Your day leaks minutes in tiny ways like a dripping faucet: tag a contact here, rename a file there, paste the same note. Again. Let's flip that. I get it! So, do I have a deal for you!

In one short sprint, you'll spot 10 "agentable" tasks—simple, repeatable steps an AI helper or light automation can take over so you don't have to. Do it right and you'll feel the significant time savings this week, motivating you to continue automating tasks.

Why this works
According to McKinsey and Company, today's gen-AI and related tech can automate activities that soak up 60–70% of employees' time. The trick isn't hype; it's picking the right, low-risk tasks first.

Introducing the 20-minute finder
Here's a fast approach to identifying tasks ripe for automation. By selecting a standard path within a workflow you interact with daily, such as lead follow-up, invoice nudges, or meeting prep, you can quickly spot tasks that can be automated. Remember, every additional role, branch, or handoff adds time, so keep your focus narrow.

Walk that slice in your head and write micro-steps as verb + object: send welcome email, tag contact, rename file, log note, move attachment. Keep steps that are repeatable, rule-based, and already inside tools you use (email, calendar, CRM, docs, sheets, chat, web apps). Aim for ten keepers.

Examples you'll spot in minutes

1. Draft a reply from a template after a form submit → Done-when the draft sits ready for review.
2. Tag new leads by source in the CRM → Done-when the record shows the tag.
3. Create a calendar hold after a booking click → Done-when the hold appears.
4. Summarize meeting notes from a transcript → Done-when the summary sits in the deal record.
5. Rename and file attachments to the correct client folder → Done-when the path matches the standard.
6. Send day-before call reminders → Done-when the reminder logs in the thread.
7. Open a follow-up task after a no-show → Done-when the task appears in the queue.
8. Capture post-call action items into a checklist → Done-when the list attaches to the deal.

Turn ideas into pilots
Give each candidate three rails so it runs without babysitting:

1. Impact (1–5): hours you save each week if this runs on autopilot
2. Effort (1–5): setup steps and access you need to start
3. Risk (1–5): chance of a mess-up or escalation if it misfires

Pick three with high impact, low effort, and low risk. Start with drafts, tags, reminders, and file moves—not auto-send to customers. Keep your first pilots inside one tool for speed. Add branches and cross-team handoffs later.

Bottom line
The goal is not a complete transformation, but rather a series of small wins. By identifying and automating ten tasks, you can significantly reduce the time you spend on repetitive activities. I'm here to help you finalize your list, minimize the risk of your pilots, and integrate them into your existing tools.

Do you need some help with this process? Book a free 30-minute consultation and we'll pick your safest, highest-impact wins together.

How many times has a ball been dropped with a client, and that was it—they were gone?

It's maddening. But here's the answer: the right automation can help prevent that kind of churn, giving you more control and peace of mind.

Most conversations about automation stop at "saving time." But thoughtful automation goes further—it helps customers feel seen, valued, and taken care of. That's the experience that sticks. When I've received well-timed, relevant automated messages, they didn't feel robotic; they felt considerate. And they pulled me back, again and again.

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 about completing tasks, but about crafting 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 Certain to Surprise & Delight

1. Effective 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. Clients 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. Delivering a Great Finish
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.

Make "Feeling Valued" the Default
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.

"Scalable" Doesn't Mean 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.

Ready to make your client experience smoother and more effective?
​
Grab your free infographic: Seven Steps to Simplify Your Marketing with Automation. It's a clear, visual roadmap to automate with heart and start delighting clients at every turn.

2026 is approaching quickly, and AI has officially transitioned from a buzzword to a business tool. What's your plan to put it to work profitably?

Approximately 58% of U.S. small businesses currently use generative AI (U.S. Chamber of Commerce), and this trend will continue to rise. That's why I've compiled a list of ways to implement AI in your business to help keep you ahead of the curve and stay ahead of that trend!

Here's the good news: you don't need to be techy—or even that curious—to benefit from AI. If you've ever wished for a clone to keep up, a simple AI assistant might be the next best thing. It's easy to implement and will make a significant difference in your business operations.

AI Assistants Are Quietly Saving Hours, Easing Your Workload
Employees report saving approximately five hours a week on average with AI-assisted work (≈approximately 52 minutes/day). That's nearly a full day back every week—without adding anyone to payroll.

