How to figure out what tools you need for your business
Running a business smoothly means having the right tools in your arsenal to keep things efficient, boost productivity, and keep your customers happy. But with so many options, figuring out which tools you actually need can feel like a daunting task. Don’t worry—I got you!
Here’s a quick guide of things to consider when deciding what will work best for your biz.
Understand Your Business Needs
First things first, take a good look at what your business needs. Ask yourself:
What are the core tasks and functions?
Where does the information need to flow from/to?
Which tasks take up way too much time OR are often overlooked?
Where are the biggest inefficiencies or bottlenecks?
Developing a process flow or even a mind map can be really helpful to figure out the above. By knowing exactly what your business needs, you can zero in on the tools that will be the most helpful.
Set Goals
What do you want to achieve? Are you looking to:
Boost productivity / save time?
Improve customer service?
Enhance communication and collaboration?
Streamline your finances?
Step up your marketing game?
Having clear goals will help you focus on the tools that align with your business vision.
Do Some Homework
Research is key. Look into various tools that meet your needs and goals. Check out:
User reviews and ratings
Features and functionalities
Integration with your existing systems
Pricing and plans (many small business owners get caught out here with implementing a new application only to find that they can’t do what they need unless they pay significantly more to upgrade)
User interface and ease of use
Comparing different tools will give you a better idea of which ones will work best for your business.
Think About the Future
Choose tools that can grow with your business. As your business expands, your needs will change, so it's important to pick tools that fit with your future vision. Look for customisable plans, add-ons, and the ability to handle more workload as needed.
Try Before You Buy
Most tools offer free trials or demo versions. Take advantage of these to test the tools in real-life situations. This will help you spot any issues and see if the tool meets your expectations.
Ask!
Chat to other business owners as they can share valuable insights from their experiences and hopefully help you avoid common mistakes. You could also consider online forums, networking events, and social media groups if you don’t have many business owners in your network. Ensure you speak to people who run similar businesses as yours, for example, your requirements as an online Health Coach are likely going to be very different from an Allied Health practitioner who works with clients face to face.
Consider Support and Training
If technology is not your forte, make sure you look at the support and training provided by the tool’s vendor. Good onboarding, clear documentation, and responsive customer support can make a huge difference in your experience and success.
Prioritise Integration
Make sure the tools you choose can easily integrate with your existing systems. Disconnected tools can create MORE work (instead of less) and lead to data silos.
Calculate the Costs
Evaluate the total cost, including subscription fees, implementation costs, and any additional expenses. Being mindful that you are fully aware of which package or plan you require based on your analysis above. Budgets can blow out quickly if we don’t fully understand what we require from a new platform.
Future Review
The business world is always changing, and so should your toolkit. Schedule a regular review to see how effective your tools are and stay open to new technologies and improvements that can enhance your business even more.
By following these steps, you can figure out which business tools are essential for your unique needs, ensuring that you invest in solutions that will help (rather than hinder) your business.
Need more help? Schedule a free Business Strategy Call.
