Does it really come down to personal preference?

Who else got shiny object syndrome when they first started their business? I know I did! Particularly coming from the public sector into the private sector. I signed up for every free trial I could (top tip: unsubscribe to the sales funnels before your inbox gets overrun). I tested out all the recommended programs from different business groups. I tried to learn as much as possible when it came to programs.  

I soon found that programs which specialise in a particular area all perform very similarly. For example, task management. Whether you're in camp Trello, Asana, ClickUp, or Monday.com, you'll find they perform very similar functions, and at the end of the day, it really just comes down to personal preference. Find what feels nice for you to use. 

There are 3 areas I look at when it comes to systems/tech/programs. 

1. Technical experience: Are you comfortable with technology? Do you need something more user-friendly, or are you happy to dig in and figure out every corner of the program? 

2. Budget: What is your budget? Do you want to look at free versions before diving into a monthly or annual subscription? What can you spend on a subscription? Is it worth looking at your current subscriptions and seeing if you can use those? 

3. Business needs: Why do you need this new program? Will it grow with your business? Does it integrate nicely with your current systems? 

If you're further along in your business you may have signed up to programs and forgotten about them. You pay a monthly subscription, forgotten the login details, and can't remember why you signed up in the first place. Or you may have outsourced support a little while ago, and they've signed you up to a program you're really unsure of, and don't use it. 

Schedule regular tech audits to evaluate your current tech and whether you can trim down expenses. Use the 3 areas I mentioned above and ask yourself these questions: 

1. Does the program work for you? 

2. Does it feel nice? 

3. Is it within your budget?  

4. Are you wasting money on it? 

5. Are you actually using the system? 

It's always better to unpack the functions of your current systems before you go ahead and try to find that unicorn program to fix all of your tech issues. 

So what steps can you take to find the programs that are right for you? 

1. Recommendations: search business groups for recommendations, and ask other business owners within your network. 

2. Research: search the internet, look at all their inclusions, and check the reviews. Capterra is a great place to start. 

3. Trial: take advantage of free trials and test out the program before you jump ship. Allocate time where you can focus on the trial and not waste the limited time you may have. 

4. Outsource: outsource all the work to a professional who can recommend, research, and trial programs for you, based on your needs and budget. 

Building a beautiful ecosystem of tech to support your business should always align with your business plan and goals, aiming to support you as you move into different phases of your business. As you grow and change, you may need to look at updating your systems and how they support you. This is when you will review your business plan, goals and perform a tech audit. 

If you’re at the point of outsourcing, check out how my services can support you.