How Better Software Can Win Customers
Whether it be through winning bids or B2B marketing, growing your customer base has always been a challenge. For many, economic circumstances fluctuate from year to year and it can be hard to difficult cash flow. You and your team do great work, and you have produced great results, so why isn’t securing new business a breeze?
Your success may be hindered by your current software. Here are two possible scenarios:
1. The Quality of Your Work is not Realizing its Full Potential.
This is by no means an indictment of you or your team’s knowledge, skill or expertise, but rather of the limitations posed by the software you’re using. Oftentimes, the limited functionality of programs like Excel constricts users in a way that prevents optimum outcomes. Excel can be a fantastic program with a wide range of applications. However, it wasn’t built with your field in mind. It simply has functional applications therein, creating a significant void in your results.
2. Prospects Have Difficulty Understanding Your Presentation.
Even if you’re completing work at an exemplary level, the presentation yielded by generic software may be able to provide visualizations that are understood by the experts at your firm, but the meaning or importance may be missed by the layman or client. If a client can’t understand the meaning of the data you present, or even worse, is unimpressed by the final output you create; they may be less inclined to sign on or accept your bid, despite the quality of your work.
If either of these scenarios resonate with you, it’s probably time to upgrade your software. But where exactly do you start? Such a monumental overhaul should not be taken lightly, and there are countless developers out there promoting shiny software with big claims and sleek marketing. Here are a couple of ideas to help you cut through the noise so you can perform your due diligence and make the transition with confidence
Questions to Ask When it is Time to Upgrade Your Software
Ask yourself, “Who designed this software?
- Software designed for graphing or mapping is often designed by large developers with a massive product mix for countless industries. This isn’t to say it isn’t great software, but in order to overcome the aforementioned obstacles, you’ll want something that was made with you in mind by people who understand your industry. Expand your research beyond the products themselves to include things like company history on the “About” section and employee backgrounds on the “Team” page. Does the company mission statement align with what you are searching for? Even read case studies to see if the software is already readily being applied in your field. You may find direct solutions to some of the job specific hurdles you’re experiencing now.
Seek out software with publication-ready results.
- Well-designed software options will feature a range of options for presenting data. This will remove many of the constraints you face while communicating with prospects by allowing you to easily integrate results into Microsoft Word documents or PowerPoint presentations. It will also equip you with a wealth of industry specification presentation options and formats to improve your internal communication and collaboration. The ability to customize data representation to suit purpose and audience can build credibility with prospects while allowing you to showcase your work in the best way possible.
If you have more questions about how graphing and mapping software can help build your customer base in geology, hydrology, construction, environmental services or any related industry, contact Golden Software today.