What Can These AI Assistants Do?
Think of them like reliable, no-drama assistants that don't need sleep, coffee, or context switching.

With the right tools and prompts, they can help you:

1. Plan your day based on energy and urgency
2. Reword emails in your voice
3. Summarize messy notes or meeting transcripts
4. Sort your to-do list by impact
5. Follow up with leads (without you even thinking about it)

Small tasks? Yes. But when they run consistently, they give you back focus—and sanity.

The Best No-Code Tools for Building Your AI Assistant
Here are the top tools grouped by function:

Planning, Focus, and Daily Support

1. ChatGPT (Free or Plus): Acts like a sounding board, planner, and editor in one—with the right prompts
2. Notion AI: Great for organizing notes, SOPs, and team updates
3. Tability: Keeps team OKRs and goals on track with lightweight updates

Client Communication & Follow-Up

1. Springboard: My favorite CRM for automating email workflows, lead follow-up, and reminders
2. Tidio or ManyChat: Easy-to-use chatbot tools for websites or Messenger
3. Chatbase: Lets you train a bot on your documents so it can answer FAQs for you

​Workflow Automation

1. Zapier: Links tools together to handle tasks like email sends, CRM updates, or tagging
2. Make: Similar to Zapier, but with more customization and logic branches

A Quick Word on ChatGPT's Newer "Agent" Feature
Some of you may have heard about OpenAI's newer Agent tool. It can browse, plan, and even attempt to act on tasks such as booking a service or placing an order. It's powerful but not infallible—treat it like a sharp intern: helpful under supervision, not for high-stakes tasks.

Start Small. Save Hours. Repeat.
It's as simple as picking one task you're tired of doing, choosing one tool, and giving it a chance. Let it free up some space in your week and see the difference it makes.

Want some help with that? Then sign up for my 5-Day AI-Powered Business Boost Challenge! This email challenge will guide you through the process of selecting and implementing an AI tool for a specific task in your business. Each day, you'll receive a new lesson and a task to complete, helping you to start putting AI to work for you!

If you've ever felt like your team is drowning in repetitive admin work, you're not alone. Those behind-the-scenes approvals, reminders, and updates can quietly chip away at productivity every single day. The good news? Even automating just one of them can liberate you from these tasks, freeing up hours and energy that you can direct to more strategic, revenue-generating activities.

In fact, 89% of full-time workers say automation boosts job satisfaction—and 91% say it saves them time and improves work-life balance (Salesforce). That's not just efficiency—it's a better workday for everyone.

Let's look at seven workflows you could put on autopilot starting this week and why they're worth prioritizing.

1. New Employee Onboarding
First impressions matter. Automate welcome emails, grant software access, and schedule training so every new hire can be ready to work from day one. Consistent onboarding not only saves time but also reduces turnover risk by giving employees a confident, organized start.

2. Expense Approvals
No more "lost" receipts or bottlenecked approvals. Automatically route submissions to the right manager, send reminders for overdue items, and update employees when payments are processed. Doing so creates transparency, eliminates confusion, and builds trust between finance and staff.

3. Meeting Scheduling
Ditch the back-and-forth emails. Smart booking links sync with everyone's schedules, adjust for time zones, and ensure only available slots show on the booking page. The result? Faster scheduling, fewer missed connections, and happier participants.

4. Purchase Order Requests
Automate validation so incomplete requests never reach your desk. You can send approved POs directly to vendors—no extra back-and-forth. This automation keeps supply chains moving smoothly and helps prevent costly delays.

5. Internal IT Requests
Streamline support with automated ticket creation, assignment, and progress updates. When employees know exactly where their request stands, it cuts down on follow-up emails and lets IT focus on resolving issues faster.

6. Recurring Task Reminders
From compliance deadlines to monthly reports, automated reminders ensure the right people get notified at the right time. These reminders not only reduce the risk of missed deliverables but also relieve you from the mental load of remembering these tasks, keeping your business in good standing without adding extra stress to your team.

7. Project Status Updates
Pull progress data from your project management tools and send concise summaries to stakeholders. By delivering updates automatically, you eliminate status meetings that drain productivity and ensure everyone stays aligned.

Getting Started This Week
Start by picking the workflow that causes the most friction. A few hours of setup with the right automation tool can save you dozens more in the weeks ahead. Begin with a pilot group, refine the process, and then roll it out across the organization. The key is to start small, prove the value, and build momentum for broader adoption.

