, in part,
CFDBVTFUIFZEPOPUXBOUGPMMPXVQDBMMT*OBEEJUJPO JGUIFTIPXJTMBSHFUIFOUIFBUUFOEFFT
frequently will be overwhelmed and not even remember the booth visit. Speed in follow up on
inquiries from trade shows is therefore critical to successful lead generation.

SEARCH INQUIRIES
0OFPGUIFNPTUTJHOJmDBOUDIBOHFTJO##MFBEHFOFSBUJPOJTUIFMBSHFOVNCFSPGJORVJSJFT
UIBUOPXBSFEFSJWFEGSPNTFBSDIJORVJSJFToCPUIQBJEBOEPSHBOJD.BSLFUJOH4IFSQBIBT
reported that in 2008, 72% of all B2B purchases started with a general search as the first step by
the buyer. Therefore, this source of inquiries is a key source of inquiries.

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Strength: The real strength of search inquiries is that the individual filling out the web form has
found and inquired on their own, which demonstrates serious interest. Assuming that the indi-
vidual is serious about his/her inquiry, then the self-volunteered information will be accurate, as
he or she want and expect follow-up from the company.

Weakness: Because the reach of the web is world-wide most inquiries received will likely
OPUDPNFGSPNBOPVUCPVOEUBSHFUFEDPNNVOJDBUJPO*OTVDIDBTFTNBOZPGUIFTFJORVJSJFT
XJMMOPUQPTTFTUIFRVBMJmDBUJPOTUPCFDPNFBDVTUPNFS.BOZJORVJSJFTDPNFGSPNTUVEFOUT 
consultants and even competitors in addition to companies who will never be able to buy the
product/service. Therefore, following up on all of these inquiries might well consume a signifi-
cant budget without the associated sales revenue. An inquiry screening process is now the best
practice in following up search inquiries.

ONLINE REGISTRATIONS TO WEBINARS, WHITE PAPERS, ETC.


.BOZ##mSNTBSFOPXFOHBHJOHJOPõFSJOHXFCJOBST XIJUFQBQFSTPSPUIFSTVDIiJOGPSNBUJPO
PGWBMVFwJOBWBSJFUZPGNFEJBGPSNBUT5PBUUFOEUIFXFCJOBSTPSPCUBJOUIJTWBMVBCMFJOGPSNB-
tion, a registration is required and is done so typically on the web.

Strength: An individual who spends time on webinars or request white papers on specific top-
JDTPCWJPVTMZJTJOUFSFTUFEJOUIFUPQJD*GUIFUPQJDJTBMJHOFEXJUIUIFWBMVFQSPQPTJUJPOPGUIF
product/service being offered then they should be a good opportunity to generate qualified
leads and the self-volunteered data provided should be accurate

Weakness: The more interesting the webinar or white paper the more people will want the
information. However, just like search inquiries, they may not be qualified to become a lead
TPUIFTBNFJORVJSZTDSFFOJOHQSPDFTTTIPVMECFBQQMJFE*GBOJOEJWJEVBMLOPXTUIBUUIFZBSF
not a potential, then the data provided may well be inaccurate, as the individual will want to
SFQSFTFOUUIFNTFMWFTBTiRVBMJmFEwUPPCUBJOUIFJOGPSNBUJPO

CUSTOMER/TECHNICAL SUPPORT CALLS


0WFSUIFZFBST POFPGUIFMFBTUWBMVFEMJTUTCZNBSLFUFSTIBTCFFOUIFDBMMTNBEFUPUFDIOJDBM
or customer service. Fortunately this blind spot is now being corrected by smart marketers, as
UIFTFDBMMTNBOZUJNFTXJMMVODPWFSBEEJUJPOBMPQQPSUVOJUJFTUPTFMMNPSFQSPEVDUTTFSWJDFT*O
fact, at many large companies the best source of new leads comes from the current custom-
ers. Therefore, a call to customer service can be not only an opportunity to verify the accuracy
of the data, but also to generate new sales opportunities as well. This assumes that the service
provided meets the needs and expectations of the individual calling.

