Future-Proof Your Design Business (Before Technology Leaves You Behind)

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We are in the final episode of the season, wrapping up our comprehensive journey through how to more confidently choose the right software. In the 25 episodes this season, we've explored everything from identifying what's really broken in your business to navigating the AI explosion. And now you are better equipped to meet the crossroads where the right software decisions can make or break your business.

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WATCH THESE RELATED VIDEOS:
• Scale Your Kitchen Design Business: Choosing Software That Grows With Your Success: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKL3X2vhAWo
• Should You Upgrade or Ditch Your Software (The Framework That Actually Works): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWebpv8pNC8

CONNECT WITH US:
🎤 Book CEO Brandy Lawson to speak: https://brandylawson.com
📖 Higher Help book: http://higherhelpbook.com/
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Episode Transcript

(00:05):
This is The Elevated podcast andI'm your host, Brandy Lawson.
We are in the final episode overthe season, wrapping up our
comprehensive journey throughhow to more confidently choose
the right software.
In the 25 episodes this season,we've explored everything from
identifying what's really brokenin your business to navigating
the AI explosion, and now youare better equipped to meet the

(00:26):
crossroads where the rightsoftware decisions can make or
break your business.
When I walked into CB for thefirst time in 2023, I was kind
of floored.
Of the 475 exhibitors there,less than a dozen of them were
software or technology related.
Cabinet dealers and design firmsare legging behind significantly

(00:47):
when it comes to using apps,automation, and ai.
In some ways, this creates anunexpected advantage.
Businesses can be implementingCRMs and project management
systems for the first timewithout worrying about migrating
from previous applications, butthere's also a massive challenge
ahead.
AI has become the rocket fuelfor the software industry.

(01:08):
Remember from last episode howthere's an AI for that.com
listed over 39,000 AIapplications, the capabilities
of apps, AI, and systems areexploding at a never seen before
pace.
Utilizing these tools creates amassive competitive edge,
improving effectiveness,efficiency, team member
happiness and profit.

(01:29):
The time is now friends.
Companies that don't figure outhow to leverage these tools are
likely to end up out of businessor bought up by the growing
companies that did.
This isn't hyperbole.
It's the reality oftechnological transformation.
What makes our frameworkapproach particularly valuable
is how it applies regardless ofwhat new technologies emerge.
Whether you're evaluating a CRM,like the cabinet dealer in

(01:52):
episode 21, who discovered theirHubSpot just needed better
implementation.
Or considering architecturedesign software like the firm in
episode 23 who switched from2020 to Chief Architect, the
same systematic evaluationprocess reveals the right path
forward.
In episode 22, we talked abouthow one team cut their email
volume by 30%, not by changingemail software, but by

(02:15):
redirecting communicationthrough their project management
system.
That transformation happenedbecause they examined what tools
do well.
Versus what they struggle with.
A principle that applies to anysoftware decision you'll face.
In episode 24, when that firmfaced a$95,000 upcoming software
subscription renewal, theydiscovered the real question

(02:36):
isn't what costs less, but isthe current solution worth its
cost?
That reframing, transforms,panic into strategic evaluation,
a skill that becomes morevaluable as technology
accelerated.
And talking about AI in the lastepisode illustrated a key
insight.
Successful implementations focuson augmenting human capabilities

(02:58):
rather than replacing them.
The cabinet dealers seeingremarkable results with tools
like fireflies.ai aren't tryingto automate design.
They're using AI to handle dataprocessing and routine
documentation, freeing up theirexpertise for creative problem
solving and client relationship.
The connection in all thesestories is the framework we've
been building together.

(03:19):
The five evaluation factors,problem, significance, solution
fit, cost benefit analysis,potential impact and
implementation planning work,whether you're assessing
traditional software tools orcutting edge AI tools.
Remember Maria from episode fivewho thought she needed new
proposal software, butdiscovered her real problem with
scattered product information.

(03:40):
Or the project managementtransformation in episode 20,
where a firm scaled from 16 to60 concurrent projects by
choosing software that matchedtheir specific workflow needs.
Each success story revolvesaround the same principle.
Systematic evaluation revealsopportunities.
That emotional decision makingmisses the communication
patterns we've establishedthroughout the series.

(04:01):
Describing what happens ratherthan prescribing what should
happen, reflect a deeper truthabout software adoption and
really human behavior changehappens most successfully when
teams understand the why behinddecisions, not just the what.
Here's what might feel uniquelychallenging about software and
technology.
Most kitchen and bath businesseshaven't been creating

(04:24):
environments of changereadiness.
The industry's being verycomfortable with stability, but
that comfort zone is rapidlydisappearing.
Cultivating a culture ofembracing change and resilience
isn't just helpful anymore.
It's essential for survival.
The framework we've exploredtogether provides the foundation
for navigating this uncertainty,whether you're facing a forced

(04:44):
decision, like the Slack renewalcrisis, a friction point
decision where current systemsare obviously painful or
proactive, evaluation of newopportunities.
The same structured approachtransforms overwhelming choices
into confident, strategicdecisions.
By now, I hope it's clear thatsoftware evaluation isn't about
finding perfect solutions.

(05:04):
It's about making informeddecisions that align with your
business goals and evolve withyour needs.
The Cabinet dealer who'scommitted to using HubSpot
properly, the firm thatdiscovered Chief Architect's
Hidden capabilities, the teamthat reduced email chaos by
using systems for their intendedpurposes.
All found success throughsystematic evaluation rather
than frantic changes.

(05:25):
The complete framework andworksheets we've referenced
throughout the series [e-mail] slash
choose.
This season was designed as aself-contained instructional
guide to accompany thatresource, giving you everything
you need to competently evaluateany software decision you face
now or in the future.
Looking ahead.
The pace of change is onlyaccelerating.

(05:47):
New AI capabilities will emerge.
Integration possibilities willexpand and client expectations
will evolve.
But armed with a systematicevaluation framework and the
insights we've exploredtogether, you are prepared to
navigate whatever changes comenext.
The businesses that thrive won'tbe those that avoid change.
They'll be those that evaluate,change strategically and

(06:08):
implement it intentionally.
That's the competitive advantageThis framework provides.
The future belongs to businessesthat can confidently choose the
right software for their uniqueneeds.
You now have the framework to beone of them.
That's a wrap on season seven.
Want to be one of the first toknow in Season eight premieres?
Be sure to subscribe.
In the meantime, follow us onInstagram where we'll be

(06:29):
launching a new guidespecifically on using AI
Notetakers for client meetings,a step-by-step resource to
confidently implement and usethis transformative tool.