Afferent: - an anatomical term, meaning conveying towards a centre.  (opposite: efferent). [Latin afferēns, afferent-, present participle of afferre, to bring toward : ad-, ad- + ferre, to bring]

Most usually associated with the nervous system but also refers to the movement of blood and lymph towards an organ.

Afferent neurons, also known as sensory neurons, carry impulses from peripheral  sites and/or sense organs towards the spinal chord and brain, the central nervous system.  The afferent system thus refers to the means whereby the body collates all the data concerning the nature of its environment (temperature, pressure etc.) so that appropriate decisions concerning movement can be made, determined by efferent nerve impulses.  The afferent and efferent neuronal pathways continuously work together ensuring the integrity and health of the organism is preserved.

If you want your business to succeed in an ever changing world, then you need always to know your business environment in every aspect and to respond quickly and optimally at every occasion.  This is Afferent.