Class Messenger App: 4 Surprising Things Holding Your ECE Business Back (And this One Simple Tool Can Help Solve Them)

It’s easy to list the things you’re good at—but what about the things you just don’t get?

Whether you dread public speaking or couldn't do long division to save your life, don’t sweat it—no one can be awesome at everything.

But when it comes to growing your ECE business, the important thing is to make sure your weak spots don’t hold the rest of your business back. Problem is, they're usually the things that are the toughest to see on your own.

It's time to step back and take a good look. Here are five easy wins to ensure your business stays on an upward trajectory. Because believe it or not, there's an app for that.

What is a class messenger app? (Hint: The best-kept secret to community-building.)

Communication makes the world go around.

From a well-crafted tweet, to a scrawled note left on the fridge, communication comes in many forms—and each one symbolizes how you connect with your community.

That’s why it's so important for your ECE business to choose clear, simple, and streamlined communication methods—and a class messenger app is the key.

A child care app (a.k.a. “class messenger app”) allows you, your teachers, and your entire team to securely and privately share data, photos, invoices, and more at the touch of a button—meaning happier parents and a healthier business.

With a growing pool of tech-savvy millennial parents firmly in the mix, digitizing your center while maintaining a quick, responsive, and human communication cadence is more vital now than ever before.

#1 - Lack of trust within the team

Your team is the most important thing in your business—and it pays to keep them happy.

In fact, according to a report by Forbes, happy employees are 20% more productive than their unhappy counterparts.

So, how do you keep employees excited about coming to work in the morning?

Simple. You show them trust.

In a recent interview with MomentPath, ECE expert Richard Cohen explained that what employees need more than ever is trust.

“It feels counterintuitive to sort of let go and trust the process and trust the moment,” he said, “[But doing so can] help teachers de-stress, find pride and value in themselves. It increases teacher retention.”

Pro tip: Show appreciation for your employees by using a class messenger app to give them shoutouts for a job well done.

#2. Not enough backup

Asking for help can be difficult, but it can also make a HUGE difference when it comes to your ECE business.

The ability to recognize your weaknesses and ask someone to come to your aid can be the difference between falling flat on your face or giving your ECE biz the boost it needs to succeed.

Social psychologist Heidi Grant explained in the Harvard Business Review that over 75% of the help co-workers give each other is in response to a direct ask.

But the problem for most leaders is drumming up the courage to make that ask.

Luckily, Heidi goes on to say people are much more likely to help out than you think. In a study by Cornell University, researchers found that 48% of help-seekers were surprised by people actually giving help when they asked for it.

Believe it or not, you don't have to carry the weight of your business on your shoulders. Your teams and parents might jump at the chance to get more involved—you just need to make it as easy as possible for them to say “yes.”

Pro tip: Use your class messenger app to send updates to parents and staff about center events, policy updates, or opportunities to get involved in a strategic project.

#3. Siloed workflows

With great success comes great workloads, and sometimes the amount of new processes can start to pile up—adding to employee stress instead of reducing it.

Lucky for you, the answer is simple.

Integration.

If your CRM isn't talking to your payroll system, important information could start to fall through the cracks. With smart child care management systems, your program director won't have to nag your finance director for info and approvals.

From class messenger apps that simplify internal comms, to software that finally makes finance feel painless, the right tech can help bring your people back together.

Class messenger apps that operate as part of a multi-functional system—and even better, allow you to integrate old tech with new—are the best way to go.

Pro tip: Look for child care software that integrates your class messenger app with any of your other tools from finance, reporting, analytics, and more.

#4. No plan

Every business needs a plan to succeed.

From outlining a strong vision to setting goals that help you get there, ensuring you have a structured roadmap is the only way to reach your destination.

Here are a few things every business (or business growth) plan should include:

• Licensing requirements: Check in with your local government office to find out what your state’s requirements are.
• Goals and objectives: What are your motivations? What do you hope to achieve? Outline your goals so you can check back on them later.
• Finance and cash flow: Make sure your numbers add up from day one.
• Competitor analysis: Get out your detective hat and find out what the competition are doing. What gaps can you fill that everyone else is missing?
• Marketing plan: Get to really know your audience, then speak to them in a language they’ll understand.

Pro tip: Make sure you have a business plan to back up your actions. If you already have one, take a minute to review it to make sure it's still working for you.