Friday, May 18, 2007

USER POWER!

I’ve been very critical of major accounting software developers, but my entire diatribe has neglected a key element of success: the USERS of this software.  That’s right, it’s now time to pick on YOU!

It’s easy to bitch and moan about the software, but what have you done to make a difference?  Do you belong to the software developer’s user group?  Do you participate?  Do you go to the conference?  Do you just sit there?  Is it your primary goal to see how many of their logo items you can walk away with?

Get up off your tush and raise a stink!  Don’t put up with days of their endless drivel on how great their software is, and what new features they have to SELL.  Tell them what’s wrong with their software, and why you think so.  Be prepared to back up your rants with facts.  Don’t let them divert attention away from your issue.  Be respectful and professional, but get your point across. 

Too many user groups today are fancy sales promotions and NOTHING else.  Don’t let this happen.  Other users probably share your intuitive ideas.  Contact them before the conference, and agree to present a united front.  Developers may resist and try to ignore the interruption, but be persistent.  It’s the only way to make things better.  Eventually, the developer will start to listen.  They’ll have to, or they will lose customers.  Changes will be made, the software will get better, and the relationship between developers and users will form a stronger partnership.

Users of the World UNITE!