One of my most vivid memories of starting my business  is of sitting in the newly rented office trying to read instructions on how to set up the broadband.  It wasn't working and I couldn't just dial "0" and summon an IT geek to sort it out.  I'd simply never had to do this stuff before.

I realised at that moment that **I** was the IT Manager as well as salesperson, receptionist, chief bottle washer and accountant.  It was all a bit overwhelming, and it suddenly dawned on me just what I was taking on!

And when you aren't a techncial person, you end up spending money unnecessarily on either products or support that you don't need - because PC World's objective isn't to fix your laptop, it's to sell you a new one. 

And I'm not alone - although I'm not an IT person, I often get asked by clients how to sort their anti-virus or why Windows Vista is evil... Thankfully there is an answer - a virtual IT manager, who's on your side and will give you an honest answer on your issues. 

For your own IT Manager: http://virtuallysorted.iTreeScotland.com

 

Last month we spoke a little about systems and good practice in designing systems.  This month we thought we'd share a little more about how Virtually Sorted puts systems in place for companies. 

Above is our call answering system - this is the system we have devised for showing clients how their calls will be handled.  There is another system in place which the VAs use to check that they've set the system up properly and they deliver your messages correctly every single time you get a call. 

Most of the work we do with solopreneurs and new businesses revolves around designing a system, because up until now there has been no "way we do things here" type document and the business owner has probably kept tasks inside their head so no-one else knows how to do anything.  Unless you document tasks, you are doomed to doing them forever!

So how do you create effective systems which work in your business?

Well, because each business is unique, there is no magic formula.  But we have designed workflow plans for a variety of small businesses including: beauty therapists, property companies, consultants, training companies, online retailers, craft companies, travel agents and many more...

Because the systems are documented, each client gets the same customer experience, standards are raised and it simplifies the process, so you have more time.  You can even automate or outsource some of these procedures. 

For example, we have one client who wanted his customers to get a postcard a few days after he first speaks to them.  We suggested a system where he immediately prepares the postcard when he speaks to them, and puts a 2nd class stamp on it and posts it on his way home - hey presto, the customer gets a postcard 3 days after speaking to him. 

And we would like to design a FREE workflow for your business.  We will:

• Discuss your business with you, in a free 30 minute consultation
• Create a workflow of how you do business in a visual format
• Document procedures and follow ups
  

Book your session with our business systems team, email info@virtuallysorted.com or call 0845 867 8088.