By Rachel Roberts
And what smart Southwest Oregon business owners can do about it
If you run a business in Grants Pass, Medford, Ashland, or anywhere in Southern Oregon, you’ve probably heard that you need “more tech” to stay competitive.
But here’s the truth: more isn’t always better.
In fact, many small businesses are spending thousands of dollars each year on software, tools, and subscriptions they barely use, or don’t need at all. At Rogue Valley Technology Consulting, we help local business owners cut through the noise and make smart, sustainable tech decisions.
Here are five signs you might be throwing money at technology without getting real value back.
1. You’re Paying for Software You Don’t Use
If you’ve ever said “I think we still have a subscription to that,” you're not alone. Whether it's project management apps, email tools, or CRMs, it’s easy to sign up for tools and forget about them, especially if no one on your team fully adopted them. Those “just $29/month” tools add up fast.
In fact, one recent SaaS Management Index found that on average, 53% of provisioned SaaS licenses go unused, leading organizations to waste around $21 million annually on dormant subscriptions (source).
Tip: Check your credit card statements for unused tech subscriptions and cancel or consolidate wherever possible.
2. Your Team Is Using Workarounds
If your employees are still using Post-it notes or manual processes despite having tools that were supposed to make things easier, that’s a red flag. This usually means the tool was either:
- Too complex
- A poor fit for your real workflow
- Never properly introduced or supported
We encourage our clients to look at tools as one part of a triad of People, Processes, and Tools. We believe that for a company to run smoothly, each part of the Triad must be operating efficiently; when one leg is weak, like when tools don’t align with how people actually work, it leads to friction and inefficiencies.
One study found that 67% of employees say they’re wasting up to an hour a day navigating between poorly integrated tools or duplicating work manually (source). That adds up fast, and it’s a clear sign your tech stack isn’t supporting your team the way it should.
Bottom line: If your team isn’t using the tech you’re paying for, it’s not a tool, it’s a cost.
3. You Bought Tech Without a Clear Goal
Too often, businesses are sold tech before they’re ready for it.
Maybe you were told you “need a CRM” or “need to automate” without really understanding how it would benefit your day-to-day operations. Our philosophy at RVTC is that tech should support your business goals, not replace them. We start every engagement by understanding your goals first. The tools come later.
4. You’re Paying for Overkill
You might be paying for an enterprise-level tool when a free or low-cost alternative would do the trick.
This is especially common with:
- Email marketing software
- Website platforms
- Cloud storage plans
- Compliance tools
If your vendor is selling you features you don’t use or can’t explain, it’s worth revisiting your setup.
5. You Feel Stuck but Don’t Know What to Change
Maybe you have a clunky website, disjointed systems, or tech that just doesn’t seem to talk to each other. But you’re not sure what to fix first, so nothing changes.
That’s exactly when a tech consultant can help. We don’t sell software. We help you make confident decisions, prioritize what matters, and ensure your tech works for you...not the other way around.
What to Do If You Suspect You’re Overpaying for Tech
Let’s take a look together. At Rogue Valley Technology Consulting, we offer a free technology check-in for Southwest Oregon businesses who want to simplify their tech, cut waste, and stay compliant without overspending.
We work with small and mid-sized businesses, clinics, service providers, and solo entrepreneurs right here in the Rogue Valley. Schedule Your Free Tech Consult Today.
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