Evaluate relationship health
Course overview · 4 min reading + 12 min practice, estimated
Principles and method
Track useful conversations, record freshness, relevant introductions and preference handling, alongside membership counts. A large pool can be ineffective if nobody has current interest or the records cannot be trusted. Cohort analysis can show whether new members remain engaged over time, but define what engagement means and avoid intrusive tracking. Review complaints and exits as information about the service. Close a pool or narrow its purpose when the team cannot maintain it. Honest smaller coverage is more useful than an inflated database claim.
Worked example
A pool doubles in size after an import but current verified interest falls. The team pauses acquisition, checks permission and freshness, and measures relevant conversations per active record rather than celebrating the total count.
Put it into practice
Create a monthly scorecard with four measures and one action threshold.
Use fictional information and keep your work in your own notes.
Compare your approach: self-review guidance
Use defined denominators and distinguish active, stale and suppressed records. Include a quality measure that can trigger a pause. Do not equate database size with available talent.
Sources and further reading
Original Academy teaching and fictional examples. These references provide context, not endorsement. Edition 2026.09; updated 2026-09-24.
- CIPD: Recruitment
Professional context for the recruitment lifecycle.
- ICO: Recruitment and selection
UK guidance. Check its current status and updates before implementation.