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Strength:0ODFUIFTFSWJDFIBTCFFOTVDDFTTGVMMZQSPWJEFEUIFDVTUPNFSJTPGUFOXJMMJOHUP
answer additional questions regarding opportunities for new sales. The data will be accurate as
these are customers and there is no reason to provide misinformation. The customer may well
provide additional information on the company or other contacts.

Weakness: The primary weakness in this source of data is that the customer or technical ser-
vice staffs do not see this as part of their job. Surprisingly, technically trained service personnel
do not make good sales people and may not record the information regarding a potential new
sales opportunity accurately. Therefore, not only training but possibly some incentives should
be considered to shore up this weakness.

NEW AND EMERGING LIST SOURCES


*OUIFMBTUTFWFSBMZFBSTBOFXCSFFEPG##MJTUTPVSDFTIBTFOUFSFEUIFMBOETDBQF$IJFGBNPOH
UIFTFBSF-JOLFE*O +JHTBXBOE;PPN*OGP&BDIPGUIFTFTIPVMECFJOWFTUJHBUFECZ##NBSLFU-
FSTUPEFUFSNJOFJGUIFZDPOUBJOOBNFTBOEJOGPSNBUJPOPGWBMVF*OHFOFSBM UIFZBQQSPBDIUIF
gathering of names of business people and company data differently and for divergent reasons.
Part of this new data gathering process involves using the web either as a site for self-reporting
of information and/or crawler technology to find and gather information contained on com-
pany websites. These firms are now offering their databases to marketers.

Strength: The strength of these new list sources is that the data is gathered via new approach-
es that includes self-volunteered and website information. To the extent that these sources are
accurate, the data will be accurate, and much likely more accurate than the compiled data-
bases as this is current information.

Weakness: The only real weakness is that not all the companies a marketer may want to target
are sure to be on the database. Additionally several of these new sources do not have deep
demographic information.

As can be surmised by the wide variety of data sources, it is incumbent upon the marketing
group to not only select those that meet their marketing needs, but also be aware of the nature
and potential problems with each source.

HOW TO CLEAN UP DIRTY B2B DATA:


##EBUBJTiEJSUJFSwUIBO#$EBUB BOENPSFEJMJHFODFNVTUCFVTFEJOUIFDMFBOJOHQSPDFTTUP
produce the highest possible accuracy and completeness of the data. Data hygiene and stan-
dardization therefore become critical processes to clean and keep accurate the data.

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8IJMFUIFSFXJMMCFNVMUJQMFTPVSDFTPGEBUBJOFWFSZNBSLFUJOHEBUBCBTF TUBOEBSETNVTUCFTFU
so there is a high level of confidence in the validity and usability of the data. The first process to
insure all other data processes will work to maximum efficiency is to standardize the addresses
of the incoming data. Fortunately the postal service has provided several good tools to do this.
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t 5PJOTVSFNBYJNVNEFMJWFSBCJMJUZPGBOZNBJMJOH
t 5PBMMPXGPSTJHOJmDBOUMZCFUUFSNBUDIJOHSBUFTXIFOFJUIFSFOIBODJOHUIFEBUBXJUI
other elements or elimination of internal duplicates, commonly called duplication
FMJNJOBUJPO*OFTTFODF UIFBEESFTTCFDPNFTUIFiLFZDPEFwUPJEFOUJGZUIFDPNQBOZ
in addition to the DUNS number (detailed later).

The following is a brief overview of the address standardization processes to employ.

