Ever feel like you are suffering from deja vu every time you start a new assignment? A template or two may solve this. Take a moment to think about your business. Are there documents/forms/interactions that you repeat often? I bet there are.
Do you have multiple lines of business? You can create one for each or better yet look at the synergies between them and maybe one will do. Think you don't have time?
Let me ask you this, how much time are you spending reinventing the wheel? I bet you have better things you could be doing. Think of it this way, the less time reinventing the wheel the more time engaging new customers. The added bonus is that as your business grows those working with those working with/for you can use the template that get things going with customers the same way you would, freeing you up for in-depth client discussions, business building activities and most importantly, time away from the business.
With the new template, faster intake + more time for business building activities = more $
Why create one when so many templates exist? Great question. Here's the thing, I don't know about you but the templates are great guides for getting me started but in the end, I make so many modifications to meet my business processes that the original template is not recognizable. Here's what works for some customers.
1. Brainstorm
Sit down with a a blank sheet of paper or open blank document in your favorite not taking software. Don't think of formatting, sequence or anything. Simply jot down everything that comes to mind when you think about your customers. Their industry, their goals, which services they've used of yours in the past and currently. You should start to see a pattern and categories.
2. Organize
Now that you have all of this information, go back through and organize it. The patterns and categories get you started now just move the information around to group by them.
3. Format
Your are almost done. Take a look at it, is it easy to navigate? The categories can be section headers and the questions may need to be rearranged for logic sequence. Lastly, add some branding as you may want to distribute to a customer to fill out and you want them to remember who you are.
There you go a new template that streamlines a business process thereby saving you time and money.
What repeatable processes do you have in your business that could be streamlined?
