By: Kathy Kent Toney, Chief AI Strategist at Kent Solutions Most discussions about automation focus on saving time. However, what if I told you it could also make your clients feel seen, valued, and even wowed? Isn't that the most amazing experience? When I've experienced thoughtful, well-timed automated marketing messages, it nudged me to keep coming back for more. That's the untapped power of thoughtful automation—it doesn't just replace tasks; it amplifies moments that matter. This strategic use of automation can be the silent force behind unforgettable, human-centered client experiences, empowering you to inspire your clients in new and unexpected ways, and giving you the control to shape their journey. Automation Beyond Efficiency Too often, automation can be like a checklist: schedule an email, log a task, and move on. But the real magic happens when it's not just to complete tasks—but to craft experiences. Delight isn't about big gestures. It's about reducing friction, offering timely value, and showing your clients you understand what matters to them. Personal, intentional, and unexpected moments create loyalty that no manual follow-up can match. 3 Client Touchpoints Perfect for Surprise & Delight1. 1. Thoughtful Onboarding First impressions matter. Automation can send personalized welcome messages, trigger video intros, and follow up with resources based on what a client just signed up for. When it feels like you're anticipating their needs from the start, you're setting the stage for a journey built on trust and understanding. 2. Mid-Journey Checkpoints Clients often wonder, "Am I on track?" An automated touchpoint that says, "Here's where we are and what's next," or a surprising resource tied to their goal, makes them feel guided, not ghosted. That's delight in motion. 3. Finishing Strong The project may be complete, but the experience isn't. Automate a genuine thank-you note. A quick win tip. A follow-up question that says, "We're still thinking about your success." That final touch can be the beginning of your next referral. Systematize the Feeling—Not Just the Task Here's the insight: automation done well isn't impersonal. It's precisely what lets you be more personal more often, fostering a deeper connection with your clients and making them feel truly understood. You can focus your energy on creativity, strategy, and deepening relationships by offloading repetitive actions like timing, delivery, and follow-up. It's not about doing less. It's about showing up better, and being more engaged in the work that truly matters. The Myth of "Scalable = Cold" Delight doesn't disappear when you scale. In fact, with automation, you can deliver thoughtful, high-touch moments consistently—without burning out. The myth that 'scalable = cold' is debunked with automation. You can maintain high personalization and thoughtfulness even as you scale your client interactions. You need a plan, a rhythm, and tools that work quietly behind the scenes. Want to bring more ease and impact to your client experience? Grab your free infographic: Seven Steps to Simplify Your Marketing with Automation. It's a clear, visual roadmap to help you automate with heart—and start delighting clients at every turn.
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By: Kathy Kent Toney, Chief AI Strategist at Kent Solutions When hiring breaks down, it doesn't do it loudly. It creeps in quietly—missed follow-ups, lost resumes, candidates who never show up. For one residential cleaning company, the signs were all there. They were growing fast, but every new hire felt like starting over. Their inboxes were full, their systems scattered, and no one had a clear picture of who they'd talked to—or what happened next. Good people were slipping through the cracks, and growth was stalling not because of demand, but because the process couldn't keep up. Disorganization at Scale On paper, they had a process. They collected resumes, sent emails, and interviewed when possible. But behind the scenes, it was barely holding together. Candidate data lived in paper files, email threads, and scattered memories. There was no centralized system or way to track who was worth following up with. Communication happened through Outlook lists without opt-in or feedback loops. Their monthly newsletter? More like a shout into the void. A Smarter Way Forward We guided them in implementing our CRM and transforming their recruitment process and communication strategy. With our CRM, every candidate interaction, from Facebook Messenger to email, was consolidated, making it easier to track and manage. We introduced automated interview reminders, which significantly reduced no-shows. We also added engagement scoring to track candidate interactions, showing who was opening emails and showing interest, thereby improving the quality of our candidate pool. From Data to Direction The shift was dramatic. Hiring productivity increased by more than 300%. Interview attendance improved while time spent manually chasing candidates decreased. The real breakthrough came when the team started using their data. With clear open and click-through rates—often in the 40–50% range—they could see which topics resonated. Segmentation and Smarter Messaging That led to segmentation. Instead of a general newsletter, they built specific campaigns around renewables, commercial cleaning, and public speaking. These campaigns were tailored to the interests of different segments of their audience, providing leadership with clearer insight into what their audience cared about, and helping shape future offers and content. An Engine That Runs Itself Automation didn't just make their process faster. It made it more innovative and sustainable. The team was no longer starting from scratch every time a role opened. They had a system that worked quietly and effectively in the background. Embrace Liberation from Manual Processes If you're trapped in manual processes and missed opportunities, you don't have to remain there. It starts with embracing CRM automation. Want to see what this kind of clarity looks like in sales and marketing, too? Download our case study on how an energy management consultancy used CRM automation to scale with precision and purpose!
