In the world of practice management, choosing the right software can be a daunting task. Sam Mitcham, of SJCM Accountancy, shares her top tips for making this critical decision in Practice Management Software - The Foundations of Your Practice.
1. Avoid Repetitive Software: Sam emphasised the importance of avoiding multiple pieces of software that perform similar functions. This not only leads to unnecessary costs but also creates confusion and inefficiency within the practice.
2. Keep Decisions Personal: Sam warns against getting swayed by external noise and emphasises the importance of trusting your gut feeling. She shares her own experience of switching practice management software due to external influence, which resulted in wasted time and resources.
3. Don't Seek Perfection: No software will tick all the boxes, and seeking perfection can lead to decision paralysis. Sam advises focusing on finding a software that works well for your practice, even if it isn't perfect.
4. Consider Scalability: The chosen software should be able to grow with your practice. It should work well not just for you, but also for your team as it expands. Sam stresses the importance of considering factors like task management, tracking, and individual user roles when assessing scalability.
5. Decide how much a future change scares you: It's important to consider how easy it would be to switch from the chosen software in the future. Sam suggests considering factors like data migration and client portal setup when making this decision.
6. Keep Decisions Personal: Sam warns against getting swayed by external noise and emphasises the importance of trusting your gut feeling. She shares her own experience of switching practice management software due to external influence, which resulted in wasted time and resources.
7. Involve Clients in Testing: Sam recommends involving clients in testing potential software. This provides valuable on-the-ground feedback and ensures that the software meets the needs of end users. Sam suggests involving clients in the software selection process. She recounts how she asked two clients to test a new practice management solution, providing valuable feedback on its functionality and user-friendliness. This approach ensures that the chosen software meets the needs of both the practice and its clients.
Choosing practice management software is a personal decision that should be based on your practice's unique needs and scalability requirements. By following Sam Mitcham's tips, you can navigate this decision with confidence and select a solution that will serve your practice well both now and in the future.
To watch the full session, please click here. Sam Mitcham covers the following topics during this session:
- Why is practice management software so important
- Choosing the correct software for your practice
- My top tips for navigating this decision
- Let’s talk about integrations
- Final thoughts on practice management software
The contents of this article are meant as a guide only and are not a substitute for professional advice. The author/s accept no responsibility for any action taken, or refrained from, as a result of the material contained in this document. Specific advice should be obtained before acting or refraining from acting, in connection with the matters dealt with in this article.
