There’s one thing you need to know about apps to know, and I’m not even going to make you read this entire article to learn what it is.
The one thing you need to know about apps to know is that you don’t need to know every single app.
I see similar comments in my Facebook Group, at least once a week: “I don’t know how you keep up with these apps!” or “I don’t have time to learn all of these new apps!”, or sometimes it’s about the pressure to keep track of them all. I want to tell you: you don’t have to keep up or learn them all. You especially shouldn’t feel pressure to keep track of them!
Yes, it’s a great idea to either decide that you’re accounting or consulting practice is going to support a specific group of apps to use with your clients, or do be familiar enough with a variety of them in order to make the best recommendation for a specific client’s needs.
The one thing you need to know about apps isn’t that you should know every one of them that’s out there. I think what’s more important is knowing how to:
- Find new apps. Whether you’re checking apps.com or you have a Google alert set for “new business apps” doesn’t matter. The fact is, you have a good idea of how to find an app when you need one
- Read reviews. Google that shit. Seriously, the first thing I do when I find out about a new app is head to The Googler and look for reviews. Read as many as you can find. If you belong to an online forum or group, ask the other members. Or join one so you can ask.
- Test new apps. If you do find a new app, you should have an idea of how to test them. If you’re looking for something to connect with your accounting software, I have a course that I wrote and presented a while back on how to do just this.
The one thing you need to know about apps is that you shouldn’t be an expert in all of them… expertise takes time, and you may not have that time to take away from your business.
The one thing you need to know about apps is that you don’t have to be an expert in all of them.
You should know enough about apps to be able to explain what they do and how your business or your clients’ business will benefit. Example: I love Knowify, but am nowhere near an expert – totally at a beginner level – but I can speak to what it does, I know what clients for which it might be a good fit; I know that it has a great support and they will help with on boarding.
For me finding new apps is a hobby. I happen to really enjoy finding a new app, taking it for a spin and seeing what it can do. It’s even more fun if it’s fantastic and amazing and I love it.
There’s enough pressure out there for us, as business owners, without feeling like you’re behind on something just because you haven’t heard about some new business app.
Love this Stacy! Great point – we don’t need to be an “expert” in all the apps. I typically reach out in your FB group and ask for reviews and comments that others have tried. We don’t need to make ourselves crazy with knowing ALL the apps! Perfect.
Thanks! I could tell people were feeling some pressure to have to know ALL of them.
At least just a couple to make recommendations, or a couple people that know them really well 🙂
-StacyK
It sure can be overwhelming—seems like I am hearing of a new app almost every day! Being a part of a group where there’s a lot of app talk is a big help! We are all doing the research together 🙂
I love the members, and feel so lucky to be a part of it and admin that group!
I learn something new almost every time I login and read through the discussions.
If anyone is interested in joining, you can request here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BWAMandAREX
-StacyK
Great points. It is so easy to get paralyzed as there are so many Apps available today for both personal or business use. The Facebook Community is so supportive and provides a lot of great feedback. Thanks Stacy for providing this resource at https://www.facebook.com/groups/BWAMandAREX
And thank YOU Karen, for making such a great app. I love Transaction Pro Importer!
You’re such a great help in that group, too!
-StacyK
Stacy, You’re spot-on! I would also add: The client’s expectations include two things: (1) You have their back in doing the research (which they WILL pay for – because your providing aspirin for a headache) and (2) Are you open to their own potential software picks? (which of course, will include NEW apps that you never heard of, so they knowingly pay you to learn it and assist with implementation – because your THE implementation guru 🙂
Exactly! Thanks for the comment, Dawn!
-StacyK
Alright, so you didn’t hear this from me, but I’m both the newest hire and youngest employee at my particular firm, and I’ve had this conversation a LOT lately. Honest to goodness, I’ve found that finding one or two apps you like (that can work for a lot of situations, as obviously not every accounting problem can be handled the same way) can save you a lot of time and prevent you having to keep trying every single program or phone app that comes along. A lot of people I work with think you have to learn every single program that comes up, and while there’s something to be said for keeping up on the technology curve there is a lot of value in just learning one software suite really well (Intuit or whatever) and sticking with it until you’re ready to branch out.
But hey, I’m one of those damn millenials, what do I know?
Hey, I’m one of those damned GenXers, and I agree!
-StacyK
I like your input stacy. I usually like to test the product but only use the apps that most benefit to me and then master them
Great advice, thanks for the comment!
-StacyK