CASS CERTIFICATION
$"44 $PEJOH"DDVSBDZ4VQQPSU4ZTUFN
JTB641PTU0öDFBEESFTTNBUDIJOHTPGUXBSFQSPDFTT
that corrects addresses that might be either incorrectly entered or incomplete. The resulting
NBJMJOHBEESFTTUIFODPOGPSNTUPBDDFQUFEQPTUBMTUBOEBSET QSPWJEFTBMM;*1 BTTJHONFOUT
BOEBTTPDJBUFEEFMJWFSZQPJOUDPEFT %1$
*OBEEJUJPO DFSUBJOQPTUBMEJTDPVOUTBSFPOMZBWBJM-
able to mailers if the mailing has been CASS certified.

NCOA OR NATIONAL CHANGE OF ADDRESS


8IFOCVTJOFTTFT OPUCVTJOFTTQFPQMF
NPWFUPBOFXMPDBUJPO UIFZEPmMFBOBEESFTTFE
change with the post office. A CASS Certification must be first performed to allow the list to be
DPNQBSFEBHBJOTUUIF/$0"mMFGPSVQEBUJOH5IFQPTUPöDFSFQPSUTUIBUJUIPMETDIBOHFPG
BEESFTTGPSNPOUITTPFWFOPMEFSBEESFTTDIBOHFTNJHIUXFMMCFVQEBUFE

The post office licenses a select number of firms to perform these two processes.

INTERNAL DATA STANDARDS – NOW IT GETS MORE DIFFICULT


0ODFUIFBEESFTTTUBOEBSEJ[BUJPOIBTCFFODPNQMFUFE UIFOUIFOFYUEBUBTUBOEBSETUPTFUBSF
internal. These tend to center around key fields, and in a hi-tech lead database the options are
many. The underlying purpose of these key fields is that not only do they describe the lead in
some detail, but also then can be used to drive the next marketing communication.

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Key Fields:*OHFOFSBM UIFLFZmFMETOFFEFEUPQSPWJEFUIFGVODUJPOBMJUZBOEVTBCJMJUZPGBMFBE


EBUBCBTFJTBTGPMMPXT
t /BNFPGDPOUBDUoGVMMOBNFXJUIOPBCCSFWJBUJPOTPGmSTUOBNF
t 5JUMFoVTJOHUIFTUBOEBSEUJUMFmFMETXJUIOPBCCSFWJBUJPOT
t $PNQBOZoGVMMDPNQBOZOBNFTQFMMFEPVU OPBCCSFWJBUJPOTVOMFTTUIFDPNQBOZJT
known only by an abbreviation (e.g. AXA)
t "EESFTTMJOFoUIFGVMMTUSFFUBEESFTTXJUITUBOEBSEBCCSFWJBUJPOTQMVTBOZCVJMEJOH
number or mail stop.
t "EESFTTMJOFoUIF$JUZ 4UBUFBOE;JQ EJHJU

t 1IPOFOVNCFSoEJSFDU DFMMPSDFOUSBMOVNCFSJEFOUJmFE
t &NBJMBEESFTT
t $PNQBOZ63-
t 4UBHFPGMFBEoUIFTBMFTQSPDFTTJTSFEVDFEUPBTFSJFTPGTUFQTFBDITJHOJGZJOHBEJTUJODU
stage of the sales cycle.
t 4UBHFPGCVZJOHQSPDFTToJGUIFCVZJOHQSPDFTTIBTCFFOPVUMJOFEUIFOJUJTBMTPJODMVEFE
in the key fields, as it is more relevant and meaningful to the individual contact than the
stage of your sales cycle.
t 'VODUJPOPGJOEJWJEVBMJOCVZJOHQSPDFTToFHEFDJTJPONBLFS JOnVFODFS VTFS FDPOPNJD
buyer, executive, etc.
t -BTUPõFSBDDFQUFEJGBOZoJTVTVBMMZBDPEFCBTFEPOUIFGVMMSBOHFPGBWBJMBCMFPõFST
t 4*$/"*$4DPEFoOPMFTTUIBUBEJHJUDPEFJG4*$BOEEJHJUGPS/"*$4
t $PNQBOZTJ[FCZFNQMPZFFOVNCFSPSSFWFOVFJGDPOmEFOUUIFSFWFOVFOVNCFSJTBD-
curate. Both employee size and revenue numbers are normally expressed as a range and
the standard ranges should be used to enable syncing to outside databases. Also, the
field is usually identified as a site level and not corporate level.

