Small businesses must put emphasis on efficiency and growth to remain successful.
An effective way of doing this is through software solutions. However, with so many choices out there available to us it can be daunting trying to locate the appropriate piece of software.
Small Biz in 15 conducted an interview with Susan Clark, President and Owner of Cornerstone Solutions – a boutique firm which helps businesses use Zoho software to streamline operations – to shed more light on this subject. In this article we’ll look into Susan’s insights regarding selecting appropriate software solutions for small businesses as well as key considerations when selecting them.
Why Efficiency Matters
“To become an excellent company, it is necessary to address any inefficiencies which exist,” according to Susan.
Efficiency is the cornerstone of growth and success for small businesses, and Susan recognizes it as an essential ingredient to maximizing their growth and productivity through software solutions. Susan emphasizes the significance of software as the gateway to efficiency; through her experience consulting various businesses Susan believes finding the appropriate suite of applications essential.
Understanding Your Business Needs
Susan advises focusing on the motivations for making business decisions when selecting software.
“What should your primary motivations for choosing Zoho forms and survey be, or Zoho itself?” Being aware of your software choices is essential in making informed decisions about software purchases. Understanding their purpose will lead to better choices.
Susan’s approach at Cornerstone Solutions is focused on helping clients to identify why their software requirements exist and making informed decisions based on that knowledge. This dedication to understanding why makes her firm unique.
Cornerstone Solutions Provides Solutions to Multiple Industries
At Cornerstone Solutions, we work with an array of industries – healthcare, manufacturing, finance, business services and technical – across a wide variety of fields.
Susan reported that their clients range in size, from solopreneurs to companies with over 500 users. Their firm does not focus on serving one specific type of customer but instead provides assistance for anyone interested in improving their business operations.
Susan believes that all clients, no matter the size or industry, deserve equal consideration and support.
Susan offers several reasons for selecting Zoho over other software solutions when asked why she chose it.
First and foremost, Zoho provides an economical yet comprehensive suite of tools, making it an attractive solution for small businesses.
Zoho software is highly adaptable, enabling businesses to tailor it specifically for their own requirements. Susan also commends Zoho’s management team for understanding small to midsized business markets and their commitment to continual improvement.
Challenges Facing Small Businesses
Susan emphasizes the difficulty small businesses encounter when trying to understand everything they don’t know, which can often leave them baffled and confused. Entrepreneurs may initially prefer taking care of everything themselves; but eventually come to understand they need to prioritize their time and expertise appropriately.
Susan emphasizes that many of Cornerstone Solutions’ clients come to them because they no longer wish to devote the time and energy required for learning new technologies and software solutions themselves, seeking guidance instead in understanding their individual needs and selecting appropriate tools that can enhance operations.
Key Tools and Features
CRMs (Customer Relationship Management systems) have become essential tools for businesses of all types.
“CRM is at the core of any successful business,” states Susan.
Loss of customer information can be detrimental to a company’s success, and Zoho CRM stands out for its integration capabilities, connecting various aspects of operations within the same platform.
Susan also stresses the value of Zoho Books, an accounting and finance suite which offers insightful data about customer payment histories, outstanding invoices and credits.
Zoho Forms, Zoho Surveys, and Zoho One provide numerous applications designed to address business needs of all sizes.