Business Software, are you maximising its potential?

Software can be expensive; no two ways about it. How much did you spend on installing the latest software in your office? How many times have you used it? My guess is not as much as you could have been.

When installing new software in your office, it may not be sufficient to just read the instructions, it may be that you need some help with working out how to use it to its full potential and make sure you get the best out of it for your organisation.

There are many one or half day training courses based around a number of various software packages.

It is vital that you and your colleagues all know what the software is for, how to use it and how to maximise its value. I know you may be thinking ‘but that’s even more money!’ But how much money will you be saving in the long run? If you purchase an item of software for a number of PCs (or Macs if that’s your thing!) then the bill could have been pretty hefty. Three quarters of your team probably don’t know how to use it or why they need it and the other half may only use it once for the task in hand and then forget about it.

The point I am trying to make is that without full training, purchasing software may be a colossal waste of money. It needs to be used to its full capacity to be worth its ROI. Given the old joke that men won’t read instructions or ask for directions the majority may not see training as necessary (or admit they need it!) when installing new software in the office. Look at it from an ROI point of view, you want to exploit this software, you’ve just forked out X amount on installing it and you need to use it as often as you can to your advantage to make it worthwhile. If your staff don’t know how to use it or when to use it or even why they should be using it, then your investment isn’t worth its while.

Training doesn’t have to be expensive, many of the sales representatives are highly trained in the software and will be able to provide a short training course on how to use said software. They may offer an all-in price when purchasing. Alternatively search out your local expert – ask for a few hours of his time. If you don’t want to pay hard cash, offer a skill share – if they train your staff for half a day you will give them half a day of your services at no cost. Then the hours can be spread out and the cost doesn’t seem as hefty.

At Harley Grove we offer installation and full training on all of the software we provide – making sure that you get the best out of the purchase, and your organisation reaps the benefits.

Why it’s best not to ‘just Google it!’

Ever felt poorly and used the internet to try and diagnose yourself? Your search brings up 10,0000 results and the first two pages of information tell you twenty different things! And 99% of them are life threatening, when really you’ve just got a cold!?

Well, who is really in the best position to offer you medical advice, the internet and Google or a doctor? Clearly – it’s a doctor but time and time again we use the internet to research and make important decisions.

We all know Google will throw us answers based on a company's SEO; these companies have done extensive research into the key words that people are searching for in the search engines, they have spent a lot of money with Google AdWords and high profile SEO companies to get you to view these webpages.

The same applies when searching for software programmes online. You can ask Google as many questions as you like but its answers will only be based on the quality of the brand’s SEO. You can search through forums and blogs surrounding the topic but you won’t find tailor made advice.

By asking a consultant which software is the best option for your office he can then ask you questions in return (Google cannot do that, can it!?) to figure out what really is the best option for YOU. He can talk you through prices, installation, which package is the best for your needs and more. A consultant will always find out what is best for you, whereas Google will answer you based on who has paid them the most money through AdWords!!!

A Consultant will take the time to talk to you and learn about what you need as a business, he will talk to you face to face and offer tailor made advice. Google will just churn out the same answers as it has to the 1000s before you who have put the same questions into the popular search engines.

You wouldn’t use the internet to make other important decisions in your business; you wouldn’t ask Google who you should employ or if you should focus your businesses into a certain market, so why use it to make other business decisions?

You would ask professional opinion before making large purchases so why take risk of accepting internet advice for business software, when there is professional opinion readily available at the other end of the phone?

If you're looking for advice on cashflow or accounting software, paperless office help or CRM software, then we're here to help – why not post your questions in the comment box below, or drop us a line

How Credit Control Software Could Save Your Business

Imagine 2 scenarios:

Same client, same relationship. Except that every time he calls you log into your credit control software that tells you exactly how much he owes you, how overdue it is and how good he is at paying you. You gently remind him you can't do any more work until the last invoice is settled, and he pays up happily, as it's only a small amount.

photo credit: alancleaver_2000