Depending on the specific needs of the marketer, there may be additional key fields required to
NBYJNJ[FUIFGVODUJPOBMJUZPGUIFEBUBCBTF*OBEEJUJPO UIFSFNBZCFOPOLFZmFMETXIJDIXJMM
be more customized to the specific product/service being sold.

6QEBUJOH'SFRVFODZ0ODFUIFTFmFMETBSFFTUBCMJTIFEBOEUIFEBUBTUBOEBSETTFU UIFOUIF
updating frequency must be established. Simply, how frequently do the key fields need to be
updated? As previously mentioned, between 60-70% of business people have one or more
DIBOHFTJOUIFJSCVTJOFTTJOGPSNBUJPOJOBNPOUIQFSJPE*GUIFVQEBUJOHPGUIJTJOGPSNBUJPO
is only done yearly then likely a significant decay will have occurred before the update and
result in missed communications.

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The following are the data fields that require more frequent updating to insure accuracy
CFZPOEUIF/$0"QSPDFTT XIJDITIPVMEVQEBUFBMPDBUJPONPWFPGUIFDPNQBOZBOEUIFOFX
BEESFTT0CWJPVTMZ UIFEBUFPGMBTUVQEBUFTIPVMECFQBSUPGUIFEBUBCBTFEFTJHO
t $POUBDUOBNF
t 5JUMFBOEPS'VODUJPO
t &NBJMBEESFTT
t 1IPOFOVNCFS

The other key fields are either updated in the normal course of a lead nurturing program or
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To frequently update these key fields, periodic requests can and should be made to the
individual for verification or in some cases an outbound call to verify the data may be needed
either due to the importance of the individual to the sale or that they have not responded to
any email update request.

Finally, when the database is updated the new data is entered and a standard needs to be set
BTUPJGBOEIPXMPOHPMEEBUBJTLFQU*OPUIFSXPSET XIBUBSFUIFCVTJOFTTSVMFTUPVQEBUJOH
the database? As an example, the assigned industry code by the public data compilers might
be incorrect due to a number of sourcing issues or be the primary and not secondary industry
code (many companies have more than one industry code as they have different business
EJWJTJPOTBOEQSPEVDUTTFSWJDFT
8IFOJUJTEFUFSNJOFEUIBUUIFDPEFJTJODPSSFDU XIPIBTUIF
authority to change the master database and under what conditions? These issues need to be
EJTDVTTFEBOEBTFUPGSVMFTFTUBCMJTIFE##EBUBNBOBHFNFOUJTOPUFBTZ

ENHANCE TO LEARN WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW


.PTUEBUBPOJORVJSJFTTUBSUTXJUIBSFTQPOTFGSPNBOJOEJWJEVBMSFQSFTFOUJOHBDPNQBOZ5IJT
record typically has the individual’s name, title, company, and address plus what they have re-
sponded to (the marketing stimulation) and for (the offer). Unless they filled out a form contain-
ing additional demographic information the record is relatively thin in other data. That’s one of
the reasons to enhance the record with additional demographic information that will provide a
CFUUFSQJDUVSFPGUIFDPNQBOZUIBUUIFJOEJWJEVBMSFQSFTFOUT&OIBODJOHUIFSFDPSEBMTPFOBCMFT
several other valuable usages.

Inquiry Screening: &OIBODJOHUIFSFDPSEQSPWJEFTJOGPSNBUJPOUPEFUFSNJOFJGUIFJORVJSZmUT


UIFiCFTUDVTUPNFSwQSPmMFPSOPU%FQFOEJOHPOIPXXFMMUIFJORVJSZmUTUIFQSPmMFTIPVME

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determine the prioritization and therefore resource appropriate to use for follow-up in the
lead qualification process. The use of a higher cost telemarketing call should only be used for
inquiries that fit the best customer profile and other lower cost qualification methods used for
lower priority inquiries.

