As a rule, company decision-makers aim to do business with those they like and trust. The issue of trust encompasses a sense of honesty, ability to deliver on commitments, and security.
A bad economy tends to exacerbate problems in trust areas. Normally reliable companies may react fearfully, and unpredictably, in turn driving dishonesty to cover up both actual and perceived weaknesses.
Also, faltering financial strength can render companies incapable of following through on their commitments.
Companies concerned about cash flow may settle for more elementary online security protection—potentially exposing confidential client data to intruders.
How can you help create and maintain trust in these challenging times? One “bedrock” showpiece that establishes trustworthiness can be your accounting system software. Here’s why:
1. Accounting software that meets—or optimally exceeds—established norms helps reassure a prospective client that you mean business, and mean to stay in business. The fact that you’ve invested in top-drawer accounting system software makes a statement about your company being first class and committed to first-class infrastructure.
You may be wise to consider buying software more advanced than currently needed—a system to “grow into” as your company expands. So, instead of QuickBooks® or QuickBooks upgrade, de facto choices of many small businesses (and therefore not particularly noteworthy), consider such mid-market accounting solutions as Microsoft Dynamics GP or SL.
In addition to providing a highly competent infrastructure, such mid-market accounting solutions also offer multi-level security versus the more entry-level measures offered by such programs as QuickBooks.
2. Accounting software that interacts seamlessly with other applications, such as Customer Relationship Management, further makes a case for competence and accuracy. Apprising a prospect of supply chain continuity helps address many common questions from prospective clients.
3. Accounting software choice makes a strong statement to would-be clients about your overall business philosophy. If your company doesn’t cut corners in its choice of this most important of company systems, it establishes a sense that you will perform at a high level in other business dealings.
While initial investment in highly robust and scalable accounting software may be higher than that for entry-level applications its use as a business development tool—in addition to a financial tool—can make up the difference in no time at all.
