Everyday Run State

If you’ve been online lately, you’ve probably seen a flurry of talk around “recession indicators.”

Some of them are serious - rising interest rates, stock market dips, inflation.
Others are... a little less formal.

Case in point: the “Lipstick Index” (yes, that’s a real thing).
Or this week’s viral hit - a stainless steel toothpaste squeezer.
Elegant. Sturdy. $12.99.
Its one job? Get the very last drop out of the tube.

I absolutely love it.
Am I currently trying to reverse engineer one out of binder clips and stubborn optimism? Also yes.

But the message behind it is still the same:
Before you go out and buy something new, ask, are you fully using what you already have?

🧠 What Supply Chain Taught Me About This

In supply chain strategy, this is called resource optimization - leveraging existing assets more effectively before adding new ones.
Not about cutting corners.
It’s about increasing the return on systems, tools, and processes that are already in place.

The same principle applies to your PSA system, software stack, and internal workflows.

💡 Try This: Squeeze More Value From What’s Already in Place

🔧 Inside Your PSA System or Business Stack:

• Schedule a call with your account manager or incredible ConnectWise Consultant (ahem, me) and ask:

• Audit your current software licenses.
  Are there users or modules you’re paying for but not using? Or valuable functionality your team isn’t trained on?

• Check your system usage reports.
  Most platforms offer insights into which features are being used - and which ones are consistently ignored.

• Review onboarding or help center content.
  If you rushed through implementation, there’s a good chance you missed tools that could make a big impact now.

• Ask your team:

💡 Across the Business:

• Credit cards or insurance providers often come with business-related perks - extended warranties, software discounts.

• Check old subscriptions.
  You may already have access to tools (like training libraries or documentation platforms) that no one’s using.

• Revisit your current vendors.
  Are there bundled features, reporting tools, or support hours included in your plan that you’re not leveraging?

🛠 Try This Today (Just 5 Minutes):

Choose one tool, platform, or vendor you already use.
Google:
“Top features of [tool]” or “hidden value in [platform name]”
You might be surprised by what’s available - without spending a dollar more.

Getting to Run State isn’t always about adding more.
Often, it starts with simply using what’s already available - more completely, more intentionally, and with less friction.

Until next time,
Monica