Why are business data an essential strategic lever? In a world where information plays an increasingly decisive role, business data is a real asset for refining commercial strategy. But how can it be best utilized? Discover concrete approaches and practical examples to transform this data into growth opportunities.
Business data covers a wide range of information, including:
Legal data: Kbis extract, statutes, legal documents, etc.Financial data: balance sheets, income statements, financial indicators, etc.Competitive information: market shares, positioning, activities and innovations of players in the same sector.
This information proves particularly useful for:
Better understanding market trends.Identifying new business opportunities.Making more relevant strategic decisions.
Example: An SME can analyze the annual accounts of its competitors through Pole Sociétés to adjust its own marketing budgets or review its pricing policies.
Why is segmentation crucial?
Segmenting your clientele involves defining the key characteristics of your customers to best tailor your business actions. Available information, such as revenue or the geographical area of companies, allows for the design of targeted and more effective campaigns.
Practical case:
A software publishing company can identify local businesses that have recently raised funds through specialized databases. It can then offer solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of these rapidly growing structures.
To create relevant customer segments, it is necessary to study several variables: the number of employees, the geographical area, the buying cycle, and even preferred communication channels. This analysis should be conducted by a multidisciplinary team (marketing, sales, data analysts) so that the defined segments align with field realities and the company's objectives.
Understanding Your Competitors to Better Position Yourself
Business data provides a comprehensive view of the competition: financial health, strategic partnerships, and level of innovation.
Case Study:
A tech startup can track the progress of innovative companies through dedicated platforms (like Data Hub). This allows them to anticipate product launches and even identify potential partners or common suppliers.
To structure your monitoring, start by listing your main competitors and define performance indicators to watch (product launches, fundraising, strategic partnerships, etc.). You can then automate data collection using tools like Google Alerts or Mention, and subsequently monitor financial developments.
Why study financial performance?
Financial information is essential for evaluating potential partnerships, measuring risks, or considering acquisitions.
Case study:
A leader looking to expand internationally can analyze the balance sheets of companies in their sector in targeted markets. This approach helps estimate launch costs and identify potential local partners.
By examining the debt ratio, you will know if a company is in a stable financial situation or if it risks facing cash flow difficulties. Similarly, revenue trends allow for estimating the company's dynamism in its market. In the context of an acquisition, it is recommended to conduct comprehensive due diligence, including legal and tax checks, to limit risks.
How to Spot Weak Signals?
By studying sector data, you closely monitor market trends and adjust your offerings accordingly. This allows you, for example, to identify booming sectors or niches that are still underexploited.
Practical Case:
A company specializing in eco-friendly packaging notices, through database analysis, that major food groups are investing more in sustainable solutions. It then decides to develop a new range catering to this emerging need.
In the tech sector, observing filed patents and investments in R&D can reveal the emergence of new technologies. In the food industry, monitoring changes in health regulations and the growing interest in organic products can help anticipate demand. Predictive analytics tools, based on artificial intelligence, can also highlight weak signals of rising or falling consumption.
What tools are at your disposal?
Today, a multitude of solutions facilitate the automated collection and analysis of business data:
Online platforms offering detailed databases.Predictive analytics software to anticipate trend developments.Connected CRM tools that allow quickly putting gathered information into practice.
Tip: Choose a platform like Pole sociétés that offers both a rich database and export features to simplify your analyses.
Connected CRM solutions often allow centralizing information about your prospects and clients, automatically generating performance reports, and even targeting personalized marketing actions. However, ensure security protocols (encryption, access control) are in place to protect data confidentiality, especially when it involves financial or strategic information.
Leveraging business data is no longer an option but an imperative to stay competitive. By analyzing it proactively, you optimize your strategies, deepen your customer knowledge, and maintain an edge over the competition. Don't hesitate any longer: place your data at the heart of your decision-making and transform it into a true performance lever.
Author Audrey on 22 September 2022
Trade and Society : Industry
Author Audrey on 23 August 2022
Trade and Society : Industry