There’s an Automation Tool for That!

BY LUANN NIGARA

When we started Window Works, CRM systems, CAD and augmented reality weren’t in the picture. We weren’t even faxing yet! But we’ve always been on the automation train, creating systems for efficiency and using technology to streamline our work.

Automation saves money and time, increases efficiency and productivity, eliminates costly errors and informs business decisions. Yet, I’ve noticed I’m often looking for that magic automation tool that can do everything. (Wouldn’t that be nice?)

On a recent episode of “A Well-Designed Business,” I had an a-ha moment. Hilaire Pickett Martin of Design Lines shared how she uses Asana to streamline communication with her trade partners— but only three of them. She said Asana worked wonderfully for three of her trade partners, but it wasn’t a fit for the rest. And that’s when I realized: Whenever I came across a tech tool, if it didn’t work for every aspect of the criteria it was supposedly for, I dismissed it. By not automating a process that needed improvement, I wasted time and lost profitability opportunities. It’s like refusing to buy the perfect pair of sandals because you can’t wear them in the snow too!

With ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence advancements, a single tool for every application might be on the way. But until then, if you’re waiting for that perfect automation tool, you’re missing out. Let’s take a page from Hilaire’s book and consider automation options that are right for specific applications.

Workflow Management Software

Whether you’re a solopreneur or you head up a larger business with many moving parts, workflow software is a must. It helps you track projects, houses important project details and ensures everything is following the right flow.

Popular options include:

■ Mydoma Studio

■ Trello

■ ClickUp

■ Asana

■ Monday.com

■ Wrike

The best fit depends on how many employees, clients and vendors you have, whether you like to see things visually or in a list and the information you want to access. Just be sure to stay flexible. We switched from Asana to Monday. com—and though I wasn’t a fan of learning a new platform, switching systems proved the right decision.

Accounting and Invoicing Software

The “red pen system” Vin and I use to check off paid invoices has served us well for years. But if invoicing and accounting is eating up your time, consider investing in software that makes it easy to track and send invoices, track expenses and view unpaid bills.

The most commonly used options include:

■ QuickBooks

■ FreshBooks

■ Wave

■ Zoho

Social Media Scheduling

It’s a visual world. People want to see successful projects. They want to see your brand’s story. But that doesn’t mean you should be tied to your computer all day, posting on social media. With social media schedulers, you can set it and forget it!

Popular platforms include:

■ Hootsuite

■ Later

■ Buffer

■ Flick

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software

As you scale your business from a few clients to dozens, or hundreds, you need to track leads and manage client information. But manual processes and spreadsheets will slow you down. That’s where a CRM system comes in handy. CRM systems let you zoom out and look at data about your clients, informing you on how to move the business forward.

Popular CRM systems include:

■ MarketSharp

■ Salesforce

■ HubSpot

■ Pipedrive

■ Monday.com (doubles as workflow software!)

Email Automation

Email software eliminates lots of tedious tasks while letting you create welcome sequences, email flows for clients who fill out a form, follow-ups, testimonial requests and more.

Email automation options include:

■ Mailchimp

■ ActiveCampaign

■ HubSpot (combo CRM + email automation is a strategic choice)

■ ConvertKit

Design Visualization Software

There’s lots of value in showing clients what their project will look like. Good design software improves the experience, facilitates decisions and cuts down on “oops” moments when something doesn’t look the way you planned.

Automation tools in this area include:

■ Duke Renders

■ AutoCAD

■ SketchUp

■ Cedreo

Measuring and Quoting Tools

Thirty years ago, if you said we’d have augmented reality measurement apps I would have thought you’d gone off the rails. These cutting-edge tools have changed the game by dramatically speeding measurements and generating instant quotes—a big productivity win!

Options for measuring tools include:

■ EasyMeasure

■ Photo Measures

■ PLNAR

■ MagicPlan

Options for window treatment-specific quoting tools include:

■ Solatech

■ MyBlindCo

■ Quoterite

Where Should You Invest Your Time and Money?

Adding a new automation tool requires spending time and money upfront, but it will save both in the long run. These tips will help you decide where to invest for the best return:

■ Think about the tasks you dread doing. If you could take one off your plate, what would it be?

■ Think about tasks that don’t require your visionary brain. Prioritize high-level, valuable tasks and let automation handle tedious work.

■ Think about where you run into problems. Are you making measurement errors or invoicing mistakes?

Selecting the right technology isn’t about finding something that works for everything. It’s about getting clear on the tasks or processes you need to improve and finding technology that tackles one of them, increasing your productivity, efficiency and profitability. When you choose tools that free up time, streamline workflow and uplevel the client experience, you’re creating a well-designed business. V

With four decades of industry experience, LuAnn Nigara is an awardwinning author, keynote speaker and the host of two podcasts: “A Well-Designed Business” and “Window Treatment for Profit.” She is also part of the ownership team of the Livingston, New Jerseybased Exciting Windows! and Window Works. Through Exciting Windows!, LuAnn University and her one-on-one coaching services, Nigara teaches window treatment pros and interior designers how to operate profitable businesses.

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