Selecting the right software for your business is like choosing an outfit that fits your unique body type. Just because something looks great on someone else doesn’t mean it will work for you. Every business is unique, and you need to choose the system(s) that will best suit your specific needs and processes.
Understanding the Complexity of Software Selection
Choosing the right software is challenging—you’re not imagining it. It’s a big purchase, involving multiple buyers and stakeholders in the decision-making process, making consensus difficult to achieve.
Software selection isn’t a “please yourself” kind of purchase. It requires input from various people in the business to understand what you’re choosing, where the strengths and gaps are, and how you’ll address those gaps to make the software work for you.
Sometimes we deceive ourselves into thinking that if we don’t decide, someone else will, or we can rely solely on external recommendations. While seeking expert advice is valuable, the decision should always be yours. Your team will work with the software, so they need to have some skin in the game when it comes to making the selection.
Outsourcing recommendations to an external party may seem like a good way to make an informed decision, but if you don’t engage deeply in this process, you’ll end up with something that doesn’t fit. Your business processes and ways of working are as important as the software itself. On its own, a system doesn’t ‘do’ anything. The way you work with suppliers, team members, and various stakeholders throughout your supply chain needs to be considered.
Overcoming the Challenges of Software Implementation
A study shows that software purchasing involves at least six different stakeholder groups, including end users, senior managers, IT managers, procurement managers, financial managers, and legal officers. This complexity adds to the challenge of choosing the right system.
Moreover, not all reasons for choosing software are based on functional needs. For example, while security might not be the first consideration, it becomes a priority for many businesses, especially after recent data breaches in Australia. This is an important aspect to keep in mind when evaluating potential solutions.
Sometimes, a software upgrade or reimplementation is seen as a ‘grudge’ purchase, a situation where the customer feels they are ‘forced’ to pay for an upgrade to a system they are currently relying on. It’s hard to feel good about a ‘have to’ rather than a choice, which underscores the need for careful selection and engagement from the outset.
Lessons Learned: A Real-World Example of Software Selection
Some time ago, I had an experience that highlighted the importance of choosing software with active engagement. I was excited to work with a new, innovative business that had grown rapidly from an online startup to a company with print houses, production facilities, and design teams. They had outgrown Excel, which they had been relying on to manage their complex operations and needed an ERP system. The operations lead connected with us to manage this project.
The project’s purpose was to bring every process into a cohesive system, and initially, the operations lead seemed to have a clear mandate. But as the project progressed, it became clear that the business owner had somewhat abdicated their leadership role. They expected to receive a ‘working system’ with minimal engagement on their part.
This is not a recipe for success. This mismatch of expectations was one of the most challenging customer engagements I’ve experienced. The key takeaway was that if a project sponsor has unrealistic expectations about receiving a working system without significant effort on their part, it’s better to pause and educate before moving forward.
Ensuring Your Software Fits Your Business Needs
Choosing the right software is a complex, multi-faceted process that requires active engagement from all stakeholders. It’s not just about finding the best technical fit, but also about ensuring that the system aligns with your business processes and ways of working. Engage deeply, consult widely, and remember: the right software should fit your business as well as the right outfit fits your body.
Ready to find the perfect software fit for your business? Contact 6R Retail today to learn how our expertise in system implementation and business improvement can help you choose the right solution and achieve your strategic objectives. Let’s ensure your software investment is a perfect fit for your unique business needs