Identify Unused Subscriptions
I can't tell you how many unused subscriptions and apps I find on my clients' expense sheets. With Tech Radar, you can easily upload all your current technologies and subscriptions, giving you a clear picture of where your money is going.
Organize Your Technologies
Once you have your list of apps and platforms, itβs time to organize them on the Tech Radar. The radar is divided into four quadrants: Collaboration, Data, Operations, and Productivity.
Collaboration: This includes all the tools you use for communication and teamwork, such as Gmail, Miro, Trello, Google Drive, etc.
Data: This quadrant is for where you store information, such as Excel sheets, Airtable, or other forms of databases.
Operations: For businesses not centered around software, this includes any technology that supports day-to-day activities, like check-in apps, route optimizers, or QuickBooks for invoicing.
Productivity: These are the technologies that directly contribute to generating revenue. For instance, if you run a postcard business, the software you use to design postcards (e.g., Adobe Illustrator) would fall under this category.
TIP: If you're evaluating the tech stack of a client's platform, consider creating a separate radar for their tech department.
Ongoing Review and Optimization
Reducing your tech spend isn't a one-time task. It's a continuous effort that requires regular review to understand where your money is going. Some clients prefer to meet about tech spending quarterly, but I recommend doing this every 2 to 4 months. Any longer, and people may not act on the savings or re-evaluate their tech.
How to Conduct Your Tech Review Ceremonies
Prepare the Tech Radar:
- Pull up your Tech Radar and review each piece of technology with your team.
Ask Key Questions:
- Are we maximizing this piece of tech?
- Are there other features we are not aware of?
- Can an account executive from the tech company come and upskill us?
- Are we under-utilizing it?
- Are there any better alternatives?
- Can we trial new tech?
Assign Responsibilities:
- Who will follow up?
- Who will act on implementation?
- When is the next review meeting?
Process Mapping
Having a Tech Radar is a stepping stone to creating your own process map. We conduct numerous process maps, which serve as visual aids to understand which tasks are manual, integrated, or have the potential for integration or automation. This further aids in streamlining operations and cutting unnecessary costs.
By following these steps and utilizing tools like Tech Radar, you can significantly reduce your tech spending and ensure that every dollar invested in technology is well spent.
