June 2022 Coaching Tip - Tech and Small Businesses
Welcome to the June 2022 Business Coaching topic here at Miles Better Business Coaching.
My name is Collin Miles aka The Numbers Guys and this month’s topic is
Incorporating Tech Tools into your business
This month we talk about ideas that perhaps could help streamline your business and allow you to focus on the bigger picture.
Namely Tech tools.
If you aren’t using software of some sort then the likely hood is that your competition is and will be stealing an edge on you.
From our favourite of course Accounting Software, to CRM’s and websites – all play a part.
Time Management Tools
There are countless Calendar apps and software to help you track deadlines, reminders and tasks
But this is a vital skill that so many entrepreneurs overlook
You need to even plan in the tasks you don’t like doing otherwise they won’t get done.
One example is Calendly – it integrates your calendars into one place and most importantly allows you to automate your appointment making. We found that was a huge step change for us here – we use a piece of software called Vectera that also hosts and brands our virtual office – but the ability for clients and potential clients to book when it suits them has been really well perceived all round and shows our clients that we are customer centric and not the other way round.
It takes the back and forth of setting up appointments and lets them look at my available time slots and also allows me to also build in down time slots to get the assignments completed on time.
Trello is another powerful business tool that is free so we like that as the numbers guy.
You can then take this one stage further and look at time tracking apps that helps you and your business record time spent on different tasks in real time – as it can be so easy to be busy doing nothing.
In fact this is a great exercise to complete from time to time to actually see what things fill your day and what should in fact be dropped to allow more productive use of the day.
Sort of like a reality time check…….
Up todate Payment Tools
At the end of the day – if people cannot pay you easily then they will go elsewhere. This is true for a product based business and also for a service company
Stripe is a great payment tool and this can be integrated into the invoicing of the accounting software we recommend – more later.
Having an easy payment processing system will allow for smooth transaction, track sales and so much.
Another great piece of software we recommend is Groove – this is a fully integrated CRM and Mail system – with options for websites and carts and more
We also use Go Cardless here and this allows us to automate the month repeating client bills – plus allows you to control the payment process – further removing the hassle and issues of being paid.
Accounting Software
As the numbers guy – this has to be a given for all small business in 2022. Further by 2024 all small business are going to need to have access to online software to meet the new tax filing requirements from HMRC
We are partners with Free Agent and Xero but we recommend Xero – as we find the interface to be clean and easy to use
The advantages include bank linking to avoid manual entry, invoices that can be emailed and then the system can do some of the chasing via timely reminders – coupled with real time reports allows entrepreneurs to make powerful decision.
As mentioned above you can also allow clients to pay you via their credit cards – yes there is a handling fee but does mean you are likely to get paid far quicker than having to get them to sort out a bank transfer etc – so as cash is often KING as I have been know to say a few times – better in your bank than theirs.
Websites and Social Media
This sector is awash with software tools – but we highly recommend Groove – we have built all our sites on this as well as our Blog, Shopping cart and now with the launch of Groove Mail – we are able to capture and automate the initial sales lead process
But it is also key to have strong and professional images – so Canva comes to the rescue on that front – the free is amazing and of course they have a paid version too
When an entrepreneur starts a business, the immediate concern is how much it will cost to set up.
Cost can sometimes seem like a barrier to entry for those hopeful business owners looking to get started on a budget. Luckily, evolving tech has provided many free alternatives to the paid tools other professionals use.
A couple of great examples of free are
Groove – website - CRM. - https://www.iwantgroovefunnels.com - this is an affiliate link
Canva – images
Dropbox – data storage and file sharing
Trello – task management
Google Business – free directory listing
Pure Chat – messenger bot for your website
Publer – post to social media like a pro
So for a small business to survive and thrive in the 2020’s you need to look at how tech can help free up your time but also not suck you down a rabbit hole as you look to try and understand how these things all work
I hope you found this months tip of use – for more do check back and also look at the other videos from this year and last.
I did want to close out with a little about us and how we can help and we put into action the points above – so showing they actual work….
As a business mentor – I help clients work in Real time, using plain speak so they can make powerful decisions – working together to always look for success and understand how best to help clients Grow, scale and profit faster which is why -
I have just launched a brand-new online course that uses all these strategies and I am calling it “Let the numbers decide” a 5 pillar programme to help all entrepreneurs launch/grow their new business idea and to overcome the fear of failing.
I would love you to visit www.letthenumbersdecide.com to learn more about the course
Plus, to help support the launch and my mission to help as many people become fluent in Accounting the Language of Business I am offer a free eBook and Discovery call
I hope you will join me this year, in finally taking the plunge and overcoming the Someday and launch your own successful business and allow us in a small way be part of the journey
Thank you for your interest in this month’s business coaching tip , and I look forward to working with you on launching/growing your business in 2022.