Part 2: GDPR – lead source and evidence
In this series of blogs on GDPR, I’m helping small businesses understand what this change in our data protection law will mean for them and also share tips and advice I’ve found useful for my own business, Sayers Solutions – Marketing and Strategy for Small Businesses.
Catch up on the previous blogs here:
To recap, GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation and will replace our current data protection laws from 25th May 2018. It is the biggest change to our data protection laws for over 20 years and is being introduced to strengthen EU citizens’ privacy rights.
Lead source
To manage your data in line with GDPR, ‘lead source’ should be a field in your database to focus on. It should indicate where you got that data from or how that contact became known to you. For example; subscribed to your mailing list, has bought your products/services, met at networking event etc. I recommend that this field is multi-field, as you generally come into contact with a number of people from the same organisation and perhaps have a variety of different initial interactions.
Evidence
It is also good practice to keep evidence of how that contact became known to you (i.e. business card, email, public record etc).
So, it’s always a good idea to:
- take a digital copy of contacts’ business cards after networking events
- save a copy of the email showing they wish to be added to your mailing list
- record the conversation
- not necessarily a voice recording but add notes to the conversation history in your CRM system, providing that normal and truthful records are kept up-to-date. This should not be abused to override the system and good habits should always be applied.
- keep diary entries showing events and meetings attended with perhaps the delegate list.
If you don’t currently use a CRM (customer relationship management) system, think about the other data your business keeps. For example, bookkeeping systems, spreadsheets, phone book etc, and implement a way of recording the lead source in those systems. No matter what system, the lead source of your data should always be noted and updated. Especially when moving it from one system to another – potentially including the date in the title, if not controlled by its own field.
Look out for my next blog covering the reasons for processing data.
Want more now?
Download the entire blog series in PDF here for free.
If you would like to discuss your GDPR compliance, or any other marketing activity, then please get in touch. Sayers Solutions are well connected with experts on this matter and would love to help support your business.
If you want to arrange a conversation, we can chat over the phone or potentially skype. Give me a ring on 07790705223 during reasonable business hours (yours might be more generous than mine, so please don’t ring too early! #SchoolRunMum).
If you are in the Huddersfield/Wakefield/Leeds area let’s arrange to meet to discuss this or your marketing activity further.
Or email me through the website contact form https://www.sayerssolutions.co.uk/contact-me/
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Look forward to hearing from you
Merewyn Sayers
Sayers Solutions – Small Business Marketing and Strategy
www.sayerssolutions.co.uk