This article was written by Michelle Weger.
Automation.
What does that word make you think of?
Robots?
Computers?
Assembly lines?
It’s true that automation is involved with all those things, but automation is so much more than that.
Automation is magic.
Automation takes the mundane, repetitive, mindless tasks in your life and turns them into spare time. Sure, you could hire someone to take care of the tasks you don’t like doing, but that’s kind of like using your cell phone as a coaster: technically, it works, but you’re not using it for its intended – and most efficient – purpose.
People are best at doing the things computers can’t – things that involve feelings, emotions, and personal connections. Automation can’t replace the human connection, but it can give you more time to spend doing those things while it takes care of the everyday minutia.
Still not convinced? This video session from our Facebook page covers how automation can work for you (or read on to find out more).
What would you do with an extra 13 hours each week?
Would you start a new hobby? Enjoy more time with your family? Spend a few extra hours doing the things you love to do at work?
13 hours a week is nearly a third of the average 40 hour workweek. That’s also the average amount of time small business owners spend on mundane, repetitive tasks that don’t take any special human touch to do.
Those things can – and should – be automated.
Spending a third of your time on something that doesn’t take advantage of the skills, talents, and passion that got you started in your line of work means that you’re not being strategic in how you grow your business.
“Well, that’s nice, but automation won’t work for me because my business is different.”
It’s not.
I hear something similar every single time I talk about automation.
Every business is different. But every business has something that can be automated.
For example, do you need to book meetings or appointments for your business? That’s automatable.
On average, it takes seven emails back and forth to book an appointment. Arguably, booking an appointment is a simple task. All that’s needed is to find a time that both parties are available.
However, the person trying to book a meeting with you doesn’t know what your schedule is like, so they propose a time that doesn’t work. You then respond with a different time that might work, only for them to be unavailable.
Then come the details: where are you meeting?
For how long?
Do you need a Zoom link or a phone number?
If it’s in person, is there parking nearby?
Adding appointment booking software is an affordable way to make sure you’re not wasting anyone’s time. Now that you don’t have to send seven emails back and forth, you can use that time to better prepare for the meeting itself.
What is a better use of your time: sending seven emails, or acing your meeting?
That’s just one example. There are plenty more tasks in your business that can be automated to save you time.
Ready to find out what else you can automate in your business to save more time?
(and yes, that’s automated!)
