Efficient Systems & Automation Tools are Key to a Stress-Free Business

Who doesn’t love automation?

• Recurring invoices that go out on time to your customers.
• Shopping carts and membership sites automate your sales and content delivery.
• Email systems and autoresponders automate relationship building.
• And calendar apps automate your schedule, putting an end to the frustrating back and forth of setting appointments.
• Social media schedulers that allow you to login to ONE portal to keeping track of all your posts.

Not only does automation save you time, but it helps ensure quality and consistency as well. Remember how frustrating it was to book a call with someone.  Coordinating schedules was a virtual email ping-pong match until you could settle on the best date and time.  Now, you can simply go online, pick the date and allow the automation to book it on both of your calendars. Or what if your invoices had to be sent out by hand each month, compared to having a recurring system in place to ensure they were sent on time.  We're talking about some serious time management savings here!

Now some make common sense, but this is why automation tools exist—

to keep everything running smoothly and as expected.

Can you automate everything? No. But you can implement this same level of efficiency and consistency by creating systems and workflows. Yes!

Document Everything

What would happen if your project manager or assistant were no longer able to work? Could you easily (and quickly) train someone else to take over? For too many small business owners, the answer to that question is a definitive NO.

When all the instructions for completing a task reside only in one person’s head, you’ve set yourself up for catastrophe. Sure, in the event that someone becomes ill or wins the lottery, you would probably recover, but how long would that take?

Rather than risk struggling with logins and procedures, make it a point to document every task in your business, from how you manage your email to how a new product is launched. That way, if your best VA decides to elope with her Prince Charming, another team member can step in and cover for her.

Seek Out More Efficient Systems

Just because grandma always kneaded her bread by hand doesn’t mean that’s still the best way to do things today. Now that new stand mixer takes all the work out of bread making, while still keeping the flavor in. 

Where can you make your business more efficient, while still keeping the personality and brand your clients love and trust?

Consider the following:

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• A hosted help desk solution with “canned responses” to the most common questions. Click a button and answer in seconds instead of typing out a 3-paragraph response.
• Document templates - ensure everything is formatted in a way that matches your brand, and will save you hours on every worksheet, resource guide, and even sales pages and blog posts.
• Duplicate your repeatable projects inside your project management system, change the dates and key details, and instead of spending 30 minutes assigning tasks to your team, you’ll spend 30 seconds.
• Rather than invoicing clients, set up an e-commerce platform that allows  clients to sign up for subscription services. This way they manage their accounts, change credit card info if it expires; and you get paid without the frustration of monthly invoices.
• Use a calendar software system that links with your existing calendar to book calls and meetings without you having to actually set it up.

It might also be time to upgrade your tools, if what you’re using is no longer as efficient as it could be. For example, if your autoresponder can’t move customers from your website form to your email lists. Consider upgrading to a CRM or

email system to make your customer relationship processes more automated.

Take a look at your business and the tasks you and your team perform every day.

Where can you be more efficient? What tools would help you maximize your time?

Making changes in these areas will add hours to your day, and greatly reduce your overwhelm and stress levels as well.

Now you’re on the path to making the business work for you – rather than you working for the business.

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Emilia Andrews offers a clear path to business growth and success by providing effective marketing strategies, services and solutions. Sign up to learn more about her marketing consultation, marketing strategies and services.