4FHNFOUBUJPO5IFEFNPHSBQIJDEBUBBMTPBMMPXTGPSBTFHNFOUBUJPOQSPDFTTBTJUJTJOTJHIUGVM
to understand who is responding by market segment. This is particularly useful when many
search responses have been received.

3FMFWBODZPG$PNNVOJDBUJPOT8IJMFUIFJOGPSNBUJPODPOUBJOFEJOUIFJOJUJBMJORVJSZBMMPXTGPS
some relevancy of communications, the enhanced record adds to this ability. The more relevant
UIFNFTTBHFBOEPõFS UIFIJHIFSUIFFOHBHFNFOUBOESFTQPOTFSBUFToBQSPWFOEJSFDU
marketing principle.

*OGPSNBUJPOGPS4BMFT"TTVNJOHUIFJORVJSZCFDPNFTBRVBMJmFEMFBE UIFFOIBODFEEFNPHSBQIJD
record will provide the sales person (direct, inside or business partner) a much better picture of
the company they are calling on and will translate to a better sales call.

ENHANCING PROCESS – NOW THE FUN BEGINS:


*OHFOFSBM FOIBODJOHB##SFDPSENFBOTUIBUJUJTNBUDIFEBHBJOTUBQVCMJDEBUBCBTFPG
information and the desired demographic information is transferred to the record. Address
standardization is typically required to allow for improved matching of the records to the larger
public database.

It’s Not Perfect:*O##FWFOUIPVHIUIFSFDPSECFJOHNBUDIFEIBTCFFOBEESFTTTUBOEBSEJ[FE 


UIJTEPFTOPUJOTVSFBNBUDI.PTUNBSLFUFSTHJWFMJUUMFBUUFOUJPOUPDMFBOJOHUIFEBUBCFGPSF
sending it out to be matched against a public database and experience only a 60-65% match
rate and are universally disappointed. Unfortunately, even with a soled cleaning process the
CFTU##NBUDISBUFTBSFJOUIFSBOHFBTUIFNBUDIJOHTPGUXBSFBUUJNFTDBOOPUEFUFS-
mine if the two company records are the same, and therefore does not identify it as a match.

5IFTFUUJOHPGUIFiQFSDFOUBHFPGNBUDIwGPVOEJOUIFDPNQBOZOBNFBOEBEESFTTmFMETQMVT
the sophistication of the matching algorithms is a determinate as to how many matches are
found. This is a variable in matching that should be discussed and agreed to with those who
are performing the matching process, as it will have significant impact on the matching
BOEFOIBODFNFOUSBUFT*ONPTUDBTFT UIFDPNQBOZUPCFNBUDIFEJTJOUIFMBSHFSQVCMJD

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database, but the software can’t identify it as the same company and therefore does not match
UIFSFDPSE*GUIFWBMVFPGUIFDVTUPNFSJTIJHI UIFOBUUJNFTBNBOVBMNBUDIJOHQSPDFTTXPVME
be justified.

%VO#SBETUSFFUBOEUIF%6/4/VNCFS*O##UIFSFBSFTFWFSBMMBSHFQVCMJDEBUBCBTFT BOEBMM
have a matching and enhancing capability. The database that is frequently preferred over the
others is Dun & Bradstreet. There are three differentiations that are valuable for B2B marketers,
BOEUIFZBSF

