3 Ways to Simplify Your Operations to Multiply Your Results
By Melanie Benson Strick | December 30th, 2009A big step in reinventing your success in 2010 will be simplifying the way you run your business. There are many different approaches that we cover in the Fast Track to Lifestyle Business coaching program (like eliminating unprofitable products or services to streamlining your systems.)
Here are three areas I recently up leveled:
Merchant Account
This might not seem like an obvious area to simplify but not having the right merchant account can cause massive bookkeeping challenges or cause delays to your revenues hitting your bank account. About eight months ago I started noticing that our merchant account would take 5 – 7 days from time of processing an order till the time it hit our bank account. That is just unacceptable.
So we made the switch to a new merchant account that understands our industry, has 24 hour processing time and bases their transaction cap on our request, not their industry standard. Their fees are much lower too which makes for a sweet deal.
Customer Information Management
For three years my team struggled with having three separate technologies to keep up to date – the online shopping cart, the contact management system and our project management tool. Information was constantly being “lost”, duplication of effort was expensive and frustrating, and the ability to actually follow up properly with a prospect was a pie in the sky idea.
After learning of InfusionSoft, we decided to make the switch (and not without quite a bit of due diligence.) Here are the ways InfusionSoft simplifies our operations:
- I can now look at a contact in InfusionSoft and know every product purchased, email received or contact with my company
- I can process orders, customize a sale price or unique transaction request much more efficiently
- Follow up sequences can be customized to include phone calls, direct mail or attachments (can’t do this in 1SC or Aweber.)
- Deliverability rates are much better
- InfusionSoft integrates with my Outlook so any tasks or calendar items assigned can by synced to my desktop. I can also send an email through my Outlook and tag it to the record in InfusionSoft (no extra steps.)
- I can segment my list to target people who have not bought a product or service with the click of two buttons (rather than manually unsubscribing people.)
- The affiliate system is customizable by product so we can run multiple affiliate campaigns.
Now all of this does mean that some changes need to happen:
- You need someone who knows InfusionSoft to transition your current system and maintain it
- There are a lot of ways to use the system so you’ll need some coaching/guidance (we documented all of our set up to share with our InfusionSoft clients.)
I know many people feel it’s an expensive system but actually its not. They have eliminated the upfront fee and now your monthly fee is based on what modules you use. I’m paying the same amount I was paying for Professional Cart Solutions and calendar/contact manager in WebEx.
Team Management
One of the areas many entrepreneurs struggle with is balancing having people to get projects done with the energy it requires to manage all those people and projects. If you are a creative, results-oriented person you may not be well suited for management.
Eliminate the confusion, frustration and overwhelm in getting projects done by having someone else manage them. For instance, if you have a team of employees or contractors, you might want to explore these three options:
1. Use better tracking software like Central Desktop, BaseCamp or SmartSheets. By having a way to assign and track deliverables it eliminates mis-communication and dropped tasks.
2. Hire a project or business manager to oversee this function in the business. Remember, you are the visionary and creative – don’t get caught up on the weeds of managing implementation if you can help it.
3. Outsource your operations to an Online Business Manager. You may want to keep things simple and have someone else who is an expert manage your business for you through their team. It can keep your costs down and increase efficiencies.
I’ve made several adjustments over the last couple of years to remove me more and more from the day to day operations so I can focus on the vision, strategic alliances and delivering programs.
Keep in mind that having a smooth running business is actually just as important as having leads and clients. If you are looking for ways to achieve your big vision faster as an entrepreneur, check out the Fast Track to Lifestyle Business program starting January. You’ll be shocked at how much you grow by simplifying how you get there.
What are some of the ways that you have simplified? Be sure to share them in the comments below.
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December 30th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
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December 30th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Thanks for sharing this info, Melanie. It’s really helpful for those of us considering a switch to InfusionSoft.
December 30th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Melanie,
Thanks for sharing your experience and review of Infusionsoft here on the blog regarding . It’s definitely nice to see the steps you’re taking (and the benefits you’re seeing) in streamlining your CRM and email marketing needs.
We’re always working on improving the ease and use of our software for new users to transition smoothly without requiring additional setup consulting. Definitely stay tuned for what’s in store this spring.
Glad to see you’re poised to dominate the market in 2010! Happy New Year!
~joseph
December 30th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
[...] 3 Ways to Simplify Your Operations to Multiply Your Results :: The … [...]
December 31st, 2009 at 7:38 am
Melanie,
As an Infusionsoft user and Certified Marketing Automation Coach I couldn’t agree with you more on all three points, but especially #2! Being an entrepreneur is tough enough without having to juggle multiple systems that may not play well together.
Hope to see you at Infusioncon. I’ll have a table there and will be speaking in March.
Wes
December 31st, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Melanie~
You are clearly channeling wisdom from the Great Beyond.
Happy New Year’s Eve!!! Blessings to you for a spectacular 2010.
On the long drive to Las Vegas for Christmas this year, I had some amazing insights as I reflected on what was accomplished, what remained unfinished and more importantly… why. With the blinding realization that I had done absolutely nothing to launch my second company, came the clarity that I was unwilling to wear 15 hats to launch a new business and then slowly turn over each function as the business grew. That model works fine when you’ve got nothing but time and energy on your hands and a prayer in your pocket/bank account. THAT hasn’t been my situation for quite a number of years, yet it was my success formula that has NEVER failed me. Dateline 2009 – I’m the owner of a company that is just about to cross the 7-figure/year mark; I’ve got tons of creative energy, as much time as I choose to make for those endeavors. In that light I just couldn’t see myself learning Frontpage, shopping carts, or any other aspect of an online business.
Finally, it hit me that I don’t have to “start over” in order to “start up.” Instead of hiring a VA, I could hire a “fill-in-the-blank” person. However, I didn’t even seem to know enough about the online business industry to know the name of who I needed to hire.
By the time I reached my destination and was ready to cash-in at the casino, I had written out a job description for this amazing Person O’ Implementation. It’s been just over a week and today in your article you handed me the most obvious title that would never have occurred to me – Online Business Manager!
Thanks Melanie – you truly are the Million Dollar Lifestyle Coach! I appreciate all of your tips and tidbits, I love your articles and insights and I am truly grateful for your consciousness that is so deeply anchored in CEO-style thinking. You kept this CEO from slipping back into old renegade employee-like behavior.
2009 is finishing with more clarity than I could have imagined and 2010 is sure to be free of overwhelm– thanks to you.
January 1st, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Wes, thanks for the input. Yes I’m attending InfusionCon as well and look forward to meeting you there! Melanie
January 1st, 2010 at 1:25 pm
You are welcome. I love InfusionSoft and actually wish I would have made the switch sooner…the less data you have the easier the transition! =-)
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Thanks Lorraine, so grateful that our lives have reconnected after so many years. I love your insight that you don’t have to start over to start up. I think we all have a tendency to throw the baby out with the bathwater…so why not just take what is working and build from there!
Happy 2010!
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Thanks for stopping by Joseph, it’s great to feel the power of getting things streamlined, look forward to seeing even more benefits from InfusionSoft.
February 16th, 2010 at 12:34 am
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May 7th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
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