It’s an exciting time to be a small business owner. The internet empowers you to serve and sell to clients nationwide and globally. Social media helps you build engaged communities. Technology streamlines, automates, and gathers in-depth data and insights. Automation helps you market and communicate 24/7. That is, if you are leveraging these advances to their full potential. Since many startups aren’t sure where to begin, they invest in business process consulting to propel their business forward.
What is Business Consulting?
There are a variety of external subject-matter experts who provide specialized consulting and coaching services. Although you are also a subject-matter expert, you may still be learning the ins and outs of running a business.
Consultants provide you with a strategic roadmap to achieve measurable objectives. This often includes areas of opportunity you have yet to consider or explore. Coaches also work within proven strategies, but their role is to guide you in doing and being your best. This might include the mindset shifts required to better innovate, communicate, and define your objectives.
Do Consulting and Coaching Really Help?
Startup business statistics are daunting, but don’t be discouraged as an external expert can drastically increase your odds of sustainability. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) finds that:
30% of startups fail in their first 24 months
50% of new businesses fail in their first 5 years
70% of businesses with mentors sustain beyond 5 years
Even with innovative business partners and a talented team, you don’t know what you don’t know. This learning curve wastes time and labor dollars that you don’t have as a new business. With the right consultants and coaches, you access goal-oriented mentorship.
There are many subject-matter experts to choose from. Let’s dive into how business process consulting can be of benefit.
#1 Leveraging Technology
You are likely to utilize everything from Google Business Solutions to Microsoft 365®, project management software, and industry-specific software. However, you may not be leveraging technology to its full potential.
Even the software we are all familiar with, such as Word and Google Docs and Google and Outlook calendars, have features and functions that can streamline, simplify, and optimize daily operations. For example, you may not be organizing and sharing your files in the most efficient manner.
Software also empowers you to automate your business processes. When properly integrated, designated data will transfer to all relevant departments and databases. This puts technology to work for you and saves you tremendously in labor dollars.
Last but not least, integrating your technology provides you with the ability to generate in-depth and real-time data and analytics. Your data and analytics empower you to identify new trends, adjust current strategies, and make informed decisions in every area of your business.
#2 Multi-Channel Communications
Consumers are constantly connected to their devices and searching for products and services at all hours of the day. When they find your business online, it’s your job to ensure that communication is as fast and as easy as possible.
This means offering any combination of:
Local phone number
Toll-free phone number
Social media messaging
Email and email automation
Text messaging and text automation
24/7 text, live chat, and customer support
AI live chat
In addition to providing a variety of communication channels, a business process consultant can help you implement real-time communications automation.
Statistics show that:
The average lead response time is 47 hours
Only 27% of leads receive a response
A response time of 5 minutes generates 8x more leads
There are a variety of ways to implement 24/7 and automated communication in a budget-friendly manner for startups and small businesses. Your consultant will help you explore your top options.
#3 Sustainability Strategies
It’s exciting launching your own business. Finding innovative new ways to disrupt your industry. Making the key decisions. As exciting as it is, it can also be a lot of pressure. While risk is inherent you can drastically minimize risk by utilizing proven strategies.
As mentioned earlier, 70% of all businesses that sustain beyond 5 years seek the perspective of an outside expert. Whether a mentor or a subject-matter consultant, they can help you safeguard against the most common roadblocks to sustainability.
In the modern marketplace, strategies are heavily driven by establishing and maintaining your online presence. The real-time data you gather helps to segment your demographics and communicate in ways that build trust and brand loyalty.
Digital sustainability strategies include:
Visually engaging website design
Organic search engine optimization
Targeted social media marketing
Targeted online ads
Automated lead generation
Segmented email marketing
Audience retargeting campaigns
Advising on digital products and services
And more
Ready to Learn More About Propelling Your Business?
If you would like to learn more about business process consulting, we invite you to reach out to the team at TekRemedy. We specialize in utilizing technology to launch and grow your small business!