Surely you want to get the most out of your software provider? In this week’s blog we’re sharing our top five tips to help you achieve this.
- Review your strategy
It’s not always easy to see the wood for the trees in your business when you’re working in it day in, day out, so use your relationship manager to help you undertake a sense check.
In other words, review where you’re at, the extent to which you’re achieving your goals and consider whether now’s the time to change, or perhaps revise, these goals.
Your relationship manager can provide a confidential, fresh set of eyes to help you find your way.
- Budget
Consider reviewing your budget as part of your strategy review. Of course, there may be elements of your finances that you’d prefer not to share with your relationship manager, but that doesn’t mean you can’t review elements of your budget such as your expenditure, particularly around your IT system.
Your relationship manager is perfectly placed to help you identify any system inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
- Identify training needs
Don’t worry if you identify areas for improvement; instead, acknowledge them and create an action plan for tackling them, starting with staff training.
Even the most efficient IT system is worthless without sufficiently-trained staff who know how best to use it, so chat to your account manager about your training needs and how best to address them.
- Explore new opportunities
Once you’re happy with your system and your team’s ability to use it, consider how the system can support new business opportunities.
Are you ready to expand into new business areas, or perhaps you’re considering a merger or acquisition?
Your relationship manager can help you chat through the implications for your IT system and identify ways in which to develop your set up to support your growth.
- Offer yourself up for trial
Software providers are often on the look out for agencies to offer themselves up as guinea pigs to trial new software developments and applications, so consider putting yourself forward as a willing participant.
It’s a great way to be first to learn about new market developments, as well as consider the growth potential for your own business.