Pamela Ayuso, Author at Pamela Ayuso

This Is the Story of Our Latest System Implementation

Pamela Ayuso July 30, 2018

Last year, we implemented NetSuite, an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software at our firm. We were previously using two systems, Zoho CRM and Zoho Books, which we had outgrown. We needed something that we could personalize based on our processes, and NetSuite was the solution (please see my blog post NetSuite: How to Select the Best ERP for more on how we selected our ERP).

Implementing the new system was a company-wide effort which required a lot of hard work, and the first six months were particularly intense. In the end, however, we were able to produce a work of art. NetSuite was the system we needed and more.

My Favorite Methods for Communicating and How to Use Them: Part 2

Pamela Ayuso July 23, 2018

The ability to communicate is one of the most powerful skills we possess as human beings. Moreover, today, we have an unprecedented quantity of tools available to communicate at work. These tools are sometimes subject to misuse, resulting in misunderstandings and wasted time, but they can also be extremely powerful. The more adept we become at switching between one instrument and the next, the more effective we will be at connecting with others and obtaining positive results and healthy business habits.

In My Favorite Methods for Communicating and How to Use Them: Part 1 of this guide, I discussed email and digital and mobile chat applications and their advantages, disadvantages, and best uses. What follows are the three other means of communication my team and I use most often.

My Favorite Methods for Communicating and How to Use Them: Part 1

Pamela Ayuso July 16, 2018

As we were evolving, one of the main abilities that set us apart from other species was our ability to communicate complex ideas. Communication is what has allowed us to build groups, organizations, and nations. We need to communicate to grow and develop, and for that reason, communication is one of our most important tools at work.

The art of communication, if not properly leveraged, can create roadblocks within the work process. There are so many ways we can communicate nowadays that it is easy to become overwhelmed by the options. Our success relies on choosing the best method of communication and how each option can best benefit our professional aim.

How to Stay Up-to-Date by Reading & Learning

Pamela Ayuso July 9, 2018

At work and as adults, we are expected to keep abreast of important events and new information. However, amid the commotion of daily life, keeping up with the news and reading books can easily be forgotten. Moreover, it can be a struggle to develop a habit.

Fortunately, there are many ways to obtain information. The key is to find the best mix of articles and books to keep informed in the most effective way possible.

What Happened During Our Year Implementing NetSuite

Pamela Ayuso July 2, 2018

In 2017 our firm embarked on the biggest system implementation yet: NetSuite, an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. It took six very intense months to become operational, but the full implementation lasted a year because we had bugs and problems that needed to be resolved. Because NetSuite interacted with all the departments of the company, bringing the system online was going to affect everybody.

Prior to implementing NetSuite, we had a very basic accounting system; it only took care of fundamental transactions, such as bills and invoices, and it produced fixed customer statements, accounting reports, and financial statements. While it was a good system for a startup, we realized we had outgrown it.

This is Our Process for Closing a Sale

Pamela Ayuso June 25, 2018

As a real estate development firm, our company sells properties on an ongoing basis; each time a property is sold, several actions must take place to complete the transaction. The problem is, however, that there are so many steps involved in closing a sale that it is impossible to keep track of all of them. From remembering file storage, document signage, and the entire accounting process, it is crucial not to neglect any of these steps.

Different companies organize the steps in various ways. Originally at our firm, each person had a separate checklist, or just memorized all the steps. Many times, we would overlook a crucial step, and it would be left undone until the mistake was discovered later. Other times, the missing actions were never noticed at all.

Your Company Manual and How to Ensure Its Accessibility

Pamela Ayuso June 18, 2018

A few years ago, I was looking at our firm’s operating manual. It was a 15-page Word document stored on our local server. Despite the amount of work we dedicated to assembling it, nobody ever opened or accessed it. It was the electronic equivalent of an archived file that was ignored by everybody. The manual had pages and pages of useful information, but it was of no practical use because no one referred to it.

How to Implement a Cloud System in Your Business

Pamela Ayuso June 11, 2018

Implementing a new cloud software can be very intimidating if you are not comfortable with computer software in the first place. However, even if you are not a computer whiz, you can learn how to adapt, and your firm can take advantage of all the benefits of the cloud systems available in the tech age.

The first step is to make a plan for the overall implementation of the system; this will save time, and you can then take advantage of the system as soon as you buy the license(s). The plan will allow you to have everything ready so you can start working on your software as soon as possible.

Get the Most Out of Your Communication at Work

Pamela Ayuso June 4, 2018

We all communicate daily through our words, gestures, and even our poses. The way we communicate becomes second-nature, a part of our being, and these interactions are crucial both personally and professionally.

Through communication, we find new business opportunities, detect errors in the way we operate and find new avenues for growth. What we may not realize is that even though we have been communicating since we were born, we may not be doing it most efficiently, as there are methods to increase what we get out of our communication at work.

5 Tips on How to Improve Your Business Review Processes

Pamela Ayuso May 28, 2018

To minimize error, a review process is necessary for any firm or business. Weare all humans, after all, and it is easy to make mistakes, especially if we are handling different responsibilities and tasks on a daily basis. The difficulty is that no matter how much work there is, the pressure to deliver perfection every time never disappears.

One way to fulfill the firm’s obligations is to implement a review process in which main processes and deliverables such as sales documents, bill payments, and financial reports are revised by more than one team member. Separate sets of eyes will catch overlooked mistakes and improve quality.

Category: Pamela Ayuso