subject: Increase your workplace efficiency with our automate, delegate or delete system [print this page] At my company, Drew & Associates, we run a tight ship of ADD automate, delegate or delete! When you apply this system in your own life, you'll quickly discover that it reduces your frustrations, helps you meet deadlines and gets you some free time for yourself all while putting more cash in your pocket.
Adapting lifestyle of ADD means that you automate, delegate or delete tasks taking up time in your life. It's the first step we take with our coaching clients. Not only will it lift a gigantic burden off your shoulders thanks to improved time management, but it will also increase your sales revenue.
Bottom line when you have time to work on what's important versus what's not important but urgent' you'll naturally make more money. Let's face it, you're the money making machine! Let others take care of the small details so you can lead and love your business again.
Here's where to start:
For a week get a good snapshot on the things in your schedule that could be done by someone else. Identify items that are not directly contributing to the bottom line. Believe me we're all doing them. This is what they look like:
Answering email, confirming appointments, responding to general inquiries
Taking telephone calls that could be handled by someone else
Paying staff and vendors, or utilities, etc.
Ongoing correspondence with customers and prospects
AUTOMATE
You'd be surprised how much you can automate!
Here's a short excerpt from our automation checklist:
Customer contact create ongoing customer contact via automated systems that are setup for one year. Include customer satisfaction and sales promotions.
Automate payroll and monthly accounting activities.
Automate return email responses and confirmation contact.
To be honest automating these items can create savings that equal one payroll employee's position. If you're the only employee it will free you up for marketing and selling to more clients.
DELEGATE
Get rid of things that do not need to be handled by you, or tasks that take you five hours when a professional could do it in one hour.
Consider hiring a virtual assistant (VA). A VA is someone who assists you, but who doesn't require office space - in fact they don't even have to be in the same city. For example, check out the Virtual Online Marketing Associates website.
Plan on spending from $40 - $75 an hour for a VA. Some companies offer set rates for results, which is a great option to help you keep a handle on your budget.
DELETE
You've heard me talk about this before it's the old Pareto principle or the 80/20 rule. 80% of your results are coming from 20% of your actions. That means that 80% of the activities you are doing are not necessary or at least not contributing to a tangible result.
Here are some things that are time-consuming, but aren't necessarily contributing to your bottom line:
Marketing to the masses without a targeted customer. When you put your message out to the general population it won't be specific enough for the customers you really want (those who buy). Plus, when you cast a big net you need to weed out customers you pulled in who are not a fit for your company.
Unnecessary meetings or meetings without an agenda. (In the US there are 11 million meetings per day!)
Email abuse - copying people who really don't care (or need to care) on emails that get sent out.
Not tracking your results from paid advertising. There are actions you're taking that are not pulling in a worthwhile return. In fact, if you're like most businesses, some of your paid advertising is either not paying for itself or barely paying for itself. Track your results and you'll see it and delete it, freeing yourself up to spend your dollars on initiatives that deliver results.
What will you do with all of your newly found free time? Maybe you could finally get to the gym or share a glass of wine with a friend? It can't be all work and no play!
Increase your workplace efficiency with our automate, delegate or delete system
