Technology is becoming simpler and more easily accessible.

Whilst this is at large a good thing, there are pitfalls to this.

Most businesses seek technology solutions as the answer to a business problem.

Anyone can use Google to research technology solutions, and many modern businesses do this and also implement the solution on their own without a solid selection and digital transformation process.

The result is that they set themselves up to fail, and the following things can happen:

- the technology isn't implemented successfully
- the technology doesn't get used to its fullest potential
- the team are often not trained in the new technology
- once implemented the business realises there are key things it doesn't do
- if it's an app, it may not talk to other core apps in their business

Common Google searches might include:

- What is the best CRM?
- How can I best manage my emails?
- What is the best Antivirus?
- Which is better, Google Workspace or Microsoft 365?
- Should I use Windows or Mac?

These questions might sound familiar to you. You have probably asked at least one of them yourself.

The truth is, these are the wrong kind of questions to ask.

Hear me out.

As I often say, technology is no silver bullet.

If you ever find yourself asking this sort of question, I challenge you to go higher upstream. Or, as I like to call it, what's the 50,000 ft/m question?

What is the actual business problem you're trying to solve? Is it actually a technology problem, or could it be a process problem?

Technology is not going to fix a bad or missing system or process. In fact, without solid underlying processes in your business, your technology will just amplify your frustrations and pain.

Always start with your people in mind first, then the systems and processes before adding technology.

Once you've reviewed and refined your processes, it will be much easier to evaluate what technology will best fit into your business, rather than trying to fit your business around the technology.

So what's the best CRM?

Some better questions to ask might be:

- What do I want/need a CRM to do for my business?
- Do I need it just for customer relationship management or do I want to run campaigns? Or both?
- What features are must-haves/would be nice, but not essential?
- What missing feature would be a deal-breaker?
- Does it integrate well into my existing apps and email?
- Do I have a solid underlying process for managing clients right now?
- If I want to run campaigns, do I have a clear marketing plan in place?

And perhaps the best question of all:

Is this the most important thing I should be focusing on right now?

Or put another way:

Will it make the boat go faster? (Bonus video in the comments)

Are you asking the right questions before implementing technology into your business?