By: Kathy Kent Toney, CEO & Founder of Kent Business Solutions A Smarter Shift in How I Use AI (and Help You Do the Same) There’s a unique shift in how I leverage AI in my business—and how I help my clients do the same. I’ve been in the driver’s seat for the past year: telling AI what to write, build, or automate. It worked. But it always felt like something was missing. Because the real power of AI isn’t just in giving it instructions—it’s in letting it guide you. Strategically. Thoughtfully. Sustainably. That’s where Chaz comes in—my custom-built AI Growth Partner. Chaz isn’t just a tool. He’s a collaborator who helps me stay clear on priorities, track progress, and stay anchored in work that truly matters. He’s my Executive Assistant, and more. Chaz is designed to assist in decision-making, streamline operations, and provide strategic guidance. And you? You’re part of this evolution, too. This isn’t delegation. It’s co-creation. And last week, we made that real. What We Built In just three days, Chaz and I:
This wasn’t just busywork. It was alignment—quiet, grounded, and incredibly clarifying. What’s Next Starting in June, my AI collaborator Lisa Kennell and I are launching a new weekly LinkedIn Live (name pending!). We’ll share real-time strategies for using AI with purpose, such as how to integrate AI into your daily operations, how to leverage AI for strategic decision-making, and how to ensure ethical and responsible AI use. These strategies will be actionable, approachable, and built for busy leaders. Keep tuned for more details! Expect live Q&A and content shaped around your questions, not just our frameworks. What’s Not Changing Despite all these changes, my commitment to your success remains unwavering. Whether you’re a client, collaborator, or someone who stops by for content, you’re at the center of what I do. Your success is my success, and I am dedicated to supporting you in every way I can. One client once said, “You’re kind and professional—but tenacious as a pit bull—and a pleasure to work with.” That’s the energy I bring to every project. Together, we’ll cut through the fog, simplify systems, and make growth sustainable—and human. Because at the end of the day, it's not just about the numbers, it's about the people behind them. Wondering What AI Could Save You? If you’ve been curious about what AI could actually do for your business, beyond the hype, start here: 👉 Try the AI Cost Savings Estimator It’s fast, free, and built to show you what’s possible when strategy leads the way. This next chapter? It’s not just about automation. It’s about clarity-fueled growth, and who doesn’t want that?
By: Kathy Kent Toney, CEO & Founder of Kent Solutions You write a thoughtful email campaign. You meticulously craft each sentence. You double-check your grammar, polish your call-to-action, hit send confidently, and then wait, watching your analytics dashboard with anticipation. Only to find barely anyone opened it. If you feel anything like the woman in this picture, you're not alone. Many of us have been there, puzzling over disappointingly low open rates. I used to send my emails out like clockwork—10:00 a.m. every Tuesday. It seemed like the quintessential "professional" time, right? But one week, through what I initially thought was an unfortunate mistake, I accidentally scheduled my email for 7:00 a.m. instead. And then, something unexpected and truly remarkable happened. My open rate didn't just improve—it soared past 50%. Not only did more people open it, but they also actively engaged: clicking through links, replying with thoughtful responses, and even scheduling consultation calls. This simple timing change transformed my email marketing strategy. Why Your Emails Might Be Getting Ignored Your subject lines don't stand out in increasingly crowded inboxes. If it sounds like yet another corporate memo or promotional advertisement, people will scroll right past it. You've got to sound like a real person—human, curious, maybe even a little playful. You're underusing the pre-header—that valuable second line under your subject. It's prime real estate that most marketers waste. One of my most successful pre-headers was, "You know you want to..." It made people smile, piqued their curiosity—and they clicked. Your audience feels like a number in a database. Sending identical messages to your entire list? That's a quick way to get ignored or marked as spam. Smart segmentation leads to relevance—and relevance gets opened. You're keeping inactive contacts around too long. Email platforms increasingly penalize senders for low engagement rates. Regular list cleaning maintains health. It also helps you reach more inboxes effectively. A Few Proven Fixes That Can Work Wonders Brainstorm and test 3–5 different subject lines before choosing. This extra effort helps you get past the obvious, mediocre options and find something truly compelling. Experiment boldly with send times. You might be surprised what works best for your specific audience—just like I was with my accidental discovery. Use preview text strategically. Don't just repeat the subject line—tease or build on it to create intrigue. Regularly clear out unengaged subscribers. It's better to have a smaller, engaged list than a massive one that ignores you. Want to get your open rates climbing? Grab my free Email Open Rate Mastery Checklist—it's packed with battle-tested strategies that helped me consistently hit 50%+ open rates. This comprehensive checklist includes advanced tips on crafting irresistible subject lines, implementing continuous improvement processes, and maintaining a healthy subscriber list. Let's make your next email campaign your most successful one yet.
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