Making decisions about technology in your business can be overwhelming, especially if you lack a technical background. You can demystify tech stack decisions with the right framework and process
A recent client of ours needed to decide on software for a blended program involving in-person and virtual teaching.
As an automation service provider, part of what we do in our Million Dollar Systems retainer is help clients select tools that align with their requirements while also supporting their business for years to come.
In this blog post, we'll explore the key insights and strategies we discussed, providing valuable guidance for non-technical business owners facing similar decisions.
The Power of a Tech Hub: Demystify Tech Stack Decisions
The first step is always to document what software is currently being used in the business. For this we use Airtable, our favorite database tool.
In the Tech Hub we document the software currently being used as well as software that is being considered in the short and long term. I categorize the tools into Recommended (for immediate us) and Approved (for later use).
Airtable makes it easy to record things like pricing, website URL, affiliate links, ratings and notes.
Grouping different sets of tools makes it easy to see pricing on a monthly annual basis.
Next I add requirements in a separate tab grouped by Must Have, Nice to Have, and Optional. I connect the requirements to the tools that meet them so the client can see all the choices at a glance.
Using Puzzle.io to Visualize Processes and Simplify Decision Making
They say seeing is believing and when it comes to explaining complex technical processes to non-technical business owners, Puzzle is our new best friend.
Puzzle allows you to easily visualize systems and processes with a consistent visual language and connect each step to the relevant tool(s).
Moving boxes around is cheap- migrating software tools is expensive.
In this example, I was able to quickly show 5 different onboarding scenarios to the client and explain the pros and cons of each.
From an Overwhelming Array of Choices to Just a Few Options
You might be thinking you don't have time to take all these steps but with professional help, the process only takes a few days and it's well worth it for the clarity clients gain when making these decisions.
No technology is perfect, but by the time we finish reviewing the options, they have a better understanding of the trade-offs involved in each choice, considering factors such as client experience, flexibility, and ease of maintenance.
Your Software is Part of Your Team
Choosing the right tech stack for your business is crucial, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. By leveraging a tech hub, exploring options, visualizing processes, and narrowing down choices, even non-technical business owners can make informed decisions that align with their goals. Remember to consider factors like scalability, control, and ease of maintenance.
If you're struggling with your tech stack, book a Power Hour Consult to get our guidance in streamlining your workflows and automating processes efficiently.
Get Customized Advice from a Certified Automation Service Provider™
If your head is spinning from all these considerations, you can book a Power Hour and we'll talk through your current systems and your future goals to help design a tech stack that will work for your business now and in the future. You’ll meet with one of our Certified Automation Service Providers™ and then we’ll deliver a custom strategy based on where you are in your business as well as full list of recommended software to best execute your strategy now and in the future.
