3 Ways to Boost Your Business NOW

Operations, Strategic Consulting, Strategic Planning / January 31, 2022
Getting the Operations side of business together requires putting systems and workflows in place. For most businesses, you need different systems. Here are 3 ways to boost your business which will help to improve the backend of your business quickly.

Wow, it’s February already! Remember when the New Year came in and you made a goal to get the backend of your business together? The Operations side of business. Remember that?

So, let’s discuss this. You want to get your operations in shape. But what does that mean? And more importantly, where do you start? It starts with systems! Planning is innate to me and I’m a quick analyzer, so you’ve seen me talking about it often. Systems and workflows work for every type of business. But for those visionary-type business owners, this can be a struggle. Right? Moving your business forward requires change. And the best way to implement change is through small yet actionable steps.

For most businesses, you need different systems. Here are 3 ways to boost your business which will help to improve the backend of your business quickly.

Disclosure: Some of the links below contain affiliate links. If you click on any of the links and subscribe or purchase the item, I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

1. DOCUMENT PROCESSES

Documenting your processes will be the single most effective thing you can do to boost your business. It allows you to move forward into your CEO role, create workflows, standardize procedures, alleviate gaps, hire & outsource the work, and SCALE YOUR BUSINESS.

Think of a set of repeatable tasks and procedures that you do but no longer want to do because your time would be more valuable doing something else. Begin right there!  This is the work you will ultimately outsource. Write down every step of the process. Better yet, create a video of the process (Loom is a great tool for this). Share and gather feedback. Incorporate the feedback received by tweaking the documentation, implement corrections and streamline the processes. You now have a Standard Operating Procedure which enables you to hand off to a team allowing you to SCALE your business.

2. AUTOMATE

Thanks to technology, automation has become much easier and endless. Even if you start small, most business owners are thankful for automating appointment scheduling and invoicing. There are tools that can be integrated like Quickbooks and Calendly but then there are all-in-one tools like Dubsado and Honeybook which can make your processes run smoothly.

Automated scheduling saves everyone time. It’s no longer necessary to email or text back and forth about what time is best. For example, on my Google calendar, I set my availability, link the calendar to my Calendly scheduling software, and send out links to anyone who I would like to schedule time with. You can even create different types of events which will link back to your available time on your calendar.

Now what if your invoices went out on the right day – every month – automatically? Using Dubsado, Honeybook, or Quickbooks to create recurring invoices are all great options. This feature is a gamechanger! Just be sure to create personalized emails to go with each invoice along with any instructions you wish the client to see.

3. CREATE A DASHBOARD

What’s a dashboard? Imagine you’re the pilot of an aircraft with multiple instruments that holds information to the different areas you must focus on moving the plane forward and landing correctly. Now imagine all of the most important information on one screen so that you can put your finger on the pulse of the area that needs attention at any given moment. That’s what a dashboard is. The dashboard is the main tool where you view all the business’ key performance indicators (KPI) which are the numbers that matter most for your business. Tracking can include revenue, accounts receivables, accounts payables, sales, lead-to-client conversion calls, or email open rates.

Decide which KPIs are important for your business and start with something as simple as an Excel spreadsheet. If you have team members who are responsible for monitoring tasks like emails, customer service, or accounting, assign them to update the dashboard monthly.

Having a dashboard automatically makes you become more aware, more efficient, and more selective about where you (and the business) are spending time and money and how you work with clients – because, after all, numbers don’t lie.

Systems can save you time and money. Getting them in place can feel overwhelming. Be intentional and take actionable steps to get the operations side of your business together. Small steps will do.

If you are ready to go deep and get down to business about cleaning up the backend of your business, a strategic planning session with me may be a good fit for you. Remember your goals. It’s already the second month of 2022 and time is not waiting. Start here to book your Discovery Call.

3 Systems Every Business Needs

Online Business Management, Operations, Strategic Consulting, Strategic Planning / January 24, 2022
A system is a process which focuses on specific issues in your organization. By applying systems to your business, you will save time and money by not repeating the tasks over and having everything automated.

There is one issue every business owner and entrepreneur faces – we all have so much to do and not enough time to do it! This leaves very little time to spend on things that really matter like revenue-generating activities and scaling your business to its next level.

However, there is something that all business owners can do to help alleviate this issue. Implement business systems.

What are business systems?

A system is a process which focuses on specific issues in your organization. The system is normally automated, but the essential part is that a system makes the process much simpler. Systems improve productivity! Systems save the business owner time and money by automating repeated steps of the processes in your business. Typical examples of tasks that can be systemized include social media posting, email marketing, client onboarding, client offboarding, time-tracking, or invoicing.

