For direct selling companies, selecting a software provider is much like selecting
a spouse. Just as you shouldn’t select a mate based
on how quickly he or she will marry you, timeliness is
not the primary factor to be considered when
purchasing software.
It is definitely better to choose a software company
carefully than to make your choice for the
wrong reasons.
Making a decision on the purchase or use of
software for a direct selling or network marketing
company can be a difficult process.
Direct selling software can be used to reduce
your administrative costs and to provide the home office
and the sales force with the tools to better manage their businesses.
Each business is unique with specific
requirements that should be considered when
evaluating software vendors and their products.
The better job you do in identifying your requirements,
the better your software company will understand your needs
and meet them.
Your greatest negotiating ability is before you become
a client.
Some companies choose a vendor based on how
quickly they can implement a system, assuming all
vendors offer the same service and the same
product. These are incorrect assumptions.
On the surface, direct selling software companies can look alike, but each
has its strengths and weaknesses that are not readily
apparent.
For a marriage to work well and last, both parties
need to understand how each other thinks. The same
logic applies for the client/software provider relationship.
Your investment in direct selling software is much like the
purchase of an automobile that you plan to use for many years. However, there is
no "Consumer Reports" for direct selling software. For many, it is buyer beware.
Companies who add a qualified consulting firm to their software evaluation team
gain many strategic advantages.
A consultant with previous software company employment who is familiar with software
providers can explain the differences among them while helping to identify what is
most important to the purchaser.
Even more important, a consultant can communicate your requirements clearly to prospective
suppliers and teach you how to be a good software client.
We can even help you to negotiate the terms of your agreement with a software company. As we
accept no money for referring clients to software companies, our recommendations are unbiased.
For information on our software consulting services, contact Jay at Sylvina Consulting at 503.244.8787.
