It Happens When Decisions are Driven by Bumper Stickers
Just Do It. | That was Easy. | No Pain, No Gain. | Greatness Awaits. | The Best or Nothing. (credit to the company for each tag at the end of the article)
How about … K.I.S.S. Keep it Simple Stupid. OR Everything in Moderation?
On the surface, there’s a value in each of these quotes; however, “a mile wide and an inch deep” isn’t the compliment with which I’d want to be associated, especially when it comes to the process used to make business decisions I see, on a regular basis.
Attention decision makers ... are some of your most comprehensive business decisions being made with a bumper-sticker-mentality?
For a deeper understanding of issues, positions, liabilities and opportunities, dedicate the time it takes to review, ingest and compare multiple options, to avoid confirmation bias.
For long term success, dig past the corporate taglines, the infographics, the one-line testimonials.
And yet, when it comes to business experience with senior management and decision makers, the initial response is often …
Who has the time?
Perhaps if you don’t have the time, then maybe that particular issue you’re looking to address, isn’t relevant enough to your success, to handle on your own, or delegate to trusted staff.
Specifically, when it comes to many software (SaaS) decisions, decisions that involve such drastic changes culture changes like a CRM solution, you may consider:
- Doing an onsite visit with a user, with your same scope of business
- Assigning prioritization “values” on a scale of 1-10 of needs/wants, so as to not be ‘swayed’ by bells & whistles
- Assign responsibilities prior to the decision, as to whom at the business, is responsible for items like:
- Data Mining
- Reporting
- Usage/Compliance
etc.
So if it’s not a “fight or flight” situation … if the decision impacts an integral part of your business model, either short-term or even as a projection into the next year, then why wouldn’t you plan to spend the time necessary to educate yourself on the product/service versus the “go with your gut” decision making option?
If you’re still asking yourself how you’ll find the time, then using the services of a qualified consultant could be the answer to making an educated decision.
In effect, I’m suggesting you measure much more than twice, before making your cut. With so many resources available online and in your local market, your next business purchasing decision (whether it’s an employee or a new software platform) should be less about luck and more about skill.
Tagline Credits: Nike, Staples, Many Personal Trainers (but not me), Sony PlayStation 4, Mercedes Benz
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Shawn M. Ramsey
Area Vice President ... Software as a Service (SaaS)
20 years automotive – Retail, OEM supplier, Vendor