Not an April fool: The high cost of low quality data

Edgar de Wit

Every April 1st, the internet floods with pranks and hoaxes. But here’s a statistic that’s no joke: businesses in the U.S. waste over $3 trillion each year due to bad data.

The hidden cost of bad data

Poor-quality data leads to inefficiencies, lost revenue, and poor decision-making. Whether it's duplicate records, outdated information, or misentered numbers, the impact is enormous. Some of the biggest consequences include:

• Lost productivity: Employees waste valuable time correcting errors instead of focusing on strategic tasks.
• Missed opportunities: Inaccurate data can result in failed marketing campaigns and misinformed business strategies.
• Regulatory risks: Errors in financial reporting can lead to compliance issues and hefty fines.
• Damaged reputation: Incorrect customer data can harm relationships and erode trust.

Why is bad data so expensive?

A report from IBM estimates that bad data costs businesses about 15-25% of their revenue each year. With the ever-growing volume of data, errors multiply quickly, making it difficult to maintain accuracy. If a company doesn’t have the right tools to ensure data integrity, they end up paying the price—literally.

How to fix the problem

The good news? You don’t have to be part of this costly statistic. Here are some ways to improve data quality in your organization:

1. Automate data processes: Reduce human errors by automating data entry and validation.
2. Implement data governance: Establish clear policies for data accuracy, ownership, and maintenance.
3. Use smart reporting tools: Solutions like XLReporting help consolidate, validate, and analyze data to ensure accuracy.
4. Regular audits: Conduct routine checks to identify and correct data inconsistencies before they become costly mistakes.

Don’t let bad data fool you.

If you’re ready to improve your data quality, schedule a discovery call with us today to discover how XLReporting can support your organization.