With all the uncertainty many businesses are facing in today’s post-pandemic world, organizations are looking at ways to improve their bottom lines, especially if they can do it themselves.

One great way to do that is to streamline business processes; however, many of these same organizations don’t know what tools to use for going about this, outside of hiring a consultant. 

If that’s you, then check this out the following list of 10 DIY steps for streamlining how your team accomplishes work.

1. Choose the Process Improvement (PI) Project

Decide where you want to start. Tackling a smaller project at first is a good idea, particularly if your staff doesn’t have the bandwidth or PI experience. Otherwise, you can choose a more challenging project.

2. Define & Document Project Scope

Determine the plan for improving the process and the timeframe you want to accomplish it in. Define it in as much detail as possible to prevent scope creep. 

3. Map the Process

Bring together your Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to document the workflow based on the “Current State” of the process. It’s important to have someone facilitate this activity who is experienced in process mapping; otherwise, the basis of your whole project could be built on a faulty foundation.

4. Estimate Process & Cycle Times

Estimate time frames and costs associated with the steps in the process. This is done to highlight areas where inefficiencies exist and unnecessary resources are being utilized.

5. Review the Process Map

Do this to ensure accuracy and completeness of the map, making sure that the process matches reality. The end goal is to get buy-in from your SMEs.

6. Improve the Process

Look at each section of the map to identify problems. The team needs to brainstorm and determine the most efficient way to perform the process that results in the most ideal outcomes for the customer. It’s also good to look at whether another person or team can more efficiently perform certain steps.

7. Develop Metrics, Controls & Tools

Determine areas you want to measure and create metrics around those areas. Develop tools and documentation to support the process, and develop a plan to control/prevent process deviations. 

8. Test & Revise the Process

“Try Storm” the process. Take a mock run through to see if it functions as intended. If it doesn’t, make adjustments so the work will flow as intended.

9. Prep for Process Roll-Out

Do these three things to ensure a successful roll-out and better process adoption:
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1. Make sure it’s thoroughly documented so that end users can properly follow it
2. Create a Communication Plan so end users are aware of the new process you’re rolling out
3. Train them so they’ll know how to use it

​10. Drive an Organizational Continuous Improvement Mindset

Create an expectation in the organization that you’ll continue to improve processes on a regular basis. It’s definitely not a one-time event, and driving CI starts at the top!

For those of you who would like to download an infographic of these same steps, click here.

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How many of you, after reading this list, are thinking that there’s no way you can undertake this on your own, without outside help?

Perhaps there are some of you who might be a bit mind-blown like Aston Kutcher in this video, when you think about trying to do this on your own.

Then consider this--as a process improvement expert, that’s right up my alley! I’d love to hear all about your challenges and help you brainstorm solutions.

If that sounds good, click the button below to schedule a chat!

​It goes without saying how important it is to have effective sales and marketing processes. However, many organizations struggle with how to improve them. Ultimately, it involves a combination of strategies, techniques, and continuous optimization efforts.

Here are 15 steps you can take to enhance your sales and marketing processes:

1. Define Your Target Audience

Identify your ideal customers and create detailed buyer personas. It’s essential to understand their needs, pain points, and preferences.

2. Set Clear Goals and Objectives

Define Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals for your sales and marketing efforts. Doing so helps align your teams and measure progress.

3. Implement a CRM System

Use a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to effectively organize and manage customer data, track interactions, and drive leads and opportunities.

4. Content Marketing

Develop high-quality, relevant content that educates, informs, and engages your target audience. Doing so can include blog posts, videos, infographics, and more.

5. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Optimize your website and content for search engines to improve organic search visibility and attract more relevant traffic.

6. Social Media Marketing

Utilize social media platforms to connect with your audience, share valuable content, and build brand awareness.

7. Email Marketing

Create personalized and segmented email campaigns to nurture leads, provide valuable information, and promote your products or services.

8. Sales Funnel Optimization

Map out your sales funnel and identify areas where potential customers might drop out. Optimize each stage of the funnel to increase conversion rates.

9. Lead Generation

Use inbound and outbound strategies to generate leads, such as content marketing, social media, paid advertising, and networking.

10. Sales Training and Enablement

Provide ongoing training and resources to your sales team to improve their skills, product knowledge, and ability to effectively communicate with potential customers.

11. Marketing Automation

Implement marketing automation tools to streamline repetitive tasks, nurture leads, and deliver personalized content at scale.

12. Data Analysis and Measurement

Regularly analyze Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track the effectiveness of your sales and marketing efforts. Use data to make informed decisions and optimize strategies.

