For many B2B organizations, data is essentialโfrom assessing credit risks to improving customer relationships. But since the introduction of GDPR in 2018, the rules have changed. Stricter regulations mean that mishandling data not only poses legal risks but also has direct consequences for business processes.
How do you ensure your company remains GDPR-compliant without hindering innovation and growth? In this article, we share best practices for business data management in B2B.
Why GDPR is more than just a legal obligation
Many companies still see GDPR as a compliance issue mainly for the legal department. However, in practice, it affects all business processes that work with data, such as:
- Sales & marketing โ How do you handle customer data and lead lists?
- Finance & risk management โ How do you assess creditworthiness without violating privacy rules?
- Data & IT teams โ How do you ensure data quality without conflicting with retention periods?
The risks of poor GDPR compliance for B2B companies are significant. For example, the Dutch Data Protection Authority has already imposed hundreds of millions of euros in fines on Netflix and Uber for non-compliance with GDPR. The main risks for companies are:
- A fine can reach up to 4% of annual revenue in case of a violation
- Loss of business clients who have strict supplier requirements
- Data quality deteriorates if datasets are not properly maintained
These risks also present an opportunity for companies. By proactively managing GDPR, you can gain customer trust and improve data governance.
Practical GDPR best practices for B2B companies
1. Data inventory: Know which business data you process
Many companies have customer data spread across CRMs, ERP systems, and even Excel files. These so-called data silos make it difficult to comply with GDPR.
- Conduct a data audit: What customer and business data do you collect, where do you collect it, and why?
- Remove unnecessary data. Think of old customer files, outdated company addresses, and more. Clean up your systems and give them a Data Detox.
- Centralize data storage. No more searching through various silos, but create a Single Source of Truth that is consistent across all systems. This makes compliance much easier.
Interesting read: Quick clean data: A matter of (no) time
2. Privacy by Design: Integrate GDPR into business processes
In practice, this means the following:
- Lead lists and CRMs: Only use data from customers who have explicitly given consent.
- Creditworthiness checks: Anonymize data as soon as you extract it from a system and where possible.
- B2B marketing campaigns: Ensure that contact details are up-to-date and legally collected.
A well-designed process prevents compliance from becoming a bottleneck for departments such as sales and risk management.
3. Automation: Make GDPR compliance easier
Many companies, including B2B companies, struggle with GDPR because it is time-consuming manually. Solutions to this can include:
- Automate data deletion in systems where you store it, such as CRMs and ERPs. Clean data is not only good for GDPR, but it also offers many other benefits.
- Use AI tools for data monitoring and compliance. Be sure to pay attention to which AI tools you use and also test these tools for GDPR compliance.
- Link systems smartly to ensure that no 'forgotten' datasets are created in silos.
Interesting read: dataxess is the plug for smart, clean data in your CRM
GDPR as a competitive advantage in B2B
For B2B companies, GDPR is not just about compliance, but also about trust. More and more large companies are requiring their suppliers and partners to be GDPR-compliant.
What does a good GDPR policy deliver?
- Stronger customer relationships as companies handle data transparently and reliably.
- Less risk of data breaches that could cause reputational damage.
- Faster processes when GDPR is properly managed from the ground up.
Make GDPR manageable within B2B
GDPR doesnโt have to be an obstacle to growth โ on the contrary, companies that organize their data management smartly can actually benefit from it. Through automation, clear processes, and a focus on data quality, you can ensure compliance without disrupting the business flow.
Curious about how your company can remain GDPR-compliant without compromising data quality? Contact us below for a consultation.
