Why Workflows Are Important For Your Business
Recently I’ve had a chance to talk to several clients about workflows. They often come to me overwhelmed because they are overwhelmed with everything they feel like they have to do and they don’t know where to start. This is where workflows can come in. By developing systems and processes for the things you always do in your business, you end up streamlining and having a process that you don’t have to think about. You always know the next step to move things along.
What exactly is a workflow?
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a workflow as “the sequence of steps involved in moving from the beginning to the end of a working process.” So if there are processes you do in your business regularly, those would be workflows. But, you may not have these outlined yet. You may treat each individual project or client as an individual, and just do the next thing for them, without really following a process. This can easily lead to overwhelm because you don’t automatically know the next step. And worse, you may leave out important steps, because you don’t have the process clearly defined.
What types of things can benefit from having a workflow?
Really anything you repeat in your business can benefit from having a workflow. Some common examples are: leads, client onboarding, invoicing, and blog post writing. Anything in which you do more than once in your business and that has multiple steps could benefit from a workflow.
How complicated does a workflow have to be?
Simple answer: as simple or as complex as you want. If you’re new to setting up workflows, you might benefit from just jotting down your typical steps into a Google Doc and referring to it anytime you need to do the process again. However, if you’re looking to simplify the process and take more off your plate, creating automation for your workflow would be beneficial.
By creating automation, you help the process moving along without you having to do the next step. For example, if you’re looking to simplify your new lead workflow, it might look something like this:
A potential new client reaches out via a form on your website
Your system sends an automatic response thanking them for their message and inviting them to set up a free discovery call.
That email includes a link to your online scheduler, where potential clients can choose their own time and date
They book a time that works best for them
A confirmation is sent to both you and the potential new client and an event is added to both of your calendars
This whole process has been able to happen without you having to do a thing. That’s not to say this process can’t be customized for you or your business, it certainly can and you can add your own flair to it. But it adds a level of professionalism because things are moving along smoothly and it’s not waiting for you to have to be at your computer to respond.
So, where do I start?
Start small. If you try to bite off too much at once you’ll get overwhelmed. Start by choosing 1 process in your business to document. If the technology is holding you back. Document it on a piece of paper or in a Google Doc.
Does this sound like something that you would benefit in your business, but still need help? Want to talk it out with someone who has helped numerous businesses create and implement workflows? Book a “Sort it out with Sarah” one hour strategy call and we can work on a plan to get you started!
