5 Ways Custom Software Development Benefits Your Business

What happens when a generic, one-size-fits all program is used for a business? Well, with every business having different needs, it doesn’t work nearly as well as it would if custom software development were used instead. Every business has it’s own unique needs and problems, and making a solution to your specific problems is the best way to overcome them and better the efficiency and productivity of your business.

There are five key benefits that come with utilizing custom software development:

1. Custom design

Having the software created for your sole use is the equivalent to getting a suit made to fit your body perfectly. It can cover every necessity that it needs, and if there is an issue with it, it can be solved and improved right away.

1. Low-cost

Having a custom software could seem like it is more costly than your average product, but the long term investment is invaluable. Plus, the fees for licensing and use of a product anyone can use may very well pass the price of a custom software. Why not have your very own software that does exactly what you need it to do?

1. Upkeep

You can ensure that your software be maintained for however long you need. With a generic software, you don’t have the control to decide whether or not something needs fixing or updating. That is completely up to the software developer that is supplying the application to you.

1. Integration

Businesses can have a software that integrates with other applications to create the most useful and efficient program possible. This is a giant benefit to having custom software.

1. Support

A business can rest easy knowing that they have access to the team that made their software, and that any problems can be fixed quickly and efficiently because of this direct communication.

These are just five general benefits that come with custom software development, but the specific benefits it possibly has for your business could be countless.

The Secret to Hiring the Best People

How would you hire a new employee? Well, most of us create a job ad, wait for applications and then interview the candidates who have the best technical skills and experience.

That’s the traditional recruiting process, and it’s pretty popular. However, it’s hardly ideal.

After all, this process only targets job-seekers, narrowing your search to candidates who are unemployed or unhappy with their current jobs.

Another problem with the traditional recruiting process is that it’s hard to get an accurate sense of candidates’ actual technical expertise from the interview alone. Because believe it or not, studies show that close to 80 percent of interviewees lie.

Furthermore, it’s difficult to accurately gauge expertise because you, the interviewer, are probably biased. Even when you focus on evaluating technical skills, subconsciously you’re making your decision according to other factors. For instance, people who are tall and have deep voices are more likely to get hired, because interviewers connect these qualities with good health.

Since there are many problems with the traditional recruiting process, you need to change your approach. It's recommended you get creative with interviews and also giving your employees a larger role in the process. 

So when you need to make a new hire, rally your employees. Let them ask around and tap their own networks. This way, you stand a better chance of finding great employees outside the basic applicant pool.

And then, once you have your candidates, introduce creativity into the interview process. To avoid the lies, avoid too many questions relating to technical expertise. Instead, ask questions to determine whether candidates would fit in with your team and determine how inspired the candidate is to fill the role and goals to be accomplished in the position being offered.

For more information on our consulting services, please visit www.isucorp.ca 

How to Become an Effective Manager

As a Manager, would you like to simplify your work while at the same time improve performance?

In order to do so you have to become an Effective Manager, focus on outputs rather than inputs. Do not focus on the process but rather focus on results - the ones that produce the best end results.

In general, few inputs produce great results while most inputs produce few good results.  It’s called the 80/20 principle.  Business wise, time has proven that a few products, customers and decisions account for most of a firm’s profits.  This principle applies not only to business but also to your own personal life.

To become an effective manager, you have to focus on maximizing results; where most effort is a waste of time a few well-chosen interventions transform your own and other’s lives as same as the end results.

Three important factors are to be considered in order to apply the 80/20 Principle as a Manager:

First, to make this new approach work for you, you have to be willing to cast off your old assumptions and work habits.  Stop following and start to think everything through for yourself.  It will help you define which are the vital few forces which create the best results.

Second, as a Manager, you will have to work in the right kind of job, for the right firm with the right kind of boss. Basically, have the discretion to make a difference in a company that encourages freedom and creativity.  Unfortunately, most companies do not fit this description but the most successful ones do.

Third, you must really want it, with all your heart and soul. As long as you are serious about it you will accomplish it.