5 Telltale Signs Your Tech ‘Solutions’ Are Working Against You

Technology is a key component of any modern business plan, but too often it is implemented before it is properly evaluated. I have participated in countless forums where people proclaim, “If you want to be successful, you need to use .” But in reality, technology is an extension of your business, not some cookie-cutter guide written by someone else to replicate what’s already being done.

Sure, following someone’s guidance can help cut down on some of the decision-making steps when you’re starting out, but once your company or organization is established, it may not be the best strategy. So I’m not here to tell you which technology to use, because I think the process of choosing the right one is complex and different for each user. You can and should be happy with the system you invest in.

There are some signs that indicate your partner is no longer supporting you as much as they should.

1. It takes too long to set up and fix

It’s so easy to find yourself working late into the night, missing out on events, spending less time with loved ones, and instead sitting in front of your computer frustrated and banging your head against the wall. Eventually, you might only get to the point where “enough” is enough and that’s it.

The adage that “fighting with technology is part of the business” just isn’t true — or at least, it shouldn’t be. Those late-night sessions when inspiration strikes may be productive, but they should end with a feeling of victory, not compromise.

Related: How to Choose the Best Technology for Your Startup

2. Relying on outsiders to coordinate

It’s common for people to ask friends or family to help with their tech setup because they’re “really good at this.” The problem is, this approach can easily put you in a situation where someone else is running your business. Not feeling confident enough to dive into your own digital tools or having stressful conversations with the help desk because you have no one to turn to isn’t going to cut it.

3. The client becomes aware of the problem

If you’re an entrepreneur, your clients are usually understanding. They know you wear multiple hats and that technology can be tricky. But fundamentally, they want your services, and a tool that doesn’t support them gets in the way and affects the relationship. Your problems should never become your client’s problems.

Related: Small business owners, don’t shy away from technology. Embrace it. Here are five strategies to help you succeed.

4. Prevent your own apps from opening

There are many reasons why people might not want to open an app: a strange color scheme, a non-intuitive UX (for example, having to refer to a help page to perform everyday tasks, frequent glitches, etc.) This should not happen with a digital service.

5. It’s not fun

Not everyone loves technology as much as I do, but your technology should feel “automatic” — that is, you benefit from it with effort — that it supports you and you feel empowered by it, not fatigued. If you don’t have that happy feeling, it means you have a significant problem to address.

But be careful: if you’ve experienced any or all of the above, don’t run out to invest in new software because the right technology might not have been built for you yet, or you might not be cut out for it. As any entrepreneur knows, knowing your target audience is key. The same applies to technology: no technology is designed for absolutely everyone, even if it has the most and best reviews.

Related: Which software solution is best for your business? Here’s how to decide.

Some factors to consider when assessing your needs:

set a goal: The first step is to clarify your business goals and intent, which is a powerful force when implementing support software or any other solution. From monthly costs to ease of use, it’s important to understand your unique needs before investing in tools that can truly help (and never hinder) your business.

If you want to grow and scale, you need software that can handle changes in the size and complexity of your data and can accommodate more clients in different ways. If your budget doesn’t allow you to purchase a solution that can scale in this way, understand your transition points and consider your technology goals to better align with how you will migrate to a new system accordingly.

stock: Once you have a clear goal, go through each app you use and write down how it helps you reach that goal. dislike We’ll describe them along with their subscription costs and the effort required. This process will reveal the value of each individual tool and the current state of your technology stack. It will also help uncover gaps and opportunities.

alignment: In the words of professional organizer and consultant Marie Kondo, your digital tools should “spark joy.” This doesn’t mean they have to be 100% perfect, but essentially, they should make your life easier, not harder. Consider whether you can master, optimize, or downsize your digital tools, or whether it’s time to replace them with new ones.

Related: 5 tech tools to impress your coworkers and neighbors this summer

Following this assessment framework will help you work more productively, avoid stress, increase productivity, regain focus, and enjoy your work more. The right choice will reflect your values, be easy to use, grow with you, provide a clear ROI, and work well with your other systems.