Top 10 Tips for Smart Software Selection Success Before the Search
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Do you dread using your current software? Does it lack key features, integrations and reports that you need to successfully run your organization? Learn about when it's time to start looking for new software, and how to conduct a successful search. You will learn: • How to identify the signs that it's time to make a switch. • The importance to understanding the foundation you have now, and how to build on it for the future. • What to ask members, and how their needs should have an influence on your software selection. • Top questions to ask vendors, and what's even more imporant than the technology itself.
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Top 10 Tips for Smart Software Selection Success Before the Search
- 1. By Chad Stewart SmartThoughts @smartnonprofit Top 10 tips to ensure Smart Software Selection Success! www.smartthoughtssolutions.com #softwareselection
- 2. When do you know it's time?
- 3. Before your mad as hell, the signs Dread using Help is your friend Not everyone using Disparate systems Spreadsheets mania Not updated Can't segment Can't integrate Can't report
- 5. Before you jump in to the Search, you need to.....
- 6. Top Tips for a Smart Software Selection Search
- 7. 1. Look at yourself in the mirror!
- 8. Strategy Vision Requirements 1. Look at yourself in the mirror!
- 9. 2. What does the foundation of your house look like?
- 10. Infrastructure Overall Integration Requirements Cloud vs. On Premise 2. What does the foundation of your house look like? Data Quality Staff Resources
- 11. 3. Don't forget how you pay the bills! Money is everything.
- 12. Know your processes Know the level of integration with GL Cash or Accrual? Ask. 3. Don't forget how you pay the bills!
- 13. 4. Survey your Members Needs!
- 14. 4. Survey your Members Needs! Services you provide Membership Structure and Types? Calculations? Document! Use with Vendors to show!
- 15. 5. Look at Attendee Experience! Services you provide Membership Structure and Types? Calculations? Document!
- 16. 5. Look at Attendee Experience! How critical are events to you? Don't settle. Do you have special needs? How complex? Abstracts? Mobile Applications? Gamification? What do you use now?
- 17. 6. Support is the key to success! Website CMS, Email, Blog, Forums, Mobile? What tools can be replaced?
- 18. 6. Support is the key to success! Equally as important as technology! Call references Other options? Partners?
- 19. 6. How do you communicate? Services you provide Membership Structure and Types? Calculations? Document! How critical are events to you? Don't settle. Do you have special needs?
- 20. 6. How do you communicate? Website CMS, Email, Blog, Forums, Mobile? What tools can be replaced? Segmentation and Search!
- 21. 8. What is the budget short and long term?
- 22. 8. What is the budget short and long term? Software Services Staff Time? Training?
- 23. 9. Go to the Community!
- 24. 9. Go to the Community! Like Minded Review Sites Caution: Your still unique. Not a silver bullet.
- 25. 10. The Search Find an expert nonprofit software consultant smartthoughts
- 26. 10. The Search Google is great but... Time: Average search is 3 months Resources: Experience and Leadership Required
- 28. Bonus: Don't do this! Remember! Make it about Technology Fall in Love with Cool Demo Randomly Look at Demos Buy on Price Alone Forget to Call References Test Support during Trial Prepare your data for migration You won't have changes
- 29. Bonus: Key Questions What is included in price? Software/Service/Implenta tion/Reports/Training Are product updates included, or must you upgrade? Where is the system hosted? Is it a SaaS or OnPremise? Can I export data? Create Reports? Customize? Does the system have an open API? Can you handle Accrual and Cash basis accounting? Show me! What is the retention rate with your clients? What happens at cancellations? Schedule Call Today, Click Now!