crm workflows: The secret weapon to building efficiencies for Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
Being an entrepreneur means wearing multiple hats and juggling end-less responsibilities. In the small business world, time, energy, and brain space are precious commodities. Imagine having an extra team member that doesn't require a salary – that's the impact of building out a workflow with automation via a CRM system!
In this blog post, we explore what a CRM is, define workflows, and how implementing them can change your entire business operations.
Understanding CRMs and Workflow
A CRM, or Customer Relationship Management system, is software designed to consolidate and enhance interactions with clients, leads, and contractors. It is essentially a centralized hub for managing contacts, communications, and all other aspects of your business relationships.
A workflow is a series of steps that take a relationship from initiation to completion. These steps can be automated which reduces repetitive, manual tasks and ensures consistency.
USING Workflows for Lead Management
One of the most useful ways to use a workflow is in your lead management. By creating a lead form attached to a workflow that you can embed on your website, potential clients can easily enter into your sales process. The workflow can then connect with them, provide them with information, and engage them to establish the relationship. These timely and thoughtful steps increase the likelihood of converting leads into clients.
Efficient Client Onboarding
Streamlining client onboarding is another game-changer. A well-crafted workflow can guide clients through choosing preferences on a proposal, signing contracts, making payments, filling out questionnaires, and scheduling calls. If full automation makes you a bit uncomfortable, you can use workflows to set up canned emails that require your approval so you can personalize them before they get sent. This not only saves you time but also reflects your brand as professional and responsive, making a positive impression on clients as you start your working relationship.
Client Portals for Enhanced User Experience
CRM systems often include client portals, offering a centralized location for clients to access documents, invoices, and forms from you all in one spot. This is a way to have a user-friendly interface without having to hire a developer to add an expensive custom version to your website. Having a client portal enhances the client experience throughout your partnership. Everything they need is in one spot making it more likely for them to refer others to your business and become a repeat client.
As part of your workflow, you can turn on the client’s workflow and share their login credentials so they know how to access it.
Consolidating Information for Easy Access
A key benefit to using a CRM is having all information about each client in one spot. Contact details, notes, call logs, and even email correspondence are stored, creating a comprehensive project profile. This proves invaluable when referencing past conversations or details, saving you time and effort in the future.
The benefit of using a workflow is that when you send emails and forms through it, they are automatically saved to the client’s profile.
Managing Team Onboarding with Ease
Beyond client management, workflows can also be used for onboarding team members or contractors. From contract signing and questionnaire submissions to sharing insurance documents and W9s, workflows streamline the process. Training materials, videos, and scheduling training sessions can all be included, making the onboarding experience efficient and straightforward for both you and your new support team members.
OUR RECOMMENDED CRM
Dubsado* is our choice for a CRM for entrepreneurs because it acts as a centralized hub, combining numerous platform functionalities into one system. Everything shared in this blog post is within its capabilities. The higher-level paid version is competitive in the market, and the returns in terms of time, energy, and mental bandwidth are more than worth it.
Want to learn more about workflows? Download our free guide for benefits, checklists, and more!
NEED ASSISTANCE? TRY OUR WORKFLOW SERVICE
For those new to CRM systems or Dubsado, setting up workflows might seem daunting. That's where our workflow service comes in. Take advantage of our experience and expertise as a Certified Dubsado Specialist. Our 5-step program begins with discovery and design, working closely with you to tailor the system to your specific needs. We then work behind the scenes on implementation and testing. Finally, we train you on using and updating the workflow in the future.
In summary
In this world of small business ownership and entrepreneurship, where your to-do list is never complete, efficiency is your secret weapon. Implementing workflows not only saves time, energy, and brain space but also enhances lead management, client experiences, and onboarding processes.
It's like having a reliable virtual team member that never takes a break and doesn’t require payment!
Invest in setting up workflows. The time will be worth it in the end!
*We are an affiliate with Dubsado so we may receive a commission if you sign up using the links in this article. Plus, we’ll share some of the savings…you’ll receive 30% off your first month or year. 🎊 When you sign up for Dubsado, you get to enjoy the free version until you get 3 clients. This gives you as long as you need to get things set up before you start paying.🎊 🎊