Want more quick wins? Download my checklist, Top 10 Manual Tasks You Should Automate Today, and start building your automation roadmap. By this time next week, you could have your first internal process running on autopilot—and the satisfaction of knowing you and your team will spend their time where it matters most.

We've all been there.

You have a great conversation with someone, and then life happens. A few weeks (or months) go by, and suddenly you're not just following up, you're reintroducing yourself.

Really? It wasn't the first time, that's for sure!

That used to be me. I had strong leads and great chats, but no system—just crossed fingers and forgotten names.

Now? I've set up a simple follow-up system with reminders and light automation that keeps things moving without sounding robotic. It's a relief to have a system in place, knowing that I won't miss out on any potential opportunities.

Whether you're reconnecting, checking in, or trying again after silence, this 3-part formula is simple and easy to follow, helping you do it with ease.

Step 1: Context + Connection
Start by reminding them who you are and how you're connected. Don't skip this—even if you think they remember you. And if it's been a while? Name the gap. Keep it human. This human touch is what keeps the connection alive, something like this:

"It's been a bit since we last connected—just wanted to reach out and see how things are going."

A reference to your last conversation, a shared project, or even something they posted online can go a long way in making your message feel genuine.

Step 2: Something Valuable
Here's where most people get stuck. A follow-up that says "just checking in" often gets ignored because… It's easy to forget.

Instead, offer something useful. A tip, a link, a question—anything that gives them a reason to engage. Even something simple like:

"Thought you might appreciate this quick idea based on what we discussed."

Stat to keep in mind:
According to The Brevet Group, 80% of sales require at least five follow-ups, but 44% of people stop after the first one. That's a lot of missed chances to stay in the conversation.

Step 3: A Clear, Low-Pressure Next Step
Instead of leaving things vague, make it easy for them to take action. Invite them to a quick call. Offer a helpful resource. Ask a focused question that moves things forward, without pressure.

"Would it be helpful if I sent over a few quick ideas for [topic]?"

And if they don't respond?

Wait a week or two, then try again with a slightly different angle or tone. You can say:

"I completely understand if now's not the right time—just wanted to check in one more time in case this slipped through."

If you're reconnecting with a former client or referral partner, even something as simple as a personal note or a quick video message can help you stand out.

Systemize the Follow-Up—But Keep It Human
You don't need fancy tools to stay consistent. Even basic CRMs or no-code automation tools can help you remember when to follow up, add personal notes, and keep everything from falling off your radar.
The key isn't being perfect. It's being present.

Want to Automate Your Follow-Ups Without Sounding Robotic?

Download the free checklist: 5 Ways to Automate Follow-Ups Without Sounding Robotic

These quick, actionable tips will help you stay top of mind, without losing your voice in the process.

What if you could clone yourself—but only the version that handles all the repetitive stuff you dread each week?

That's essentially what a task-based AI agent does. It's not some futuristic tool for coders—it's a practical, repeatable solution you can use today, empowering you to focus on what truly matters in your business.

And for business owners like you and me, that kind of time freedom is priceless.

From Content Chaos to Calm: My Personal Story

Not long ago, I spent an entire day each week creating content. One blog. Daily posts for my personal and company LinkedIn pages.

It didn't matter how organized I was—it drained my energy and cluttered my week. So, I built an AI agent.

I trained it to prompt me for a blog topic, a quick story, and a single stat—then it runs with the rest. This training process involves setting up the AI agent's parameters and preferences, which is a straightforward and user-friendly process.

Now? Content creation, including AI-image generation, takes me 1–2 hours instead of 6–8. That time savings isn't just about hours—it's about peace of mind, knowing that your tasks are being handled efficiently.

What Is an AI Agent?

An AI agent is a digital teammate. Not a chatbot. Not a VA. Not automation in the traditional sense. An AI agent is a step above these tools, as it is capable of learning and adapting to your specific needs and preferences.

It's an intelligent assistant trained to perform specific tasks—such as creating content, summarizing notes, or organizing outreach. Other tasks could include managing your calendar, responding to routine emails, or even analyzing data for business insights.

You teach it once—and it applies your logic over and over again. It's like hiring a super-reliable intern who never sleeps, forgets, or burns out.