Beginning with a systems approach means not having to waste time on smaller activities that consume your time in your business. Having solid systems in place, your processes move more fluidly and like clockwork. As the business owner and CEO, you will be able to redirect your attention to the more important activities that are likely to add so much more value.

 The idea of implementing systems can be overwhelming. And as explained above, this is your Why. But for the other 4 W’s, I’ve seen and heard many business owners who were not sure Who to turn to for help, What systems were needed, When to begin, and hoW to optimize them.

Here are 3 very important systems every business owner needs and should have. They can be quickly and easily implemented into your business. The Return On Investment will be greatly manifested!

Client Onboarding

You know what they say about first impressions. Having a Client Onboarding system will impress your clients and cement how your clients view you and your services. Automate and personalize your onboarding process with your brand. Typical areas to automate are your online scheduler, email templates, proposals and contracts to name a few. Once you have created these systems, you can map out an entire workflow that will move your clients through the Client Onboarding system.

Example: Client receives your proposal which links to a contract and invoice once accepted. After the invoice is paid, the client receives a link to your Scheduler to schedule the onboarding call. After the onboarding call, the client receives a Welcome email containing important information regarding your organization.

This process can be refined and tweaked as much as you like and even more as your business scales

The Dubsado platform is a great tool for creating a Client Onboarding system. The system will be pretty much plug-n-play. Click HERE to use my affiliate code to receive 20% off.

Client Management

Client management systems are also important to your business. Having one in place helps to improve service to clients and keeps you organized while doing so. Creating master files, templates, and guidelines saves time, and improves efficiency and accessibility. Creating master data forms which house your clients data will help to stay on top of the client’s important information. Using tools as simple as this affiliate link for Google Workspace (enter this code 963FD7RG9JM36RL for 20% off the first year)  can be very effective and cost-efficient or you can reach higher with more robust systems such as Keap. As your business grows and scales, having this process systemized will provide long-term efficiency.

Project Management

Having a team means delegating and monitoring tasks. The most effective business system that is a must is the project management system. Using a PM tool like ClickUp, Trello, or Asana will absolutely allow you to take your business to the next level and scale. You and your team will remain organized on all current tasks while previous tasks can be documented for reference. The PM tool also helps to stay organized and create timelines to manage client expectations on projects. Clients will feel like they are getting a customized experience that impresses them.

PM tools typically have the ability to integrate with MANY other tools to make your work easier and smarter. And when working with team members, the PM tool is great for matching the person to the process which keeps everything running smoothly.

Summary

By applying systems to your business, you will save time and money by not repeating the tasks over and having everything automated. Your time can be invested in other areas of your business that can bring greater value. Even better, clients are happy and feel appreciated because consistent service is being delivered.

Start with these 3 systems as outlined then move to other areas of your business to automate. Have questions? If you’re not sure where to start, why not start with a Strategic Planning session with me where we spend up to 2 hours with each other assessing your business systems and creating a plan for you to implement. Start here and let’s have a coffee chat. You will leave our session with so much more clarity. Book your spot now and receive 22% off any package (use code PCM). Offer expires 1/31/2022. Let’s go!

It’s Time to Make Changes to Your Business Practices When… 

Online Business Management, Operations, Strategic Consulting / January 18, 2022

Your business rules your life.

If your clients are calling, texting, or emailing at all hours of the day, expecting you to answer, your business is ruling your life. Boundaries are important to your wellbeing and clients should know upfront that you are not on call 24/7. You are a business owners and entrepreneur, not a first responder. Even first responders get time off! Set your boundaries (aka business hours) from the start or implement them now.

You feel burned out.

Business burn out comes when you are solely responsible for completing every task. Or when you don’t set boundaries. Or when work infringes on your family time. The ultimate result is you end up physically sick and/or you want to throw in the towel and quit. Your brain and body need down time to relax and regroup, which is why a good night’s sleep is so important to physical health. Constantly thinking about business without a break is a natural case for burn out. Outsource your admin tasks, social media, and/or marketing tasks. Leave work at the office, even if it’s your home office.

You don’t have any free time with family or friends.

Your friends and family will certainly complain if you fall off the face of the earth working your business but these complaints may one day turn to resentment. A spouse may resent being the sole caregiver while you work all hours of the day. Your kids may feel you love the business more than them. Your friends may get tired of issuing invitations if they think your business takes top priority. Without a strong support structure, your efforts to build a legacy may leave you alone in the world.

You spend more time on administrative tasks than with clients.

