Automating The Future Of Your Business
Have you heard of business automation? This innovative technology is allowing businesses to grow and expand their revenue without eating away at their resources. Best of all it can be employed by small and big businesses alike!
From acquiring leads to facilitating customer service, business automation does it all. Read on as we guide you through this fascinating business asset and explore its benefits and best practices for your business!
What is automation?
Incorporating automation into your business utilizes software and technologies to “assume control” of certain processes. Contrary to preconceived notions, this does not mean replacing human employees with robots. Simply put, business automation can lower costs, enhance productivity and limit errors. There are various forms of business automation, including email automation, sales or sales pipeline automation, and business process automation. Let’s go over these varying forms:
Email Automation
Email remains among the most popular and utilized forms of communication between businesses and their customers. In fact, according to wishpond.com, there are around 3.2 billion email accounts worldwide, with 91% of email users checking their accounts daily. If your business isn’t employing email into its repertoire, now is the time to start!
Email automation is an easy way to acquire new customers and retain current ones. By setting up email campaigns, you can send important information or enticing offers in mere seconds. With the use of filters, you can send targeted, relevant emails to your clientele and build personalized relationships with a click of a button!
Sales / Sales Pipeline Automation
Ordinarily, a sales pipeline is when business prospects move through the various sale stages until a purchase is made. When that pipeline is automated, it allows your business to better gauge the sales path, which then can lead to more prospects becoming sales.
Sales Pipeline Automation can help guide your team by having important client information readily available. With the help of automation software, your business can more consistently and more efficiently close sales, which in turn, can help grow your business.
Business Process Automation (BPA)
Business Process Automation is when businesses utilize software to handle menial, recurring business processes as opposed to devoting employee attention to them. BPAs can also prevent human error for such actions, helping businesses save time and money. Some commonly automated processes include:
● Customer support
● Invoicing
● Lead nurturing
● Collections
● Payroll
Benefits of Business Automation
Now that we have discussed some of the various types of business automation, let’s explore the many benefits it can have on your business.
1. Save time! Automation is a powerful tool for freeing up time among small business owners and their employees. Instead of delegating out menial, repetitive tasks, more time can be spent on revenue generation instead.
2. Better lead scoring. When automated lead scoring is employed, you can get a better read on qualified engagements based on brand interactions. Once automated, more attention is given to important leads automatically.
3. Improved customer service. Instead of delving time and energy into recurring tasks, employees can put forth more emphasis on improving relations with customers. A study conducted by McKinsey states 70% of buying experiences are based on how customers feel they are being treated.
Best Practices
1. Start slow and simple. It’s best to get your feet wet when it comes to automation instead of diving in head first. Choose software that’s easy to use, but effective. Once you are comfortable integrating these features into your business, adding more will become a breeze.
2. Review your operations. Before automating aspects of your business, take the time to carefully inspect for any problems that could occur.
3. Make sure what you are automating is worth it. Whether the investment be time, money, or both, ensure the recoup for that investment is acceptable. Investing into automating the processes that will save you the most time should take priority.
4. Review security risks. It’s important to remember that while automating makes projects easier for your business, it does the same for malicious attackers. Have strategies ready to combat any security breaches.
5. Plan for the future. Ensure that any automations you add are able to adapt and change in the future. The last thing you want is becoming dependent on third-party systems that you cannot tailor to meet your needs.
We hope you have found our guide on adding automations to your business helpful. Should you need clarification or advice on any aspect of automating your business, please reach out to us!
Sources:
https://industryanalysts.com/12417_greatamerica/
https://blog.wishpond.com/post/80784797050/email-automation-what-is-it-and-why-does-your