Introduction

If I was launching out on my own and starting up my own appraisal firm today, there are five all-in-one software solutions or platforms I would want to be aware of. They are:

• Kajabi - Marketing platform
• LightBox Valuation - Real estate valuation workflow
• Ninety.io - Leadership & management platform
• SmartSuite - Work management platform
• Zoho One - Integrated online software apps

If you're a prospective or even an existing small business owner-founder and not familiar with these five all-in-one solutions, here is a quick rundown of each for your consideration and future research.

Kajabi

Kajabi is an all-in-one online website and marketing platform for small businesses.

There are very few all-in-one website and marketing platform solutions. Kajabi is one of the best.

It provides a comprehensive suite of tools, including customizable website features and integrated marketing automation.

A small appraisal business can leverage Kajabi by utlizing its integrated tools to establish a professional online presence and marketing automation.

These tools include:

• Website Builder
• Marketing Automation
• Landing Pages
• Customer Relationship Management
• Drip Content
• Integrated Blogging

LightBox Valuation

When I was in Valbridge, we had our own proprietary software & templates.

If you are not a Valbridge franchisee, you should definitely check out LightBox!

LightBox Valuation is an end-to-end commercial appraisal workflow solution.

It helps appraisers win more jobs, research property & market data, and write high-quality appraisal reports.

It can help CRE appraisal firms manage their entire commercial valuation pipeline as follows:

Jobs

• Manage all RFPs, bids & assignments
• Monitor bid and project status
• Increase bidding effectiveness

Research

• 300 property-level attributes & zoning info
• Assessment & tax information
• National sales comps & map maker

Report Writing

• Report writing tools built into Excel & Word
• Create custom report templates
• Integrated comps database

Ninety.io

Most small businesses have software to help them manage some of the major areas of their businesses:

• QuickBooks for Accounting & Bookkeeping
• A CRM like SalesForce for Marketing & Sales
• Appraisal Production Software like LightBox Valuation

However, when it comes to the all-important leadership and management functions, what do they use?

That's right, nada!

Well, that doesn't have to be the case anymore with Ninety.io.

Ninety.io is an online business operating system designed to help you run your business professionally.

Ninety.io is an integrated solution revolving around 9 key tools:

• Goals
• Vision
• Org Chart
• Processes
• Scorecards
• Accountability
• Problem-Solving
• Effective Meetings
• Performance Reviews

I use Ninety.io with all of my coaching clients with larger appraisal businesses.

We use it to help us through the initial strategic planning process & reviews.

If then forms the management framework for the leadership team.

I can get you a special discount with my affiliate link!

SmartSuite

SmartSuite is a no-code work management platform.

I used QuickBase in my business, but SmartSuite is so much better.

It unites the essential elements that are used in getting work done:

• Databases
• Documents
• Spreadsheets
• Collaboration Tools
• Automation Capabilities
• File Management Products

SmartSuite allows small and medium sized businesses to use a single platform to manage any business process:

• HR
• Sales
• Marketing
• Production
• Operations
• Finance & Admin
• Back-Office Systems

Zoho One

Zoho One is an integrated suite of cloud-based business applications offered by Zoho Corporation.

If you might be looking for an alternative to Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, take a look at Zoho One.

With Zoho One, users can access a suite of over 40 applications covering several key business functions, including:

Communication:

• Mail
• Cliq

Collaboration:

• Connect
• Projects
• Meeting
• WorkDrive

Finance:

• Books
• Invoice
• Expense

Human Resources:

• People
• Recruit

Marketing:

• Sites
• Social
• Survey
• Campaigns

Processes:

• Flow
• Creator
• Analytics

Productivity:

• Sign
• Show
• Sheet
• Writer
• Calendar
• Notebook

Sales:

• CRM
• Bigin
• Bookings

Conclusion

If I was starting out again today with my own CRE appraisal firm, I would definitely be taking a close look at Kajabi, LightBox Valuation, Ninety.io, SmartSuite, and Zoho One.

It's hard to compete with the major national players in the CRE valuation space like:

• BBG
• CBRE
• Colliers
• Newmark VAS
• Cushman & Wakefield
• Integra Realty Resources
• Valbridge Property Advisors

However, with the help of all-in-solutions like these, coupled with recent advances with generative AI and automation, smaller appraisal business owners now have a fighting chance!

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If you're an appraisal business owner and like these newsletters, please share these with other appraisers or business owners you know.  

Also, please consider working with me as your business coach. I truly care about you and your appraisal business and your future success. 

Help for you or your peers is available two ways: 

1. Newsletter - Go to www.CalvinCummings.com, click on Newsletter at the top, and Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter where I share what I did to grow, scale, and ultimately sell my commercial real estate appraisal business successfully. 

2. Business Coaching - While you're there, go to the Coaching page and Book a Free Consult Call with me to see if our Founder Coaching Program is a good fit for you and your business.