What are the most common challenges and pitfalls of channel performance dashboards?

1 Data quality and integration

One of the biggest challenges of channel performance dashboards is ensuring the quality and integration of the data that feeds them. Data quality refers to the accuracy, completeness, consistency, and timeliness of the data, while data integration refers to the ability to combine data from different sources and formats. Poor data quality and integration can lead to inaccurate, incomplete, or inconsistent dashboards that may misinform or mislead you and your channel partners. To avoid this, you need to establish clear data standards and protocols, validate and cleanse your data regularly, and use reliable and compatible data integration tools and methods.

2 Data security and privacy

Another challenge of channel performance dashboards is ensuring the security and privacy of the data that is shared and accessed. Data security and privacy refer to the protection of the data from unauthorized or malicious use, disclosure, modification, or destruction. Breaching data security and privacy can damage your reputation, trust, and compliance with your channel partners and customers, as well as expose you to legal and financial risks. To prevent this, you need to implement robust data security and privacy policies and practices, such as encryption, authentication, authorization, auditing, and backup. You also need to communicate and align with your channel partners on their data security and privacy expectations and obligations.

3 Data relevance and alignment

A third challenge of channel performance dashboards is ensuring the relevance and alignment of the data that is displayed and analyzed. Data relevance and alignment refer to the suitability and consistency of the data for your channel goals, strategies, and actions. Irrelevant or misaligned data can cause confusion, frustration, or conflict among you and your channel partners, as well as waste your time and resources. To avoid this, you need to define and agree on your channel objectives, key performance indicators (KPIs), targets, and benchmarks with your channel partners. You also need to customize and update your dashboards according to your channel needs and preferences.

4 Data interpretation and action

A fourth challenge of channel performance dashboards is ensuring the proper interpretation and action of the data that is presented and reported. Data interpretation and action refer to the ability to understand, communicate, and act on the data in a meaningful and effective way. Poor data interpretation and action can lead to miscommunication, misunderstanding, or inaction among you and your channel partners, as well as hamper your channel performance and improvement. To overcome this, you need to use clear and simple data visualization and storytelling techniques, such as charts, graphs, tables, and narratives. You also need to provide actionable insights and recommendations based on your data analysis and feedback.

5 Data culture and collaboration

A fifth challenge of channel performance dashboards is fostering a data culture and collaboration among you and your channel partners. Data culture and collaboration refer to the mindset and behavior that value, use, and share data for channel decision-making and improvement. Lacking a data culture and collaboration can result in resistance, distrust, or isolation among you and your channel partners, as well as limit your channel potential and growth. To foster this, you need to promote a data-driven and learning-oriented channel culture, where data is seen as an asset and a tool for channel success. You also need to encourage and facilitate data sharing and collaboration among your channel partners, such as through regular meetings, reviews, and feedback.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?