Taking it to committeeTaking it to committee

Published on Thursday 13 November 2008

We know. You want it. You're convinced. It would make your life SO much easier. The thing is, it's not your decision - you have to persuade the rest of the committee. Where on earth do you start?

It's a sentiment we hear expressed all too often. Well, we've put together a few hints and tips on selling to your church committee (in the nicest possible way!).

1. PREPARE WELL

  • Become familiar enough with Omega Church to be able to answer questions on its features
  • Bring the web address and any literature you have with you to distribute
  • Try and make sure it is not going to be the last item on the agenda and therefore likely to be put off till the next meeting...or the one after that!
  • Why not contact us to see if we are running any information evenings and bring a few people along?  Why try and explain the benefits yourself when we can do it for you?
  • Have a good think about the benefits it will bring to your particular church and the people who will be using it

Here are some of our suggestions:

• Tell them how Omega Church will save time and reduce errors

  • The fact that it works off one database means that if a parishioner's details change, they change throughout the whole system - no need to remember to pass the information on to other office bearers.
  • That Omega Church is ideally suited to entering free will offerings straight into the system (with a built in double-check prompt), eliminating the need to transfer hand-written records onto the pc at a later time. Even better, the information is automatically entered into the Accounts module.

• Tell them how Omega Church is an investment in the future

  • How its state-of-the-art technology (Microsoft SQL Server) means it is ideally placed to keep up with the fast-paced changes in technology such as new operating systems
  • How it is so much easier to pick up and use (thanks to its wizard-based interface and Omega's comprehensive training and support package) than the carefully-crafted Excel spreadsheet that only the Treasurer can use - what happens when he/she moves on?
  • The future is in streamline, integrated administrative systems - it's going to have to happen eventually, so it might as well be now and get ahead of the game!

• Tell the Treasurer that the Accounting Module will meet the needs of current charities' legislation AS WELL AS those of churches themselves

  • How, if your church is required to prepare accrued accounts, SOFA and Trial Balances can be produced at the touch of a button
  • If church accounts are on a Receipts and Payments basis, our Income and Expenses report should meet all your needs
  • How our finance features are also flexible enough to allow customisation to prepare reports relevant at church level.

• Tell the Minister about the confidentiality and quality of the information which can be held and accessed

  • With password protected user accounts
  • With SQL Server's enhanced security from hackers over and above Access-based programs, for example
  • More accurate records
  • Easily customisable reports

• Tell the Administrator about Omega Church's free data transfer , user-friendliness, and excellent help and support facilities

  • So no, it doesn't mean having to enter it all again!
  • But is an excellent opportunity to revisit existing data and check for accuracy
  • How even first-time users find Omega Church intuitive and easy to pick up
  • And if they are still stumped, there is a built-in help manual, plus phone, email and online support

• Emphasise how everyone who still has a role will continue to do so and can receive personalised training to make sure they feel confident.

• Invite them to download and review the trial themselves - they don't have to take your word for it!


2. MAKE YOUR CASE

• If you are genuinely enthusiastic , your audience is more likely to be too


3. EXPECT RESISTENCE

• Think up objections in advance and have responses prepared.
• Negotiate. Be prepared to concede defeat for now if you can get agreement to get Omega Church installed by next year/financial year/summer
• If you are an accountant and can't get agreement for the whole package, suggest purchasing Omega Accounts standalone package at least, with a view to upgrading to the full package by next year/financial year/summer


And finally....
• Tell them you'll be a much happier person to be around!