%6/4 %BUB6OJWFSTBM/VNCFSJOH4ZTUFN
/VNCFS5IJTJTBVOJRVFOJOFEJHJUOVNCFSUIBU
identifies every business location in the US and globally. This number thus serves as a key code
UPUJFBMMJOGPSNBUJPOBCPVUFBDIMPDBUJPOUPHFUIFS*OBEEJUJPO JTBMTPTFSWFTBTTUBOEBSECVTJ-
OFTTJEFOUJmFSGPSGFEFSBMFMFDUSPOJDDPNNFSDFBOEUIF'FEFSBM"DRVJTJUJPO3FHVMBUJPO '"3
JO
XIJDICFDPNFTJNQPSUBOUJGZPVEPCVTJOFTTXJUIUIFHPWFSONFOU

1BSFOU$PNQBOZ-JOLBHF5IF%6/4OVNCFSBMTPJTVTFEUPMJOLFBDIMPDBUJPOUPUIFQBSFOU
company. This is particularly useful when selling to companies that have either multiple loca-
tions or divisions, as this gives an in-depth view of the overall company vs. only one location.

(MPCBM5IFSFBSFPWFSNJMMJPOHMPCBMCVTJOFTTMPDBUJPOTJOUIF%#EBUBCBTF4JODFNPTU
B2B firms market to other regions in the world in addition to the US, D&B provides the only
source of business data able to be linked on a world-wide basis.

THE DATA CHOICES


There is a relatively wide array of data choices from D&B. Depending on the marketing situation
and type of companies targeted, these data choices become opportunities for enhancements
to the lead database.

COMPANY DATA
Company name
Parent company name
Location type (HQ, plant, research center, etc.)
Subsidiary status
Stock ticker (only 1% of companies are on the stock exchange)
DUNS number
D&B prescreen score (credit rating)
*NQPSUFYQPSU

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Public/private
0XOTSFOUT
New listing
:FBSFTUBCMJTIFE
Bank name
Accountant name
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8PNBOPXOFE

LOCATION DATA
Continent and Country
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$PVOUZBOE.4" .FUSPQPMJUBO4UBUJTUJDBM"SFB

Area and zip code


Latitude - longitude

INDUSTRY DATA
4*$DPEFBOEPS/"*$4DPEF
Line of business
.BOVGBDUVSJOHJOEJDBUPS

SIZE DATA
&NQMPZNFOUTBMFTSFWFOVFFJUIFSBUUIFTJUFPSFOUFSQSJTFXJEFMFWFM
&NQMPZNFOUUSFOE
Plant or facility size in sq. ft.

CONTACT DATA
*OEJWJEVBM
+PCGVODUJPOBOEUJUMF
&YFDVUJWF T
OBNFT

ESTABLISHMENT
Fax number
1IPOFOVNCFSoEJSFDUPSUPMMGSFF
8FCBEESFTT

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A WARNING ABOUT EMAIL APPENDING


The preceding enhancement choices do not include appending an individual’s email address
unless the firm is a very small business and the email address is listed in the public database.
The mail address and telephone number are able to be appended with some degree of accu-
SBDZCZNBUDIJOHBOEFOIBODJOHBHBJOTUQVCMJDEBUBCBTFT*OUIFDBTFPGUFMFQIPOFOVNCFSJU
will most likely be the company’s main phone number, but a number never-the-less.

*OUIFMBTUTFWFSBMZFBSTFNBJMBQQFOEJOHTFSWJDFmSNTIBWFTQSVOHVQ BTFNBJMJTOPUPOMZBMPX
cost communication media, but at times not easily obtained at the individual contact level. The
procedure of appending is straight forward if only one email address within the company is known
BTUIFOUIFFNBJMBEESFTTXPVMEMJLFMZGPMMPXUIFTBNFGPSNBUoFH+PIO4NJUI!"#$DPN

These services promise more than they typically provide as the real match rate is only 10-20% if
UIBU*OGBDU UIFSFIBWFCFFOSFDFOUQSPCMFNTXJUIFNBJMBQQFOEJOHmSNTXIPOPUPOMZEPOU
EFMJWFSXIBUUIFZQSPNJTF CVUBMTPCJMMGPSTFSWJDFTOPUQSPWJEFE5IFSFGPSF BXBSOJOHUPBMMo
check references and/or other clients who have used these services before signing a contract
or advancing money. There are an increasing number of scams now occurring in email append-
ing so be very careful.

