Let me say this upfront: the best solution isn’t always the most expensive one. In fact, in my experience, it rarely is.
Too often, organisations—especially those working with limited time and tight budgets—fall into the trap of assuming that the flashiest, most expensive platform must be the safest bet. But when it comes to technology, more bells and whistles don’t always mean more impact. Sometimes, they just mean more noise.
All-in-One Isn’t Always Day-One
Now don’t get me wrong—all-in-one platforms can be brilliant. Same goes for premium software. Sometimes the investment is absolutely worth it.
But let’s be honest: these tools often take serious time, energy and internal change to implement well. If you don’t have the internal resources to roll it out properly, you risk ending up with a fancy system that nobody’s really using—or worse, one that’s creating more confusion than clarity.
That’s why I always recommend starting small. Prove the value. Build trust with the people using the tools. Then scale up from there.
It’s About Bridges, Not Islands
Rather than chasing “the one system to rule them all,” I’ve found far more success in building bridges between the tools people are already using.
Ask questions like:
- What systems are actually part of the daily workflow?
- Where is information getting stuck—or duplicated?
- What’s the smallest change that could reduce friction?
Sometimes that means plugging in something like Zapier to automate basic tasks. Other times it’s about finding a CRM that plays nicely with your existing email platform. Either way, it’s about building an ecosystem that’s connected, flexible, and doesn’t need a full-time systems admin just to keep it running.
Smarter Stacks Scale Better
A thoughtfully selected, well-integrated tech stack is more than just budget-friendly—it’s future-friendly.
- Pick tools your team actually enjoys using.
- Integrate where it counts.
- Leave room to grow.
This approach keeps costs low upfront, avoids overcapitalising before you’re ready, and gives you the breathing room to grow and adapt as needs change.
Tech That Serves the Mission
At the end of the day, tech should never be the hero. People are the heroes. The job of technology is to support them—to clear the path so they can do their best work, especially in organisations that exist to serve others.
Whether you're supporting families, fighting inequality, or helping people navigate complex systems, your tools should help you do more good—not get in the way.
So yes—invest in good tech. Just make sure it’s the right tech, for right now, with the flexibility to evolve as you do.
