A business process is a series of activities, steps, or tasks that help to achieve a specific organizational goal. It is often referred to as a workflow and comprises activities, decisions, and tasks that are necessary to produce a desired outcome. Business processes can be automated or manual, and they can be structured or unstructured. Business processes are essential for any organization to achieve its desired objectives.

Assess the systems you have in place. In each area of your business you have a process you go through when you do it, probably without much thought. It is often hard to think how you might make something easier or more streamlined because we are so close to our business and on auto pilot for many tasks. Consider enlisting a colleague or another small business owner to help to discuss how you are currently doing things. Pick one area to start with and make a plan to assess each one during the next 6 months.

Accounting - accounts payable and receivable, taxes paid, payroll

Marketing - graphic design, social media, print, digital marketing

Customer Service - email support, phone, text, social media

Communication - internal and external, staff, vendors, contractors

Project Management - timelines, due dates, notifications, completion

Sales - appointment setting, proposals, contracts

Create processes for standard tasks and tasks that you perform regularly so that you can save time and be more productive. In addition if the process is clear, it is more easily delegated when you are able to do so. and set up one or two new ones. Include links to sites or software that help to accomplish that specific task.

For example: Adding a customer to Mailchimp (this could be automated but if its not yet)

Log into Mailchimp. Username: xxx Password: xxx

Click on Audience Menu on the left side.

Click on top right dropdown Manage Audience

Choose Add a subscriber

Enter customer information and click Save/Subscribe

Developing processes takes a bit of time, but if you create it as you do it next time, it’s well worth the time. Small changes over time are more effective and sustainable.

Delegating tasks in your business can be a great way to maximize efficiency and free up your time for more important tasks. Depending on the size of your business, you can delegate a variety of tasks, such as customer service, inventory management, marketing and advertising, website design, data entry, accounting, bookkeeping, and even some of the day-to-day operations. Delegation can also help you expand your team and make sure that tasks are completed in a timely manner. It's important to remember to delegate tasks to people who are qualified to do them, and to make sure you provide clear instructions and expectations.

Don't be afraid to outsource tasks that you don't have the time or expertise to handle, so that you can focus on the most important aspects of your business.