It’s 8AM, you get on your computer and work has begun. In just the span of a few minutes, you’ve more than likely already used several different apps.
When you really start thinking about all of the tools you use to accomplish your tasks throughout the day, that number can add up very quickly. This isn't too surprising when you consider that the number of available marketing tools have been steadily increasing each year. In 2007, there were roughly 500 marketing tools, but by 2017 that number had increased to 8,500.
Since these tools are becoming more frequent, businesses are utilizing more and more each year to optimize their workflow. However, keeping up with all of these apps can be a frustrating and overwhelming task. So how do we manage the rise of these tools and keep track of what we have and what we should use?
A good first rule of thumb is to organize the apps by the ones you use and the ones you don’t. Overtime, your business has probably collected dozens of apps that you don’t use anymore, which not only makes it complicated to use the right tool, but costs you more money than it should. On average, companies are wasting 37% of their software spend. This makes it clear that businesses end up taking in new tools without getting rid of the ones they’re essentially replacing.
Therefore, you should get with your team and figure out what apps can be removed. Solidifying a strong plan will go a long way, and help business operations run more efficiently. By deleting the unused apps your company doesn’t need to function anymore, you can get everyone on the same page and save yourself some money in the long run.
Speaking of getting everyone on the same page, it’s important to make sure everyone is utilizing the same apps across the board. Part of the endlessly growing collection of tools is because individuals adopt their own apps to use, and primarily work with those. Talk with your team to not only discuss unused apps, but to also talk about the ones you do use. If your team can have an open, honest discussion about what helps them complete their work, people will feel more comfortable talking about future ideas or tools that your team can use. Not only that, but being able to have a list of all your apps you do use is just a smart business move.
When you have an accurate idea of what your team uses, it’s easier to manage and keep track of payments, updates, files and more. This also means IT will be able to better protect those apps against viruses and hackers if they’re aware they’re being used in the workplace.
With all the tools you use, you’re probably wasting time switching between different apps to get your work done. In fact, nearly 70 percent of employees say they spend up to an hour per day navigating between apps. This can add up costs overtime, especially if projects aren’t getting completed.
A great way to keep all of your tools consolidated is by using an integration software, such as Desktop.com, to place all of your apps, links and more into one place. With Desktop.com, for example, you can import your apps and bookmarks into a single well-organized hub, get a clear overview of which apps to use when, as well as be able to collaborate instantly with team members via the in-app audio and video conferencing. All within the same centralized space.
Once you’ve decided on a selection of tools you want your business to use, make sure to set up times with the team to talk about them. This can be quarterly, monthly, yearly - whatever works best for you, but it’s important to know how the team continues to feel about the apps used. This also opens up discussion about new and improved apps that you can test out. Tip: Users of Desktop.com also get access to the integrated app store for web apps. This makes it easy to explore all the best web apps by category, and to add them to your own workspace with a single click.
If in your next meeting, someone finds an app that could function better than a different one, you can implement it into your toolbox and remove the unnecessary ones. That way every member of the team knows what's going on, and that there's not an abundance of apps being collected again. This also helps streamline the process of onboarding new tools and keeping everyone informed and engaged.
By following these simple steps, you’re on your way to being able to master the marketing tools at your disposal for optimal use. It’s a little intimidating when you have to remove a lot of apps, but your business will have a better chance at succeeding if you know what tools you should be using. So go ahead and give it a try!
Be sure to also check out Desktop.com for managing your marketing tools. Our service gives remote teams the ability to easily connect and collaborate on projects without any confusion.
