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Streamlining Your Business with Software
Solutions
Helping Businesses
Grow & Succeed
Portland Community College
1. How to identify business areas ripe for software applications
2. Software solutions for common problem areas
3. How to implement software solutions successfully
LET’S GET STARTED…
IDENTIFY
WHAT’S YOUR END GAME?
• Automation• Reduce steps• Eliminate redundancy• Transparent communication• Foster collaboration
• Repetitive (e.g. sending reminders)• Administrative (e.g. scheduling
appointments)• Involves multiple people (e.g.
account management)
WHERE TO LOOK FIRST
MAP IT OUT
Example
Send email Client emails back
Send confirmation
Send reminder
YOUR TURN
• What can be automated?• What are things people do that could
be done by technology?• What are the most time-consuming,
frustrating processes?• What processes are fit for a software
solution?
TOOLS
*Please note the SBDC is not endorsing these companies.
• Appointments• Employees• Meetings• Tracking
TIME MANAGEMENT
Search: online appointment schedulingAppointment.comStarting at $8.25/month
Search: online employee schedulingShiftPlanning.comStarting at $35/month
Search: meeting schedulerDoodle.comStarting at free
Search: time tracking softwareToggl.comStarting at free
• Templates– Gmail: Canned Responses– Outlook: Templates
• Snooze• Reminders• Communication
EMAIL MANAGEMENT
Search: snooze emailStreak.comStarting at free
Search: schedule email remindersSendRecurring.comStarting at free
Search: email marketingMailChimp.comStarting at free
• Communication all in one place• Keep track of status and details
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Search: project management Asana.comStarting at free
Search: project management Trello.comStarting at free
• Organize receipts• Alternatives to QuickBooks– FreshBooks–Wave (waveapps.com)
ACCOUNTING
Search: receipt organization appShoeboxed.comStarting at free
• Available anywhere– Dropbox.com– Box.com
• Collaboration on documents– Google Drive– OneDrive
DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT
• Inventory management• Customer relationship management• Sales management• Voicemail• Shipping management• Marketing automation• Social media • Content management• And more…
Other areas
• Capterra: www.capterra.com• Review lists• Ask your peers• Look up integrations on popular
software solutions like: Hubspot, Freshbooks, MailChimp, SurveyMonkey
Other resources
• Mobile/Native apps• Security• Customization• In House vs. Outsourced
Customization• Up time• Integrations• Support and Documentation
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
IMPLEMENT
1. Get the whole team on board2. Identify business area to improve3. Determine the goal(s) to achieve4. Try 1 solution at a time5. Factor in time for training and change
management6. Commit for 30 days or at least the trial
period7. Evaluate results after trial
IMPLEMENT FOR SUCCESS
• Identify goals and needs• Choosing the right software solution• Implement for success
RECAP
Business Advising + Business Education= Thriving Business
In 2014, we worked with 750 businesses.
Join us at an upcoming free OrientationBizCenter.org/PCC
ABOUT US
• Small Business Builders: April 8th
• Retail Small Business Management: April 20th
• Small Business Management: TBA
UPCOMING AT WILLOW CREEK CENTER
Oregon Small Business Development Center Portland Community College
971-722-5080 | sbdc@pcc.edu | www.bizcenter.org/PCC
PCC CLIMB Center for Advancement
1626 SE Water Ave, Suite 310Portland, OR
PCC Willow Creek Center241 SW Edgeway Drive
Beaverton, OR
PCC SE Campus2305 SE 82nd and Division
Portland, OR
2014 Recipient of SBA’s Region 10 SBDC in Excellence and Innovation
The Portland Community College Small Business Development Center has helped thousands of businesses over the past 30 years. We combine one-on-one advising with programs taught by business experts, giving our clients the resources they need to grow their businesses. In 2014 we worked with over 700 small business owners, trained over 1,500 clients in a wide range of courses, and celebrated many successes. We'd love to celebrate your success.
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