This blog has it right, 5 very important points for any data business:

1. Create proprietary benchmarks that set the standard in the market
2.  Passive, anonymous data increases quality
3.  All data has value, over time all value will become apparent
4.  Link data and use it in context
5.  Focus on single problems before you operationalize

http://www.lifeinbeta.org/2013/12/the-new-data-wars-or-5-steps-to-building-the-next-bloomberg/