The expression “time is money” is used so frequently that you wouldn’t be wrong to call it a cliche. Nevertheless, it has become a universal expression for a good reason. No matter the industry you work or operate in, making money requires everyone in the process to trade time in exchange. Lost or wasted time is likely the most overlooked way small businesses lose money when operating. Poor workflow is the most significant time-waster for the majority of entrepreneurs. Wasted time is something small companies simply cannot afford. These workflow issues often manifest themselves in unnecessary meetings or redundant tasks, all team management problems.

Sometimes the problem is communication, especially for appointments. Even the necessary meetings can cause a lot of time-wasting. The inefficiency starts with the back and forth emails to schedule the appointment. Next, there are reminders and following up after you confirm and schedule the work. Last, and perhaps most tedious, is checking your other calendars and keeping track of the tasks or other engagements that may affect your plans.

1. Use instant messaging

The easiest way to get around the snail pace of email communication is to use instant messaging. After making initial contact, the remaining communication to schedule the appointment can happen over an instant messaging platform. This way, unnecessary messages won’t flood your inbox that you could have addressed more quickly with IM.

2. Use your mailbox provider’s built-in scheduling tools

Many mailbox providers like Gmail and Yahoo! Mail have calendars as part of their suite of apps. You can schedule your meetings, adjust dates and times as necessary through these.

Google Workspace does a great job integrating its suite of apps. Once you set appointments or events on your Google calendar, the application will send you notifications (or emails) to remind you as the date and time approaches. For many, the Google Workspace will be the most convenient because they already use one or more of Google’s products, like Gmail.

3. Hire a Virtual Assistant

This one is a no-brainer. When the workload is too big or complex for you to handle alone, get help! With a virtual assistant, you have someone to take your calls and manage your schedule remotely. A good virtual assistant will take all that stress off your shoulders, enabling you to focus on running and growing your company.

4. Use scheduling apps

Apps like Calendly do the work of a virtual assistant, at light speed, at a fraction of the cost. Your clients or team members can schedule meetings with a few clicks. Rescheduling is just as easy. All your synced calendars will be updated automatically. Additionally, you can automate reminders and follow-ups. You don’t even have to spend time sending thank you messages.

These powerful features are the main reason Calendly is a prominent feature in our Dominate Tech Software Playbook.

The paid version of Calendly has even more helpful features. However, the free version may be more than enough to give your business a significant boost. One conversation with our consultants will help you learn what tools are best for your enterprise.

There are several other software tools that you can use to solve a wide range of problems that your small business may encounter. Stay tuned for more tips on our next blog post. Learn how to use the best software to optimise your business processes and maximise profit – Book a consultation with Dominate Tech NOW!