If your primary purpose of starting a business is to help others, then why are you spending more time on administrative tasks than clients and customers? Yes, you need to market yourself to obtain new clients but implementing your marketing strategy can certainly be done while you are with your clients. Hiring a marketing strategist can help you stay focused on your clients instead of worrying so much about where to find your next client.

Change isn’t easy, especially when you’re talking about changing things about your established business. But the right changes can breathe new life into your business.

Are You Ready for Change but Not Sure Where to Start?

Imagine what it would be like to go from doing all. the. things…to mastering your time, your projects, and the CEO role. As an Strategic Consultant and Operations Manager, my goal is to offer you solutions. Planning, processes, and Analyzing are my Superpowers! I can help you analyze what needs to be changed and how to implement those changes. Some changes are easy, others are more difficult, but they will all be worthwhile if they streamline your business so you can bring in more profits. As business owners, we tend to overthink the process or even the solution that might be in front of you. Let’s connect for a quick coffee chat. GO HERE TO SCHEDULE THAT COFFEE CHAT! If you would like to know more about how me and my service, CLICK HERE.

2022 Business Processes & Plans – Day 6

Strategic Planning / January 8, 2022

Four Weeks to Supercharging Your Marketing to Increase Profits

It’s the end of the week and the end of the series. Hopefully, there were some key takeaways for you that will help get your business processes and plans in order. So for the final time, let’s review this week’s tips.

Day 1: FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION & BOOKKEEPING – Organizing and streamlining the financial record keeping can help you analyze, strategize, scale, and grow your business.

 

Day 2: AUTOMATE WITH SYSTEMS – Automating with systems streamlines the daily functions of your business and allows it to scale & grow. Automation just allows you to reallocate your time and focus on what you feel matters more.

Day 3: CREATING WORKFLOWS – Choosing the proper workflow and systems for your business can allow you to have the time to focus on your craft, while generating revenue for your business.

Day 4: TIPS FOR GOAL SETTING – Make time to set your goals. The key is to be strategic and take small steps to ensure you are always working on your goals.

 

Day 5: Practice setting boundaries. Honor them. Revisit, reevaluate, then reinforce having healthy boundaries.

 

So for the finale in this series, here are tips to supercharge your Marketing in four weeks.

 

If you want to be successful at online marketing there are several things you can do to increase your chances. The first is to sit down and think about everything that needs to be done in your business to make it a success. After product discovery and / or creation; marketing needs to be tops on that list. Marketing sometimes can be left to the wind. But, if you really want to be successful, you have to place a priority on it.

 

WEEK ONE – PLANNING AHEAD

One of the most important things you can do to ensure marketing success is to plan in advance what you will be marketing and the different ways in which you will do so for any given product or service. It’s not a “one and done” proposition. It takes a few weeks to get the message out and get people to answer your calls to action. They’ll need to see them in multiple ways. Create a separate plan for each product and marketing channel. 

 

WEEK TWO – EMAIL MARKETING

Arguably the most important way to earn money, practically on demand, is to build a healthy email list full of hungry prospects. Make it your goal to fill your list so that you can market your products and services repeatedly to your audience in a more direct way. Create ongoing campaigns for your autoresponder segmented by where, when and how a prospect signs up for your list. If you know in advance what you will write about on your blogs, social media and in email marketing, you’ll be more successful.

 

WEEK THREE – SMART PROMOTION TACTICS

You’ve likely read a lot about promotional tactics but some of what you read just doesn’t feel right. The fact is you don’t have to resort to sleazy tactics to succeed at earning money online. You can market your products with integrity and pride because all the products you create and find are exactly what you claim they are. No marketing “puffery” required. When you are proud of your products or services, you can promote them on social media, within blog posts, and in email and feel great about it. There is never a reason to feel guilty about making money from your products and services when they are of high quality.

 

WEEK FOUR – GETTING EXPOSURE

Even if your business is 100 percent online, getting exposure may require that you step outside of your comfort zone and start using other mediums such as social media postings, podcasts, online radio interviews, guest blogging, speaking engagements and more . You might also want to look into strategic joint ventures and/or pay per click advertising on Google or Facebook.

 

Planning out what you will do each week, then simply repeating it every time you have a new product or service will help you become more successful than you ever thought possible. If you play your cards right, the truth is, increasing your profits is simply a few weeks away.

 

Once again, I’m here to help you take the next step in your business journey and it all starts with strategy. Hopefully, this series has helped and if you have any questions, please reach out. For the new year and in recognition of 2022, mention code PCM to receive 22% off when you schedule a  Strategic Planning session with me. Click HERE to book your session today. In the meantime, for Strategic Success: Plan, Consult, & Manage!