Streamlined. Simple. Efficient. These three words are ones that can make overwhelmed and overworked business owners take notice. If your routine business processes were streamlined maybe you would have time to devote to other areas of your business. Oftentimes, the upper-level thinking and work that could take your business to the next level get put on the back burner because completing routine processes are a more immediate need. These processes are essential to keep things running but they will not stimulate growth on their own. In order to get out of the cycle of spending your time on the immediate, as opposed to the significant, you must find a way to streamline your routine business processes. The top three ways you can do that is through outsourcing, automation, and assigning tasks.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing is a great option for streamlining your routine business processes because it takes the burden of completing these processes off your plate. Technology has created an environment where a large number of tasks can be done online. Outsourcing takes advantage of the latest advances in technology to help businesses get more done in less time. You can assign tasks to an outsourcing agency and leave them to the work. You can also collaborate occasionally, regularly, or even in real time with your outsourcing team. This provides a high level of flexibility and allows you to develop confidence in the outsourcer’s ability to provide you with quality work.

Automation

Automation can make a significant difference in the level of time and attention you have to spend on routine business processes. When you can fully automate a process there is some initial setup time and then you can basically forget about it. For example, you only have to create a custom signature for your business emails one time and then it will automatically attach to every email you send. You do not have to worry about including all of your businesses contact information at the end of each email because it is automatic. This is a simple example of an automated process. Some processes can only be partially automated but it can still help you significantly increase efficiency.

Assign tasks

You can also streamline your routine business processes by assigning some of those tasks to employees. The habit of doing everything yourself is an easy one for business owners to develop. But, as your business grows, it will become more and more difficult to have your hands in every element of the business. Look around at the people who are already working in your business. Can you assign some of the routine business processes you are currently handling to them? If you spread the tasks out amongst more than one employee it will allow for the tasks to get completed without eating up too much of any one person’s time. And the best part is that you will have time to focus on the areas of your business that only you can handle.

The time you spend streamlining your routine business processes will pay off over and over. It can save you money and more importantly it can free up time for you to focus on areas of growth. Outsourcing, automation and assigning tasks to employees are three ways you can start streamlining your routine business processes today.