Vetting Software & Tech Strategy

Feb 04, 2026

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The Three-Must Filter

Most business owners suffer from "App Tax"—the $20 here and $50 there for software you thought you’d use but don't. We often buy tools for what we might do someday, but if it isn't solving a problem for you today, it's just a leak in your bank account. Cleaning this up is like giving your business an immediate pay raise. Before you buy, you must define what your business requires to ensure the tool actually fits your workflow.

The Rule of 3

To keep your tech lean and powerful, every tool you pay for must pass the Rule of 3. If it doesn't check all three boxes, it’s a No.

Three Specific Results: You must be able to name 3 things the tool does for you today to make money or save time.
No Workarounds: The tool must do those 3 things easily. If you have to spend hours watching tutorials or hiring a pro just to get the basic features to work, the tool is a bottleneck, not a solution.
The Manual Test: The tool must replace at least 3 manual steps you used to do by hand. If you’re still typing in data manually, the software isn't working for you—you’re working for the software.

The Selection Filter: 4 Factors of Business Requirements

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Vetting Software & Tech Strategy

The Three-Must Filter

This post is for paying subscribers only

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