QuickBooks Simple Start: The Simplest Way to Get Clients Started with Financial Software Laurie Sheflin Sr. Marketing Manger, QuickBooks September 9th, 2005

2 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l Agenda  The Small and Simple Customer  Simple Start Demo  How are We Doing?  Resources for SBDC Advisors

3 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l The “small & simple” business…  Feels it can do a better job with essential tasks like tracking expenses and preparing for taxes  Wants complete and accurate records without spending lots of time to get there  Believes “full-fledged accounting” software is too much Small & simple businesses want a simple, practical, right-sized solution that requires almost no time or effort to get started.

4 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l CDI for Small & Simple Businesses

5 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l A “small and simple” solution  Simple Start makes moving manual method clients from paper or spreadsheets easier  3-step set up  30 days- free support  “Money In, Money Out” simplifies clients’ financial management  Create estimates, invoices, sales receipts  Track customer payments  Simple Start makes getting organized— and staying organized—a reality for every business.  One-click access to customer and vendor information  Accurate records are ready to go for tax time

6 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l Business Complexity Transaction Volume QuickBooks Enterprise industry-flavors QuickBooks Basic QuickBooks ProQuickBooks Online Edition QuickBooks Premier Editions Simple Start Simple Start & The QuickBooks Family

7 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l Simple Start Demonstration  The Homepage  Set-up a Company  Invoicing a Customer  Write a Check  The Payoff: Reports  Help Options  Migration

8 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l Before & After… Simple Start From many complex screens, concepts & features… to a few, essential business tasks

9 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l

10 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l

11 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l Simple Start Demonstration  The Homepage  Set-up a Company  Invoicing a Customer  Write a Check  The Payoff: Reports  Help Options  Migration

12 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l Before and After: Task Completion Before : After:

13 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l Simple Start Demonstration  The Homepage  Set-up a Company  Invoicing a Customer  Write a Check  The Payoff: Reports  Help Options  Migration

14 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l Desktop and Online Editions Two Editions – One Simple Start Desktop Online

15 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l How we got our learning…  Early-read research  Post-launch qualitative research undertaken within weeks of launch  30 “Follow Me Homes” in 10 states, nation-wide  Simple Start Longitudinal Panel Study [ongoing]  Measuring qualitative and quantitative feedback from the same set of customers over time  6-week and 3-month analysis complete  Customer “Pulse Checks”  45 min/1 hour qualitative check-in’s with customers  Write-ups and audio voice files STS Roundtables  Bi-weekly discussions with support team to capture front-lines issues, identify follow-ups

16 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l Who’s using Simple Start?  1-2 person businesses (second person a partner or family member)  Mostly home-based  Just getting established  Although 1/3 are 3+ years old  Coming from manual methods, spreadsheets, and/or Quicken/Money  1/3 say finances “Not at all complex” “I am everything: the president, bookkeeper, and the person who actually does the work!” “I used to literally use a shoe box and paper and pencil for everything” “Don’t need a lot—write checks, track spending and income and do basic accounting functions and that’s what it does.”

17 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l Why did they buy Simple Start?  Part of starting a new business “We knew we were going to need financial software to track things and prepare for taxes from the beginning.”  Sudden surge in business; feeling overwhelmed with old method “I didn’t know where things stood. Every time I needed to know something I had to go through my piles again.”  Urgency to know expenses, especially for tax purposes “Used to worry about taxes the IRS will bill at end of year. Now I have peace of mind.”  Side business turning into a “real” business  Accountant said “get it.” “[My accountant] basically said, “it’s either QuickBooks or I’m going to bill you by hour to go through all your paperwork & receipts.’”

18 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l What do they want from Simple Start?  Fast & Simple to get started “In 15 minutes, you’re up and running; I got a whole bunch of software that’s unusable up on a shelf. “It’s really easy to get going—I turned it on, listened to tutorials and taught myself.”  Fast & Simple to use “Data entry is quick and easy. I don't spend much time on it and can have simple reports for my accountant.” “I now spend 2 hours a week on bookkeeping vs. 10+ hours before—just can’t do this stuff ‘the old way’”  Keep me organized (especially for tax time) “I like the way the program takes care of the end of year tax issues that I would have to generate by hand. I like having bills and invoices all in one place.”  Offer insight into my business (to reach my goals) “Everybody I know owns a house; I want to buy a house and SS helps me not waste money all over the place, so I can eventually realize my dream and buy a house.”

19 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l Simple Start v.2 From this… …to THIS!

20 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l The Solution: QB Simple Start Edition  Incredibly simple to get started  Track money coming in…and money going out  Finally get organized Simple Start is the Simplest Way to manage sales, expenses and customers with ease without having to spend much time learning a new solution

21 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l 10-Minute Video Tutorial Available at:

22 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l Financial Management Training Resources “Simple Start to Managing Business Finances” Classroom Resources Presentation uses “Simple Start” as teaching tool Driven by SBDC and accountant input Helps businesses avoid common pitfalls Available at:

23 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l QuickBooks Training Site-Licenses Available at:

24 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l New Business Starter Kit Resources to help clients check off the critical startup tasks Includes a Simple Start trial Order free New Business Starter Kits at

25 I n t u i t C o n f i d e n t i a l Continuing to Understand the Needs of SBDC Thank you to those who have volunteered time and opinions in helping Intuit better understand the SBDCs needs.