Running a business, you must be aware by now that there are certain processes that are repetitive. In this post, I will show you why you need cloud-based tools like Comindware Tracker to help you run your business.
I run Previso Media, as well as several online magazines and blogs, and there are so many things to do in a day. Fortunately, some of those things are actually repetitive work.
Let’s talk about this using an example.
Running several WordPress-powered blogs, I use the exact same processes. Here is one – article publishing process:
- Write/edit articles: Working on headlines, fixing grammatical/factual errors, editing the article flow, and so on.
- Add formatting: Titling, heading, cutting long paragraphs, bolding important words, linking to sources, etc.
- Adding images: Finding, resizing and retouching images, as well as optimizing them for web (image size/file size considerations.)
- Adding proper tags and categories, as well as working on the metas for on-page SEO purposes.
- Publish!
…and those are just one process. There are others, like article promotion, back-end management (fixing coding issues, adding/removing plugins, etc.), and so on.
…and yes, those are just for managing the blog operational. What about email management? Contacting clients? Answering requests? Pitching services?
Things can get so complicated. That’s why I focus on outsourcing and automation. I always do. Let’s talk about both.
Outsourcing
I currently have 3 people helping me run the day-to-day operation of my business. I have 2 others whom I contact when I need occasional help. When I need something urgent, I just crowdsource to more people.
And guess what, I never met with any of them personally. All of them are working and living in different countries. So, yes – my business is run by a virtual team, on a contract basis. I have zero full-time employee.
Automation
I currently use several tools to help me automate some processes. For example, I use Dlvr.it to automate the distribution of my content to multiple social media channels. I also use an aggregation service which has helped me distribute my articles to other sites for exposure.
I also use IFTTT for some simple but important task automation, such as auto backup my blogs’ database and files; auto-notify me via SMS whenever a scheduled post has been published, and so on.
I go to the cloud for outsourcing and automation
As you can probably see, I run my entire business online. Things are a bit complicated in the past, but thankfully, it’s easier than ever today to run my business via the Internet.
I am a big fan of the cloud, and I use several cloud services to help me run my business. Other than the tools I mentioned above, I also use Skype, Google apps, Dropbox, WP Manage and Comindware Tracker.
All are important cloud tools for me, but I am particularly keen on what Comindware Tracker can offer me. Let’s talk a bit about this app, shall we?
As I mentioned before, I run many processes for my business, and I used to use standalone apps to manage them. However, there is one big problem if I continue to do that: As I expect my business to continue to grow, what if I need to connect one process to another in the future when each of them is growing larger and becoming more complex?
I need a software that can universally connect every process, and that’s where Comindware Tracker enters to save the day!
Comindware Tracker is a workflow automation software allowing you to automate and streamline processes. The universal BPM tool is flexible and easy to use: I just need to grab a process and move it to a better place in the workflow using a visual tool. Calculations and allocations of resources are done for you by the system.
Not only flexible and easy to use, Comindware Tracker enables you to have a bird’s eye view on your processes, allowing you to see how different processes inter-linking with each other – and make the necessary changes on the fly of required.
It’s a valuable bpm tool and I recommend you to give it a try (Note: I’m not affiliated with the software.)
If you are looking for more tools, here is a couple of resources for you:
- http://www.sproutspire.com/automate-your-business-using-online-tools/
- http://www.business2community.com/marketing-automation/14-marketing-automation-tools-can-save-precious-time-0936774#!bkYiz7
Takeaway
There are some visible benefits of running your business in the cloud: Improved collaboration, increased productivity, and enhanced flexibility.
Let’s put it this way: When your business is running in the cloud, you can practically work anytime/anywhere you want.
If you are interested in doing what I’m doing, I suggest you to start identifying the processes that are repetitive and non-critical – and outsource them to your virtual team. You can also seek the help of tools which can help you automate certain processes.
Please let me know how it goes!
