One of the great concerns that has surfaced for me in the last 10 years is the number of
So How Do We Go about the Accounting Software Selection Process?
Many authors have written about the software selection process. For accounting software, I’ve published a list on my K2 Enterprises website for years. The number of steps have changed, but the thought process has remained the same. Others have created entire products, such as Charles Chewning’s The Accounting Software Library, to use in the process. However, I’m reminded of the saying, “If the only tool you have is a hammer . . .” Why?
Many of you are among the best
The hammer saying has some background that’s fascinating that you can read on Wikipedia. Properly, the saying is called “the law of the instrument” or “Maslow’s hammer,” named after the popular psychologist who developed the hierarchy of human needs that many of you studied in psychology. The original statement made by philosopher Abraham Kaplan was, “I call it the law of the instrument, and it may be formulated as follows: Give a small boy a hammer, and he will find that everything he encounters needs pounding.” Maslow modified the statement by saying, “I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail.” The English expression “a Birmingham screwdriver,” meaning a hammer, references the habit of using the one tool for all purposes, and it predates both Kaplan and Maslow. And, what does that have to do with accounting selection? I think you already know.
Although QuickBooks Desktop is innovative and has made a huge difference in small business accounting, if you only have a hammer, you’ll treat everything as if it’s a nail. From my own experience in childhood, I’ve driven many a screw with a hammer when I didn’t have a screwdriver. The screws went into the wood with difficulty, were damaged along the way, and didn’t hold like a properly installed screw should. Do you have one tool – QuickBooks? Have you become the master of the work-around? Should you consider adding other tools to your toolbox?
That’s where the new generation of
Although, I don’t know the origin of another one of my favorite sayings, early on I learned from friend and coauthor of one my books, David Kroenke, that “ready, shoot, aim” is a sure way to shoot yourself in the foot! (For you programmers, more ways to shoot yourself in the foot as a little bonus here). So many projects are entered into without enough forethought today, I’m concerned that planning has become optional because of the pace we THINK we have to maintain. Slow down and THINK.
So What Are You Going To Do?
You don’t have to change your style of practice. However, if you’d like to be in more interesting business situations that leverage more of your knowledge and skills, you may want to consider how you’re doing your analysis. Instead of working to make a product fit, you may want to consider working to find the right product. This may require more listening, more
Category: Expert's Corner, For Consultants/Accountants, For Small Business Owners, Industry Solutions, QuickBooks Tips/Tricks, Randy's Tech Corner, Small/Midsized Businesses (SMBs), Success Tips, Technology/Trends, Xero