With the new data rules coming into effect next May, there are numerous warnings that service sector organisations could be at risk from multimillion pound fines or even go out of business for failing to prepare for the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
However, getting systems in place now could protect your business from hefty penalties by being able to show what personal data you hold and where it is located. All businesses rely on data for closer customer engagement, and although we are now just five months away from the biggest shake up in data regulations in three decades, there are still many organisations that have not started preparing for the changes even though it could threaten their livelihood. With the growth in cloud services and direct marketing platforms such as Pardot, MailChimp and DotMailer, all sizes of organisations now have the tools to collect and manage data on their clients and prospects, and many legal experts are warning that ignorance of the new regulations will be no defence. By having an industry leading CRM in place, with its automated tools and built in privacy and security protections, is just one of the ways that an organisation can protect itself against data breaches. For those who already have a CRM solution in place, your partners should be doing all they can to help you comply with the new rules. As a CRM industry leader, Salesforce has already invested heavily in setting up a dedicated resource website and enhancing products, contracts and documentation to support GDPR compliance. For smaller businesses, there are a number of steps you can take right now, and plenty of good sources of information out there. The Information Commissioner’s Office website should be your first port of call for the latest news and updates, including a 12-step guide to getting started. The Direct Marketing Association also has checklists and white papers, all designed to help all businesses stay on the right track ahead of the changes. With just a few months to go, don’t underestimate the impact of the new rules, and leave your organisation unprotected. We welcome anyone to contact us if you would like any further help with putting these systems in place.
