Who Should Use Notion - The Project Management Software
If you have been following me for some time you know that I discovered the Project Management Software Asana very early on in my Virtual Assistant journey. I fell in love with Asana very quickly and could not stop talking about it! I use it every day in my business to help me organize tasks, projects and launches.
Over the past little while there has been a lot of hype about Notion and I had to check it out because of all the buzz. I dove into Notion, figured out how it works, and set up some templates of my own and I want to share my thoughts with you on who I think should really be using the Project Management System of Notion in their business.
What is Notion, The Project Management Software
Notion, seen by some as the ultimate project management software, is a versatile all-in-one workspace that defies categorization. It's a platform where you can think, write, plan, and create to your heart's content. Notion allows you to capture your thoughts, manage projects, or even run an entire company — and the best part is, that you can do it exactly the way you want.
At its core, Notion is designed to be a digital blank canvas that empowers you to build the structure and workflow that suits your needs. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a creative professional, or a small business owner, Notion offers an adaptable platform for a diverse range of tasks.
Let’s explore who should consider using Notion. How it can enhance small business system optimization, and whether it's the right choice for your specific needs.
How Notion Can Be Used for Business
Notion's versatility makes it a valuable tool for small business system optimization. This project management software enables businesses to streamline workflows, boost team productivity, and enhance collaboration and communication.
Within Notion, businesses can manage tasks, projects, and databases, all in one place.
Small businesses, in particular, stand to gain the most from Notion's ability to centralize information and streamline their operations. Notion can serve a business in basic task management to complex project planning and data storage.
Notion offers an array of business-tailored features, including customizable templates for tasks, projects, and databases, enabling businesses to establish a consistent operational structure for enhanced team alignment and task efficiency.
It also offers seamlessly integrates with popular platforms like Slack and Google Drive, facilitating effortless cross-platform collaboration. With tools for team communication such as threaded discussions and mention notifications, Notion keeps team members connected and well-informed, ensuring that vital updates are shared and discussions remain inclusive.
My Notion Experience
As someone who had been using Asana for years, I was very excited to try Notion from all the raving reviews I have heard. To my surprise, Notion offers an impressive array of capabilities and is a robust platform with endless possibilities to make it your own. It's easy to see how you could run your entire business from this platform.
I played around with Notion for a while to understand the ins and outs of this project management platform. I wanted to see how I could use it in my business and how some of my clients could benefit from it as well!
I even built out a few templates myself for those business owners who use Notion (or are interested in getting started with a template). The Project Planner Notion template is perfect for service-based business owners who offer one-off projects such as a website build or branding kit. The Client Management Notion template is perfect for service providers who offer ongoing services to clients such as Virtual Assistants!
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After reviewing how Notion’s works there are a few things I feel it is super good at and some things not so much.
What Notion is Great At?
One of Notion's standout features is its ability to serve as an exceptional business system for holding information and constructing databases. With Notion, you can organize and access your data with unprecedented flexibility. It allows you to create a hub of information that adapts to your specific needs, providing a robust foundation for your business operations.
It allows you to build out a custom database like I have never seen before, which is amazing because it truly works for you (and not against you like some business systems). You can store information in a variety of ways, from embedding videos, to uploading files and more. Not only that you can easily categorize the information in your database so you can get a concise overview when looking at it.
Using Notion as a database of information or outlining a concept or a plan is a plus in my books!
The Flaws of Notion
It must be acknowledged that Notion's versatility and extensive feature set can also be a double-edged sword. There's a learning curve involved in harnessing the full potential of Notion, especially if you intend to use it to run your entire business. The platform introduces a range of unique terminology and concepts that may not be immediately intuitive to newcomers.
It certainly is not a quick setup to wrap your head around (even if you are tech-savvy) because there truly is so many endless possibilities. Even for myself who I consider reasonably savvy with new technology, Notion brings a whole different game to the Project management software game. Which is great but also results in software that is not overly easy to learn or grasp
Who Should Be Using Notion in Their Business
Notion is a powerful platform, but it's not for everyone. To determine if it's the right fit for your needs, let's explore some of the profiles of users who should consider adopting Notion into their business.
Seasoned Notion User
If you're already well-versed in Notion's features and capabilities from perhaps working with a client or on a school project.
Then it's a no-brainer to keep using it. With already have a good grasp on how Notion functions, its features and how it is set up. Creating a hub you can run your business in Notion should be a breeze. Even if you build out a simple structure at first and optimize it later. You will be ahead of the game using Notion A project management platform you already know the ins and outs of.
Super Tech-Savvy Business Owner
For business owners who are tech-savvy and have experience setting up and configuring business systems. Notion can be a valuable addition to your toolbox. Its customizability allows you to create a digital workspace that aligns perfectly with your unique business requirements.
Even being tech-savvy, keep in mind if you have not used Notion before, dedicate some time to learning the platform.
Database Enthusiast
If you're looking to build out a hub of information, Notion is perfect for you. Using this Project Management on a simple scale of building out storage hubs, information banks, checklists and databases is a great idea not only for a clean layout. But it also gives you a chance to learn the basic functionalities of Notion to build off of in the future.
Who Shouldn’t Be Using Notion in Their Business
The way I see it, there are 2 major types of businesses that under no circumstance should be using Notion in their business.
If You Are Not Tech-Savvy
Notion's depth and versatility can be overwhelming for those who aren't tech-savvy. If you struggle with learning new software, especially one as intricate as Notion, you may find it more frustrating than helpful.
I would caution business owner who typically needs to hire out any system support or spends over an hour on how to perform a single action in a system to keep their distance!
If You Suffer from Shiney Object Syndrome
If you tend to run to the next great thing before finishing or figuring out the basic functionalities of what you are currently working on. I hate to break it to you but this may not be the Project management system for you as there are so many possibilities to get distracted by. There is a good chance you may find yourself jumping from one feature to the next!
Final Thoughts on Notion Project Management System
Notion is a versatile project management software that has something to offer for a wide range of users, particularly those seeking small business system optimization and better organization at work. While it may not be the best fit for everyone, seasoned users, tech-savvy business owners, and database enthusiasts can find immense value in Notion's capabilities.
However, those who aren't tech-savvy may find it challenging to harness the full power of this platform. Regardless of your expertise level, Notion's templates can help you leverage its features to streamline your work and stay organized in your business endeavours.
What if Notion Does Not Seem Like a Good Fit?
Some business systems do not fit with everyone and that is okay. I started using Asana in my Virtual Assistant business years ago and truly fell in love with this system.
If you are looking to explore other Project Management System options. Check out Asana to see if this may be a better fit for you. You can check out my blog post here to get a glimpse of what it is all about!
