We love listening to podcasts. Whether it’s about business strategy, social media trends, or product management tips, there’s nothing better than tuning in to insightful discussions on how to streamline processes and eliminate wasted time.
Now, before you assume these are all the kind of dry, technical shows that put you to sleep, let me assure you—they’re not. Think along the lines of Business Wars, where gripping brand sagas unfold, complete with tales of triumphs and stumbles.
But today, one of our go-to podcasts (which shall remain nameless) sparked more than inspiration—it raised our blood pressure.
The episode in question tackled problem-solving and delegation, which, in theory, should have been an enlightening listen. But then, the host launched into a list of recommended software tools to make businesses more efficient and organized. And here’s where it went off the rails: the list was monumental, and the tools? All entirely different platforms.
Too Many Tools, Too Little Integration
What is happening to the world? And am I the only one who values an integrated system, like Microsoft Teams, with its suite of interconnected apps? A place where I can manipulate files in their native format, communicate seamlessly, store information, and host virtual meetings—all without toggling between five different platforms?
Of course, I get it—Microsoft isn’t where you’d go for graphic design or accounting software. Specialized tasks need specialized tools. But the podcast's suggested toolkit included apps with overlapping purposes. One app to create, another to share. One to manipulate data, another to manage CRM tasks. Then came mentions of Monday.com, Trello, ClickUp, Notion, and Wrike. By the end of the episode, it felt like drowning in an alphabet soup of productivity tools.
It’s not just overwhelming; it’s counterproductive—especially for new businesses. Each of these platforms comes with its own learning curve, quirks, and costs. Wouldn’t the better advice be: start with what you have, figure out your functional needs, and see if your existing software can do the job before investing in more?
The Case for Simplicity
I have a good friend, Keith Bird, who works in IT solutions (and no, this isn’t an ad for Keith or Microsoft—he doesn’t even know I’m writing this). Keith often hears my frustrated refrain when shiny new apps hit the market: “Isn’t there already a Microsoft tool that does this?”
Spoiler alert: there usually is.
This isn’t to say innovation is bad, or that every problem has a Microsoft-shaped solution. But what’s with the relentless proliferation of apps that seem to solve the same problems in slightly different ways? It feels like a race to out-feature each other rather than addressing the core issue of efficiency.
I suspect this glut of tools stems from demand among Apple users—cue my allergy to fruit-shaped devices—who might not have the same built-in solutions. But for those of us firmly planted in Microsoft’s ecosystem, many of these tools feel redundant.
A Word to Business Owners
So, to all the entrepreneurs and small business owners out there: before you get swept up by spangly colours, catchy names, and glowing reviews of the next best app, pause.
Ask yourself:
What functionality do I actually need?
Can my existing tools—whether Microsoft-based or otherwise—already handle this?
And if you’re still unsure, ask someone like Keith. Trust me, people in IT solutions love showing you how to make the most of what you’ve got.
This isn’t an anti-software rant—it’s a plea for sanity in a world of software overload. When it comes to productivity, less really can be more.
Cheers,
Luke
P.S. This article wasn’t sponsored by Microsoft or Keith. It was simply the result of a frustrated, spur-of-the-moment keyboard dance. Thanks for listening.
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