Which Automation Tools Can Help Streamline Your Business Processes

Running a small or medium-sized business (SME) or startup involves juggling multiple tasks daily. From managing customer relationships to handling inventory, the demands on your time can be overwhelming. But there’s good news - automation tools can help streamline your business processes saving you time and improving efficiency. In this post, we’ll explore some of top automation tools and show you how the Digital Solutions Program can help you and your business achieve greater productivity.

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Identifying time-consuming business processes that can benefit from automation

To turn one-time buyers into repeat clients, focus on delivering exceptional value and creating memorable experiences. Meeting your clients’ expectations creates satisfaction, but when you exceed their expectations, you create delight. Here’s how some practical steps to make that happen:The first step in tackling time-consuming business processes is to identify tasks that 

can benefit from automation. Look for repetitive tasks that consume a significant portion of your time or day, such as email marketing, social media management, or book keeping. Automating these tasks frees up valuable time, allowing you to focus on strategic initiatives that drive growth.  

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Tech tools to help

Social Media Management: Hootsuite, NapoleonCat, Social Champ

Managing multiple social media accounts can be a daunting task. Social media management tools such as Hootsuite, NapoleonCat and Social Champ can help you simplify this process. These tools allow you to schedule and publish posts across various platforms from a single dashboard. You can also monitor social media activity and engage with your audience in real time, all while saving hours of manual work.

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Project Management: Trello, Asana, Monday

Project management tools help you organise tasks and collaborate with your team
and your clients. You can create boards, lists, and notes to track progress and automate repetitive tasks, such as moving notes to different lists when you’ve completed an action. This helps you stay on track and meet deadlines with your projects.

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Customer Relationship Management (CRM): HubSpot, Sales Force, Zendesk

HubSpot is a robust CRM platform that automates sales, marketing and customer service processes. With HubSpot, you can track customer interactions, manage leads, and nurture relationships through automated email sequences and personalised content. This helps you stay organised and provides a seamless experience for your customers. Other CRM tools you can also use are Sales Force and Zendesk.

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Email Marketing Automation: Mailchimp, GetResponse, Drip

Email marketing can be a highly effective strategy for driving sales, but without automation, it can be very time-consuming. Select a software that suits your budget and business needs. The options range from basic tools that will help you create, send and track emails, to advanced features and all-in-one solutions. Mailchimp, GetResponse and Drip are popular email marketing tools that allow you to automate your email campaigns. Set up automated workflows to welcome new subscribers, follow up with potential leads, and re-engage inactive customers. This ensures your audience will receive timely and relevant content without manual intervention.

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Accounting and Invoicing: QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks

These tools automate accounting and invoicing processes, making it easier to manage your finances. You can generate invoices, track expenses, and reconcile bank transactions automatically. This will help you reduce the risk of errors and save time on bookkeeping tasks.

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Transcription and Notetaking: Otter.ai, Circleback, Krisp

Otter.ai is an advanced tool for transcribing meetings, interviews and conversations in real-time. It automates the process of creating detailed notes and summaries, so you can focus on the discussion rather than taking notes. Otter.ai also integrates with various platforms like Zoom, making it easier to keep track of important information without manual effort. Some other tools you can try are Circlback and Krisp.

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Get more business support with the Digital Solutions Program

Implementing automation tools can revolutionise the way you run your business 

allowing you to focus on growth strategies, but choosing the right tools and setting them up can be challenging. This is where The Digital Solutions Program can help. 

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Our mentors have extensive experience and expertise in a range of different areas including digital marketing, communications, and general digital support. As part of the Digital Solutions Program, you can get 3 hours of one-on-one digital guidance and support from one of our mentors. 

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Words by: Audrey Lee is a mentor in the Digital Solutions Program. She’s also the Director at Never Vanilla, helping businesses create compelling website content with brand strategy and SEO.