Why AI Agents Save So Much Time

Repetition is the real productivity killer. Most business owners lose countless hours each week to tasks that could use streamlining—or delegated to a digital assistant.

And the data backs it up: According to Zapier's 2023 Automation Report, 74% of small business workers say they spend too much time on repetitive tasks—and nearly half say automation saves them 6+ hours every week.

AI agents go a step further. They don't just save time—they reduce mental load and free up creative energy.

You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone

If the idea of "training an agent" sounds confusing, you're not alone. Most people don't know where to start—or which task to delegate first.

That's where I come in. In a free 30-minute consultation phone call, we'll look at:

1. What's eating up your time
2. What an AI agent could take off your plate
3. Where could you be by next week if your AI assistant handled that task?

Ready to Reclaim Your Time?

Book your free 30-minute consultation phone call to discover how an AI agent could give you back hours every single week.

Starting your AI journey may seem like a daunting task, akin to the aftermath of untangling a web of holiday lights (like the woman above)—flickering, promising, and slightly nerve-wracking.

You've heard about the potential of AI to enhance productivity, but where do you even start? The good news is, it's not as complex as it seems.

When I first added AI to my own toolkit, I'll admit—it felt like learning a new language while juggling flaming torches. But now, it's indispensable. It's doubled my productivity, simplified my content creation, and given me the margin to focus on what matters most. I want the same for you—without the overwhelm.

Here's how to make your first steps into AI not just doable, but surprisingly manageable.

1. Begin with your friction points

Instead of thinking about AI as a massive overhaul, start small. Ask yourself:

Where am I losing the most time or momentum at the moment?

Is it in writing marketing emails? Following up with leads? Tracking tasks that fall through the cracks? Those daily frustrations?

They're your signposts. AI is most helpful when it starts by solving one real, recurring problem.

2. Focus on just one win

There is no need to create a master plan immediately. 

Pick one task—say, writing your weekly newsletter or summarizing meeting notes—and explore how AI could assist.

The trick here is not to get caught up in comparing 57 tools. You don't need "the best one." You need one that gets the job done.

And if you're not sure where to look, you're not alone. You can always reach out—I love helping people figure out the most straightforward path forward. For instance, for writing marketing emails, tools like ChatGPT or Claude Sonnet can be a great start.

3. Build a simple workflow to stay consistent

This aspect is where automation truly shines.

Let's say AI helps you draft emails or generate blog ideas faster. That's great—but if those pieces are still stuck on your desktop, they're not helping anyone.

This situation is where workflow automation steps in to connect the dots. It's the bridge between "this works!" and "this saves me time every week."

You don't have to tackle this yourself—I've got trusted partners who specialize in building automations for small businesses if that's a better fit for you.

4. Don't wait until you know it all

AI doesn't require perfection. It requires a little curiosity and the willingness to try.

💡 According to McKinsey, 80% of leaders say AI boosts productivity—but only 24% of companies have a real strategy.

That gap? It's where small, consistent action makes all the difference.

Ready to make your business run smoother with less stress and more productivity with AI? Let's get started.

Start with this free checklist: Top 10 Manual Tasks You Should Automate Today. It'll give you quick wins and clarity—no tech background is required.

And if questions come up? I'm always happy to help.

If you found this blog helpful, consider sharing it with others who might also benefit from it.
​

The Feeling That Sticks With YouYou know that rare kind of customer experience that feels so smooth that you're pleasantly surprised?

For me, it's Chewy, a pet supply company I've used for years. Every time I've reached out with a question or concern, their support team has been kind, responsive, and empowered to help. I can't count the number of times they've refunded something instantly; no pushback, no delay. It's not flashy—it's just excellent. That's white glove service.

But what makes it so consistent? Behind the scenes, it's all about systems. These systems are the structured processes, tools, and technologies that enable a business to consistently deliver a high level of service. They ensure that every customer interaction is smooth, timely, and personalized, leading to a white glove service experience.

What White Glove Service Really Means

White glove doesn't mean luxury. It means your customer never has to wonder what's happening next. It means your communications feel timely, your process feels thought through, and your brand feels like it has its act together.

And that? It comes from systems that are working even when you're not, providing a sense of relief and control.

