Fact: You will only use tech tools effectively if they are intuitive to you.
That truth is the exact reason why there are countless types of tech tools out there, that perform the exact same process, and achieve the same end result. Everyone works differently, so having diverse options to choose from is extremely important. But… how do you begin the wonderful (and overwhelming) process of finding the right tech tools to implement for you?
Fact: It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.
Not only is it applicable to life, but it’s also equally applicable when choosing the tech tools in your business.
Step One: Simplifying what you already know.
Let’s say you know what you want to be able to see each project on a single card at a glance because you’re visual. The answer is to start with the options that you can see your projects on cards, or most closely with how you visually organize your tasks in mind.
If you work best when you can see the entirety of tasks in one place - your to-dos, your team’s progress, your client’s projects - literally everything, the tools that will support you most effectively are those that offer integration for teams and clients.
Step Two: Sign up for your platform!
But… don’t click on that payment button yet. I completely advocate that you sign up for the free trial first. Most every single tech tool available offers some length of free trial - would you buy a car sight-unseen without kicking the tires, testing all of the buttons and driving it to see how it handles with your skills? Unlikely. The same rule applies to your tech. Test it out, make sure you like the options and that you’re comfortable with how it handles. Does it not have the client integration you really wanted? What extra options that you didn’t plan on using would you actually use? Is the payment in your budget? Is the tool meeting your needs to make it worth your investment?
But! How will I know if it’s the right tech tool for me?! Easy. Do a Google search. Find as many examples of the tool being in use, screen shares, articles, reviews, and screenshots as possible. Is there a tool that you seem to use easier than the others? You intuitively know how to use it because it works parallel to the ways that you think? Or you want tasks filed away, so you see them when they’re active and in need of attention? Gathering as much information as possible and understanding the user experience of the platform and will lead you to narrow down and effectively find the best tech tool for you.
Step Three: Sacrifices.
Not my favorite, but yes there will be times when sacrifices need to be made.
When I search for a tech tool to meet a new or existing need, I have a list of wants that I like to see. I’m a report and data gal, I like to see my information displayed a certain way each month so that I am able to know where my time, money and goals are landing in order to correlate them against one another to understand productivity across the board.
And just as you change and expand in your practices and your business grows and morphs in size and needs, you’ll need to revisit your tech tools to be sure they’re growing with you and not against you. Get familiar with what you need, how you work best and where you need support. Once you have your needs down, the choosing will be easy - no matter how often you have to do it.