*OBEEJUJPO CFGPSFBQQFOEJOHFNBJMTPGJOEJWJEVBMTXIPIBWFOPUPQUFEJO BTLXIBUZPVBSF


going to do with the email address once it is obtained? Unwanted or unsolicited email can and
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acquisition of inquiries is not working well, but as in all things in direct marketing it should be tested.

As with all B2B data, there can be errors so it is important to understand how and when the
data has been gathered and updated. Therefore, if there is actual information gathered by
the lead process that is considered to be more accurate, it is standard practice to update the
EBUBCBTFUPSFnFDUUIFEBUBDPSSFDUJPOT5IJTSFRVJSFTBTFUPGCVTJOFTTSVMFTCFFTUBCMJTIFEUPTP
that confusion in the updating process is eliminated.

SUMMARY
*GZPVIBWFNBEFJUUPUIFFOEPGUIJTTPNFXIBUEFUBJMFEEFTDSJQUJPOPGUIF##EBUBXPSMEZPV
now should have a complete understanding of the intricacies of this critical element in data-
base marketing. The time and money spent to insure the most complete and accurate data will
pay great dividends in not only cost efficiencies but also revenue generation. Continue to be
on the lookout for improvements in data sources and methods to clean, update and enhance.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


+PIO.$PF 1SFTJEFOUBOE'PVOEFS 5IF4BMFT.BSLFUJOH*OTUJUVUF+PIO$PFTCBDLHSPVOE
JODMVEFTFYQFSJFODFPOCPUIUIFTBMFTBOENBSLFUJOHTJEF0OUIFTBMFTTJEF +PIOXBTBmFME
TBMFTQFSTPO OBUJPOBMTBMFTNBOBHFSBOEFYFDVUJWFGPSTFWFSBMDPNQBOJFT0OUIFNBSLFUJOH
TJEF IFSBOB##EJSFDUNBSLFUJOHBHFODZGPSZFBST XBT/BUJPOBM$BNQBJHO.BOBHFSBU*#.
BOE4S71PG##BU3BQQ$PMMJOT8PSMEXJEF)FTQFBLTJOUFSOBUJPOBMMZBOEJTFWFOHJWJOHUXP
EBZTFNJOBSTJO$IJOBUXJDFBZFBS)JTCPPL QVCMJTIFECZ.D(SBX)JMM JTUJUMFEi5IF'VOEB-
NFOUBMTPG#VTJOFTTUP#VTJOFTT4BMFT.BSLFUJOHw)FDBOCFSFBDIFECZDBMMJOH
PSCZFNBJMBUKPIODPF!CCNBSLFUJOHDPN

ABOUT INVENIO MARKETING SOLUTIONS


*OWFOJP.BSLFUJOH4PMVUJPOTJTBGVMMTFSWJDFNBSLFUJOHDPNQBOZGPDVTFEPOUIFMFBEEFWFM-
opment and revenue growth of business-to-business and nonprofit organizations. Formed
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is a cutting edge, marketing solutions powerhouse with an experienced team, strong vision,
diverse skill set and proven track record of success. The company is headquartered in Austin,
5FYBTBOEIBTPöDFTJO8JODIFTUFS 7" -BT$PMJOBT 59 4BNNBNJTI 8" BOE-PT"OHFMFT $"
For more information, visit www.inveniomarketing.com

CONTACT INVENIO
",SBNFS-BOF
Suite 200
Austin, Texas 78758
1IPOF
&NBJM*OGP!JOWFOJPNBSLFUJOHDPN
888*/7&/*0."3,&5*/($0.

ª*OWFOJP.BSLFUJOH4PMVUJPOT"MMSJHIUTSFTFSWFE

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