How Business Automation Can Contribute to Your Business Growth

In today’s fast-paced business world, the words “business automation” have become a bit of a catch phrase. Most people use it as a fancy term that promises to make your life easier and your business more successful. But that’s not totally true?

Integrating automation into your workflow creates a system. But before you can do that, you need to have a documented process. I am not about to go into a rabbit hole talking about all the things you should automate in your business. Honestly, I am very cautious about recommending tech tools until I have enough information to make an informed recommendation. Every business is different, every business owner is different and that means what works for someone else that does the same thing you do may not work for you and vice versa.

How Automation Can Boost Your Business

Business automation is like having your own team of assistants who take care of repetitive tasks, leaving you with more time to focus on what really moves the needle forward in your business. Imagine being able to get stuff done faster and smoother, without the headache of manual work.

Automation isn’t about changing everything; it’s about finding the right spots where it can work. For example, think about how much time and energy you can save by using an online scheduler for setting appointments instead of emailing back and forth. And the process is on autopilot. To hear more about the possibilities, check out this blog post.

By automating tasks, you free up valuable time that can be used for creative thinking, strategic planning, and building relationships – all essential ingredients for business growth.

Uncover the Benefits of Smart Automation

But hold on, there’s more to business automation than just saving time. It’s also a powerful tool that improves communication and collaboration. Think of it as the ultimate team player that keeps everyone on the same page, whether you’re in the same office or not.

Consistency is another benefit. With business automation in place, your operations become more efficient, reducing errors which eliminates the need to put out fires and saves you time. It means you will have happier clients, a stronger reputation, and yes, more growth is in your future.

Navigating the Path to Success

Embracing automation sounds great, but there are some things you need to consider.

Learning Curve: Yes, new tools might mean there will be a bit of a learning curve. And this is true whether you are good with tech or not. It’s like trying out a new recipe – it might take a few tries for you to get it right, but eventually it will turn out the way you want.

Keep in mind, the goal of using a new tech tool is because it supports your long-term goals. That’s why I give my clients how to videos they can reference or even their VA can use once a tech tool is integrated into their workflow. That way it can be viewed when it’s needed.

Choosing the Right Tools: There are a lot of options in the digital world. So knowing which tool to use can be overwhelming. It’s easy to get shiny object syndrome and you end up signing up for tech tools that aren’t really a good fit for your business.

So how do you decide what will work for you? Click here for some tips to help you pick your tech tools to create your business systems. All tools are not created equally. So you have to know in advance what you want the end result of your process to be and how or if that tool can help you achieve that. I’ll put a link to that in the show notes.

Cost vs. Benefits: Like any investment, automation comes with costs, whether it’s time or money. But think about the time you’ll save and the headaches you’ll avoid. The key to automating things efficiently and effectively in your business is timing and cost.

How much will the tool cost you? Is there a trial so you can try it out? How much time will it take to get it up and running. Will you need to hire someone to set it up for you? These are just a few of the questions you need to ask yourself. They will help you see the full picture, weigh the pros and cons, and decide if it aligns with where your business is headed.

Embrace the Growth Boost of Automation

In a nutshell, business automation isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a strategy that can change how you run your business. Remember, tech tools should be your partners, not your boss. Use them strategically to increase your efficiency and save you time so you can focus on growing your business.

Now, I know this may not be an area you’re good at or even want to be bothered with and would rather just pay someone like a systems strategist to do the research for you and just give you the options. That’s why I offer back office assessments. I also have a blog post where I talk about the importance of working with a systems strategist to get your business operations in order. Click here to check it out.

These assessments are a two hour intensive session where we look at your mission, your vision, discuss your values and your goals. Then we review your business operations, identify any gaps, and I create a custom action plan that will improve your business operations if it’s implemented.

It’s tailored to you and your individual business needs. It is a clear roadmap to help you make the shift from overwhelmed to confident. I can do the heavy lifting for you in a VIP Day or you can self-implement using the resources inside of the MY-T Society membership. To learn more about the back office assessment, go to theshannonbaker.com/assessment or click the link in the show notes.

If you would like to hear the expanded version check out the podcast episode below.