Human beings have had a longstanding relationship with data. The first computerised spreadsheet programme (Visicalc 1979, for those who remember) pioneered a day and age we still exist in. It's a real concern that in 2020, age-old software like Excel continues to dominate its hold on our data, and our desire to make better decisions with it.
But here's why endless spreadsheets could actually be preventing a healthy relationship with data.
Too many columns, not enough time.
You're proactive with your trade business. You want everything organised, structured, monitored. But why do it yourself when time is money? There's solutions out there that are inexpensive, reliable and fast. Ones that could help you keep track of everything you spend, every operative in the field, every invoice and every payment. All in real-time, whilst you're out and about. Never another VLOOKUP or pivot table getting in the way. Which brings us to...Jack of all trades, master of none.
Spreadsheets are powerful tools in the hands of an accountant, but if you're struggling with formatting and principle rules, you're pulling focus away from your strengths. For growing companies that don't have dedicated accounts departments, and need to keep their efforts on winning new work, spreadsheets can be a double-edged sword. We advise all contractors using our platform to focus on winning work with us — from large housing providers like Notting Hill Genesis and Peabody — while we handle the rest.
Let the right software worry about creating and storing invoices, maintaining your wallet and tracking every stage of your interaction with a client.No more taking two steps back.
Reconciling data is its own beast — made worse when you're using valuable time to rectify data-related issues. It won't be budgeted, or go on your timesheet, but this time's a hidden cost to contend with — when all you really want is useful, accurate and secure data to achieve business growth.
Don't let your growing relationship with data, or your historic relationship with spreadsheets, prevent you from working on your terms and achieving the success your business deserves.
Plentific's platform provides a single place to win, manage and report on work with leading property partners. In terms of growth, we've helped trade businesses to expand from one van to ten using the exclusive work they win on our platform. We're also hard at work on a way for you to import your own jobs in, so you can manage timelines, capacity and cut down on all the admin keeping you from growth.