Small Business article by Sheila Shanker via The Houston Chronicle – http://smallbusiness.chron.com/compare-accounting-software-small-business-853.html
I came across this article recently and found it of value. The four steps that Ms. Shanker outlines are spot on. It’s not that there’s anything revolutionary within, but rather that she begins with the most important step – Make a list. Her four steps include – Make a list, Budget, Research & Compare, and Review & Test. Be sure to make special note of her advice to prioritize your list; great point! Note: You don’t have to share the priorities with software vendors.
I spoke this week at Greenlights for Nonprofit Success in Austin, TX. It was a rewarding experience. The attendees were responsive throughout and genuinely interested in becoming good stewards of their nonprofit resources – people and funding sources for sure. I’ll speak again next month with the Texas Society of Women Accountants. Although this audience will be quite different the content of the software search process remains essentially the same.
A number of folks I come across ask me, “So what types of software does Solution Explorers help organization’s search for?” My answer is…”it doesn’t really matter.” (relatively speaking) In fact, an organization this is looking to purchase a small business accounting software should follow the same core steps as the company that is exploring ERP software that impacts multiple divisions. In other words, Solution Explorers provides a disciplined process, as opposed to focusing on a specific type of solution. The core steps that Solution Explorers follows are outlines as:
- Discovery – Needs Analysis (internal discovery)
- Discovery – Solution Exploration (external discovery)
- Selection – Short list, Presentations, Negotiation, Decision
Please understand, many incremental steps occur before, in between, and even after these steps but regardless of the software your business is searching for the core steps remain the same. Whatever you do, however, don’t skip or even scale back the time and effort required to “make a list”; and I would add…documentation!
Additionally, have you considered audio and/or video recording the process? As you meet with your internal team I recommend documenting the process via audio and/or video. Why? Once you engage with software vendors the water can get muddy real quick. Therefore, by following this simple tip you will have documentation to refer to that will help keep the project on track and, possibly more important, keep you in control of the buying process.
Good luck with your search efforts. Contact us if we can be of service in any way.
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About Keith German