13. Collaboration Between Sales and Marketing

Foster effective communication and collaboration between your sales and marketing teams. Alignment between these two departments is crucial for a seamless customer journey.

14. Customer Feedback and Refinement

Collect and analyze customer feedback to understand their needs and preferences. It’s essential to continuously refine your processes based on this feedback.

15. Stay Updated with Industry Trends

Keep up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in sales and marketing to stay ahead of the competition.


Remember, improving sales and marketing processes is an ongoing effort. Organizations that regularly assess your strategies, test new approaches, and adapt to changes in the market will be well on their way to more sustainable growth and success!

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An excellent way to improve your sales and marketing processes is to use a CRM that integrates the two, one that seamlessly performs most of the abovementioned approaches.

One Inbox is such a system. It replaces 15+ apps like Mailchimp, Calendly, Click Funnels, Kajabi, and Wix. And it does it all at a fraction of the cost of these apps and comparable CRMs.

To learn more, click the button below to schedule a demo!

By: Kathy Kent Toney, CEO & Founder of Kent Business Solutions

Ah, the sweet taste of victory! For Chiefs Kingdom, wins are always great, but an AFC Championship win leading to a back-to-back Super Bowl, that's even sweeter!  

We’re so blessed to have the Chiefs, a truly world-class organization, right here in Kansas City. And how fortunate we are to have Head Coach, Andy Reid!

Speaking of Andy, did you know he’s a process wizard? He’s an expert when it comes to following a consistent process that leads to success. In his own words, he said: “We focus on the process, we focus on what we can control.”

Let’s dive into a few real-life examples, inspired by Andy, that can help you in your organization:

1. Hold Regular Creative Brainstorming Sessions

At least once a week, he and his coaches brainstorm far-out-there play ideas and whiteboards them. Eric Bieniemy, the current Offensive Coordinator, puts it this way: "[There’s] no such thing as a bad idea, just as long as no one gets their feelings hurt. Some are better than others." And Andy is pretty hard to top when it comes to ideas.”

Lots of times, he’ll find things that happened decades ago. For those of you who are familiar with the Shift the Rose Bowl Parade Right play in the Super Bowl LIV…that’s a great example. It dates way back to the 1948 Rose Bowl! Chad Henne, the back-up quarterback, once said: “Who sits here and finds these?” That’s Andy for you!

Lessons Learned:

Involve your staff, the creative minds in your organization, to brainstorm ideas. Be sure to think outside of the box. Hold regular meetings around this…put these sessions on your calendars.

Also, don’t overlook resurrecting historical practices or ideas that have worked and modernize them. Then flesh out these ideas to prepare for the next step.

2. Hold Regular Meetings to Review Creative Ideas

Every Tuesday, Andy Reid jots these ideas down on 5x7 cards that he passes out to his quarterbacks for review. Then, the group picks out a favorite or two, and the more outrageous, the better! Next, he tries them out at the next game.  

The Chiefs players love to look for his reaction when he uses that play...it’s usually a wink and smile to the onlookers. 😊

Lessons Learned:

Again, schedule a recurring meeting on your calendar for reviewing creative ideas. Then, review them with key leaders. Have them tailor down your list for implementation in your organization. 

3. Do the Necessary Prep to Be Game-Ready, Every Time

Andy’s dedication to his work is legendary. He’s well known across the league for the amount of prep he puts into getting his team ready for every game. Here’s an example of that:

Brad Childress tells the story of when he worked with Andy years ago. Every Friday evening, without fail, Andy would group text both him and then Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy two options of the 15 opening plays for the next Sunday’s game. He could always expect the text, and it usually came during dinnertime! Then, they would meet the next day at 7:00 AM to go over the options.

Lessons Learned:

Set up a regular cadence of important activities, basically a process, that can lead to game-changing results. Be sure to involve key leaders to review game plans and adjust if needed, based on their feedback.
 
These examples from Andy are just the tip of the iceberg…I’m sure he has many other systems that he consistently follows. In the end, his diligence to focusing on process is legendary for building winning teams.

Just like Andy Reid’s persistence in following a weekly process, organizations that excel in today’s challenging business environment do the same. Streamlined, robust business processes that are consistently followed produce:

• Consistently positive results
• Significant cost savings
• More satisfied employees and, in turn, more satisfied customers  

If your organization is interested in sprucing up its business processes, so you can more consistently win in all you do, I’d love to have a chat!

Click here to get a time scheduled.

‘til next time,

Kathy