Don’t Ask

ByChuck McDanal

So many times we go to do something online and we are asked for all sorts of information. Let’s think about this in two buckets: What does the company or organization actually NEED from you to conduct whatever business you are doing? And what else are they asking for? For most things, when you get past a name and email address, you’re pushing it. Why do you need my mailing address? My phone? My exact date of birth?

And then when you layer in the security questions that more and more sites are employing, we’re getting over the top here. I mean, security questions for a banking web site or something similar? Sure, absolutely. But when we see them for sites where the business or transaction we’re conducting is just not that big of a deal, we are entrusting others without a compelling need to do so, with the very data that can be used to steal our identity.

Companies need to look inward and ask themselves whether they really WANT to be responsible for that level of personal detail. We all know that much of the information collected is purely for marketing, whether internal or to be sold. We just sort of accept it as the price of modern life and convenience, and move on.

But I would flip this around and argue that companies should protect themselves from the data piracy that is rampant these days. If you don’t have the data, it can’t be stolen, and you won’t suffer legal ramifications or a consumer backlash. Reputations matter and you don’t want to be the site people don’t trust, no matter how noble your cause, or how stellar the quality of your product.

So take a breath, get your marketing and IT people to dial it down a bit, and just don’t ask.

Chuck McDanal is the owner of StudioC and has more than 25 years of experience in a range of roles, from managing an IT department to working as an editor; from directing a large operation to leading an internet startup and creating a 501(c)(3) nonprofit from the ground up. He has extensive experience in process improvement, data analytics, coaching, mentoring, facilitation, strategic planning, managing and leading. Chuck also is a Certified Analytics Professional, an RRCA-certified running coach, has a certificate from the Wharton School in Business Analytics, is a Six Sigma Black Belt, and is a professional coffee roaster. He has served on multiple community boards and organizations, which currently includes the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra and Lakeland Vision. He is a graduate of Leadership Lakeland and Leadership Polk, and was Chair-elect of Leadership Lakeland Class 36 and Chair of Class 37. Chuck was named 2020 Businessman of the Year by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. He recently published a book called “Human Training,” which is available on Amazon and through other resellers.

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