Six Lessons from 2 years of Nolo Apps

Reflecting on the journey of Nolo Apps, several key insights have emerged that shape our approach to supporting brands in their growth and transformation:

Championing Brand Advocacy

Our experience has reinforced the necessity of each brand having a dedicated advocate. This champion, deeply integrated within the brand, is critical for driving internal change and shouldering a significant portion of the responsibility for the success of our collaborations. True transformation is an inside job, and we're committed to empowering these change-makers.

Expand Your Team

Initially, I was skeptical about collaborating with brands that had strong technology leaders, fearing they’d prefer to manage everything independently. However, we've discovered that these leaders seek opportunities to enhance their delivery capabilities. Nolo Apps serves as an effortless, low-code addition to their team,

Start Small

Success is built on incremental achievements. Small victories pave the way for larger, systemic changes. Demonstrating Airtable’s effectiveness on a smaller scale allows for gradual, company-wide integration, one team or project at a time.

Foster Co-Creation and Collaboration

Direct engagement with end-users and stakeholders in the app development process has proven essential. This collaborative approach ensures the solutions we develop are not only adopted more smoothly but also deeply valued, with users feeling a genuine sense of ownership over the tools they helped create.

Simple Wins

Avoiding unnecessary features and complexities is crucial. Unlike with fixed, unchangeable software, custom applications allow for the addition of features as needed. While it’s tempting to build a comprehensive solution from the start, experience has taught us to focus on the essentials.

Rather than attempting to deliver an all-encompassing version immediately, we aim to create a solid foundation upon which further complexities can be built as necessary. This strategy prevents the pitfalls of over complication and ensures that the final product truly meets the evolving needs of its users.

Standardising Before Automating

The transition from traditional to digital workflows can be met with resistance, but our approach has been to standardise processes first, particularly those entrenched in spreadsheets. This standardization is crucial for a seamless move to more sophisticated systems, aligning with the wisdom that effective software builds on well-defined processes.

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These learnings have not only shaped our service offerings but also our philosophy towards technology’s role in brand evolution. At Nolo Apps, we are continuously refining our approach to meet the dynamic needs of our clients, ensuring that each solution is as unique and forward-thinking as the brands we serve.

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