Are You a Tech Avoider? Here's How to Embrace Business Software
Nervous about managing your business online? Design pros reveal how they made the move and why they haven't looked back
If you’ve relied on pen and paper since the day you launched your business or you use a variety of different online tools to keep things ticking along, it’s natural to feel cautious about switching to software that does it all. But embracing modern tools can save you serious time and hassle, freeing up hours so you can focus on other important things, such as the growth of your business. And it’s easier to use than you might think, as these design pros reveal.
“While learning something new can be scary at first, it can also be pivotal to improving your business,” says Hodgson. “The world is evolving and you don’t want to be left behind.
“Becoming comfortable with using tech will ultimately save you time and allow for better organisation. It can also improve the reputation of your business by providing a better experience for clients, which in the long run means you get better projects via word of mouth.”
Here’s how two design pros learnt to make tech part of their daily lives.
“Becoming comfortable with using tech will ultimately save you time and allow for better organisation. It can also improve the reputation of your business by providing a better experience for clients, which in the long run means you get better projects via word of mouth.”
Here’s how two design pros learnt to make tech part of their daily lives.
“I have incorporated Houzz Pro into 100 percent of my business now. And honestly, I can say I wouldn’t have launched so easily if it wasn’t for this platform,” says Allie Duval, interior designer and creative director at Coastal Hamptons Design Studio.
“It has taken the stress and pressure off the business side of things and enabled me to do what I do best – design beautiful spaces.”
“It has taken the stress and pressure off the business side of things and enabled me to do what I do best – design beautiful spaces.”
“From a design perspective, Houzz Pro has helped me work on clients’ projects from home during the current Covid restrictions,” says Duval. “The Product Clipper tool allows me to capture and store product images from Houzz and elsewhere, and the software lets me to manage projects all in one place.
“It has made launching my interior design business so much easier and given me tools that I would have had to organise myself, like invoicing, ideabooks and keeping everything to do with each project in one spot.”
“It has made launching my interior design business so much easier and given me tools that I would have had to organise myself, like invoicing, ideabooks and keeping everything to do with each project in one spot.”
“While there was a little trial and error using the software at first, like most things it helps to practice and then it quickly becomes a learnt skill. It hasn’t been hard to use at all,” she says.
“Designers traditionally like playing around with Mood Boards – personally I find it a lot of fun, and I did this a few times on Houzz Pro to learn what worked and what didn’t.
“I must admit it didn’t really feel like work as I really love learning how things can work for me.”
“Designers traditionally like playing around with Mood Boards – personally I find it a lot of fun, and I did this a few times on Houzz Pro to learn what worked and what didn’t.
“I must admit it didn’t really feel like work as I really love learning how things can work for me.”
“My favourite feature would have to be the Product Clipper tool and how easy it is to incorporate products into the digital Mood Boards. It just keeps it looking professional.”
“I actually studied IT at college, but tech moves too fast for me to keep up,” says Sarah Heyes, interior designer and decorator at Provoke Design. “But I could see that Houzz Po software would assist me in the growth that I needed for my business.
“Embracing tech is truly the only way to grow – I can’t see any other way. All my clients know who I am before I walk through the door because they have researched what and who they want ahead of time,” she says.
“Embracing tech is truly the only way to grow – I can’t see any other way. All my clients know who I am before I walk through the door because they have researched what and who they want ahead of time,” she says.
So how did Heyes get to grips with business software such as Houzz Pro and other programs? “For me, it’s about jumping in at the deep end and getting stuck in. If I make mistakes along the way, then I learn from them.
“Some aspects are very easy and straightforward. In fact, very enjoyable! However, other areas do need training and time to learn.”
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“Some aspects are very easy and straightforward. In fact, very enjoyable! However, other areas do need training and time to learn.”
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“I have just jumped on board with separate accounting software, which is a whole degree in itself to learn. We are also doing more virtual meetings and are big fans of social media for the business,” says Heyes.
“The Mood Boards are my favourite feature on Houzz Pro. You can create them in less than a minute and they bring such delight to the clients as the project comes together,” she says.
“The Mood Boards are my favourite feature on Houzz Pro. You can create them in less than a minute and they bring such delight to the clients as the project comes together,” she says.
Your turn
Were you hesitant to embrace tech – and what happened when you did? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, share it, save the images, and join the conversation.
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Were you hesitant to embrace tech – and what happened when you did? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, share it, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Read more stories for pros
“If and when they do decide to transition, they are nervous about making mistakes and not being able to fix them,” she says.