Why Systems Matter More Than Hustle

Trying to "wow" clients without structure is like trying to host a dinner party without preparation—you're sweating in the kitchen while your guests wonder where you've gone.

Take, for example, one of my clients, an energy consulting firm that was doing all the right things but was spending a tremendous amount of time on manual processes. But with fragmented contact lists and no visibility, their outreach felt like a shot in the dark. Once they centralized everything with our CRM, they began segmenting their audience and tracking engagement. Their open rates soared into the 40–50% range, empowering them with a new level of confidence and capability.

They didn't add more work—they added clarity.

Where Systems Create Magic Moments

You don't need to automate everything. Just focus on the touchpoints that matter:

1. Welcoming new clients with automated next steps
2. Keeping them informed with status updates and milestone emails
3. Following up in a way that feels personal, not robotic

These are the moments that make clients feel valued—and they're easy to overlook without a system in place. Systems provide reassurance to your customers, making them feel more secure and valued.

One Step Is All It Takes

You don't need a whole tech stack or an enterprise budget to deliver a premium experience. Start with one repeatable process, such as onboarding, follow-ups, or a simple check-in sequence, and build from there. Little by little, those systems stack up to create something that feels personal, polished, and easy to maintain.

Not sure where to begin?
​
Download The Ultimate CRM Health Check—a quick, practical assessment to help you identify gaps, spot opportunities, and get clear on what to improve first. It's the first step toward delivering a white glove experience without adding more to your plate.

We all know manual work is time-consuming. But what you might not realize? It's silently draining your business in ways that don't show up on a timesheet.

​It can feel like you're sinking in a boat load of menial tasks.

You may feel like you're sinking in a boat load of menial tasks.

I've seen small teams get buried under "just 10-minute" tasks—until 10 minutes becomes 10 hours a week. And while you're juggling repetitive follow-ups, updating spreadsheets, and routing tasks by hand, opportunity quietly slips through the cracks.

Let's pull back the curtain on what manual work is really costing you—and how automation can bring relief and efficiency and stop the bleeding.

1. Manual Doesn't Mean Minimal—It Means Missed​ 

Manual tasks seem harmless. A quick check-in email here and a CRM update there. But they're deceptive. They interrupt your flow. They force context switching. And when your brain gets stuck in minutiae, you're not closing deals or solving big problems. 

The real danger? These tasks are inconsistent, easily forgotten, and prone to human error. They seem small—until they snowball into bottlenecks and burnout.

2. Five Hidden Cost Zones You Can't Afford to Ignore

Here's where the damage quietly builds:

1. Time Waste: Repeating low-value admin work eats into strategic hours.
2. Duplicated Effort: Disconnected tools and siloed data create rework.
3. Lead Loss: Slow or inconsistent follow-up kills momentum—and revenue.
4. Team Burnout: Busy work can crush morale and delay real progress.
5. Missed Opportunities: You're reactive instead of scaling smart.

These “cost zones” are the silent sabotage of manual work. And it's likely happening right now.

3. Where to Start: Spotting the Bleed and Taking Control

Start with a time audit. What tasks do you repeat daily or weekly? Ask your team:

1. Where are the bottlenecks?
2. What feels unnecessarily manual?
3. Which steps require handholding?
4. Then look at your workflows:
5. Are follow-ups falling through the cracks?
6. Is onboarding painfully slow?
7. Are you still manually entering the same data in multiple places?

These are your automation gold mines, the areas in your workflow where automation can have the most significant impact. By targeting these areas, you can save time, reduce errors, and free up your team to focus on more strategic tasks.

4. Simple Fixes That Save Thousands and Build Momentum

The good news? You don't need to overhaul your entire system. Start with just one fix:

1. Automate lead handoffs
2. Build a follow-up sequence
3. Use an AI agent to sort inbox replies
4. Let a bot update your CRM

Each small win with automation builds momentum. Each hour saved creates space for growth, encouraging and motivating your team to thrive.

When you stop wasting time on repetitive tasks, you start regaining freedom, efficiency, and results, reassuring your team that automation is the right choice.

Ready to see what manual work is costing you?

Take the first step toward automation. Download our free AI Cost Savings Estimator and discover how much time and money you could save every single week. Ready to see what manual work is actually costing you? Start your automation journey today.

​By: Kathy Kent Toney, Chief AI Strategist at Kent Solutions