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Do you dread using your current software? Does it lack key features, integrations and reports that you need to successfully run your organization? Learn about when it's time to start looking for new software, and how to conduct a successful search. You will learn: • How to identify the signs that it's time to make a switch. • The importance to understanding the foundation you have now, and how to build on it for the future. • What to ask members, and how their needs should have an influence on your software selection. • Top questions to ask vendors, and what's even more imporant than the technology itself.
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By Chad Stewart
SmartThoughts @smartnonprofit
Top 10 tips to ensure Smart Software Selection Success!
www.smartthoughtssolutions.com
#softwareselection
When do you know it's time?
Before your mad as hell, the signs
Dread using
Help is your friend
Not everyone using
Disparate systems
Spreadsheets mania
Not updated
Can't segment
Can't integrate
Can't report
Learn MoreOpen Here
Before you jump in to the Search, youneed to.....
Top Tips for a Smart SoftwareSelection Search
1. Look at yourself in themirror!
Strategy
Vision
Requirements
1. Look at yourself in themirror!
2. What does the foundation ofyour house look like?
Infrastructure Overall
Integration Requirements
Cloud vs. On Premise
2. What does the foundation ofyour house look like?
Data Quality
Staff Resources
3. Don't forget how you pay thebills! Money is everything.
Know your processes
Know the level ofintegration with GL
Cash or Accrual? Ask.
3. Don't forget how you pay thebills!
4. Survey your Members Needs!
4. Survey your Members Needs!
Services you provide
Membership Structure andTypes? Calculations? Document!
Use with Vendors to show!
5. Look at Attendee Experience!
Services you provide
Membership Structure andTypes? Calculations?
Document!
5. Look at Attendee Experience!
How critical are events toyou? Don't settle.
Do you have special needs?
How complex? Abstracts?Mobile Applications?
Gamification? What do youuse now?
6. Support is the key to success!
Website CMS, Email, Blog,Forums, Mobile?
What tools can bereplaced?
6. Support is the key to success!
Equally as important astechnology!
Call references
Other options? Partners?
6. How do you communicate?
Services you provide
Membership Structure andTypes? Calculations?
Document!
How critical are events toyou? Don't settle.
Do you have special needs?
6. How do you communicate?
Website CMS, Email, Blog,Forums, Mobile?
What tools can bereplaced?
Segmentation and Search!
8. What is the budget short andlong term?
8. What is the budget short andlong term?
Software
Services
Staff Time? Training?
9. Go to the Community!
9. Go to the Community!
Like Minded
Review Sites
Caution: Your still unique.Not a silver bullet.
10. The Search
Find an expert nonprofit software consultant smartthoughts
10. The Search
Google is great but...
Time: Average search is 3 months
Resources: Experience andLeadership Required
Bonus: Don't do this! Remember!
Make it about Technology
Fall in Love with CoolDemo
Randomly Look at Demos
Buy on Price Alone
Forget to Call References
Test Support during Trial
Prepare your data formigration
You won't have changes
Bonus: Key Questions
What is included in price?Software/Service/Implenta
tion/Reports/Training
Are product updatesincluded, or must you
upgrade?
Where is the systemhosted? Is it a SaaS or
OnPremise?
Can I export data? CreateReports? Customize?
Does the system have anopen API?
Can you handle Accrualand Cash basis
accounting? Show me!
What is the retention ratewith your clients?
What happens atcancellations?
Schedule Call Today, Click Now!
@SmartNonprofit
www.smartthoughtssolutions.com
#SoftwareSelection
Now!
