Tip 37: Automate

Amazing things can be done with automation these days. Try using automation to your advantage to make things easier for your customers.

I was filled with glee one afternoon when buying routine toiletries at my local Rite Aid pharmacy. The store made it so the coupons they gave me were automatically applied to what I bought. I didn’t have to bring in the coupon that was given to me from a previous purchase (which I almost always forget to do). By swiping my rewards card, the system was able to recognize that I had previously received a coupon, and gave me the credit automatically. I was delighted! It doesn’t take much to make me happy!
Lots of different businesses have taken advantage of companies like Paypal, Square, and Stripe to automate payments from customers. No longer do customers have to worry about writing out checks, putting them an envelope, pasting a stamp on them, and actually dropping them off at the mailbox to pay for something. They can quickly transfer funds to where it needs to go without ever having to leave the couch.

Automate processes for the convenience of your customers, but don’t lose your human touch when you do. You can be both convenient and personable. You just have to put on your thinking cap to ensure you figure out a way to do both well.
Incorporating automation in your business will likely cost you some dollars. So to make sure you get the most bang for your buck, first automate the things that will have the biggest impact on your customers. Then work down your prioritized list as your finances allow.

Make a list of at least three tasks you can automate in your business to make things more convenient for your customers. Prioritize the list in order of impact to your customer.
For each of the items on your list of tasks to automate, research three companies who can provide the services you are looking for.