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!

 A Smarter Shift in How I Use AI (and Help You Do the Same)
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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:

1. Set up a siloed, confidential ChatGPT workspace where all our chats are not available for training data
2. Organized a comprehensive knowledge base of my company, services, and strategy for quick, easy searches that yield great results
3. Built a daily framework so Chaz can guide me each morning with the day’s top priorities
4. Laid the foundation for AI-powered executive support, streamlining how I operate and make decisions

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, Kent Solutions

If you told me a few years ago that I would rely on artificial intelligence every single day in my business, I probably would’ve smiled politely and kept moving. In 2022, I wrote my blogs the long way—because that’s all I knew.

Fast forward to today. AI is now one of my most trusted business partners.

And I don’t just use it here and there—I use it for everything from content and client nurturing to strategic planning. The best part? I’m finally getting things done that I used to avoid entirely because they took too much time or energy. It's a relief to be free from these manual tasks.

From “Maybe Someday” to “Done in an Hour”

With AI, I've become more efficient and productive. It's a game-changer. Lead magnets (freebies) used to sit on my to-do list for weeks—sometimes months—because they were too time-consuming. I knew they were important, but getting them done felt overwhelming. Now, I can concept, outline, and complete one in a couple of hours. That shift alone has helped me put valuable resources into the hands of prospects who need them—and actually finish them.

Let’s also talk about content creation. Blogs and LinkedIn posts? They take half the time they used to. With AI helping me generate ideas, outlines, and sometimes even first drafts, I’m more consistent, strategic, and—let’s be honest—less stressed about what to say each week.

Automated Follow-Up? Yes, Please.

I’ll be the first to admit it: I was terrible at following up. Not because I didn’t care but because I didn’t have a consistent system. With AI and automation in place, my prospects now receive thoughtful, timely follow-ups—even while I’m sleeping.

And when someone fills out a form on my site? They automatically enter into a personalized email sequence that introduces them to what we do at Kent Solutions. Once that sequence wraps up, I can follow up with a qualification call and invite them into our newsletter—without missing a beat.

Strategy on Speed Dial

Beyond daily execution, AI empowers me to think bigger. I use it to brainstorm, structure, and refine strategic, business, and growth plans. It’s like having a second brain that’s available 24/7, giving me perspective and structure when I need it most. It's a tool that puts me in control and boosts my confidence in decision-making.

The Real Win

The most significant gain hasn’t just been time—it’s finally doing what I knew would grow my business. AI made those things accessible, repeatable, and scalable. If you’re still doing everything manually, you’re working too hard. Trust me—I’ve been there.

How Ready Are You for AI?

Take the next step with our AI Readiness Assessment—a simple 9-question tool that helps you understand where you are and what you need to start scaling smarter with AI.
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Take the Assessment Now 👇

More Than Just Chatbots: How AI Bots Are Changing the Game

When you hear "AI-powered bots," you probably think of chatbots answering customer service questions. But that's just scratching the surface.

Imagine having a digital assistant that can schedule meetings, process invoices, track inventory, and even monitor IT systems—all without human intervention. These bots don't just chat; they work behind the scenes to handle repetitive, time-consuming tasks that eat up your day.

From administrative work to finance, IT, HR, and sales, intelligent bots can automate what slows you down—so you can focus on what matters. Here are five ways they can take work off your plate.

1. Automating Administrative Work

Every business drowns in routine admin tasks—reporting, scheduling, and document management. AI bots can handle these automatically.

Example: Instead of manually compiling weekly reports, a bot can pull data, format it, and send a summary straight to your inbox.

The result? Less time on admin work, empowering you to focus on high-value tasks that truly matter.

2. Streamlining IT & Operations

IT teams spend hours troubleshooting and monitoring systems. Bots can proactively detect issues, send alerts, and even trigger fixes before they escalate.

Example: A bot can monitor your server performance and notify IT of potential failures while attempting basic troubleshooting.

The result? Faster response times, fewer tech disruptions, and a more secure IT environment.

3. Taking Over Finance & Accounting Tasks

Nobody enjoys manual data entry, invoice processing, or reconciliations. AI bots can extract data from invoices, match payments, and update records automatically.

Example: A bot scans incoming invoices, records key details, and syncs them with your accounting software.

The result? Fewer errors, faster processing, and no more mind-numbing data entry.

4. Automating HR & Employee Onboarding

Hiring a new employee involves paperwork, training schedules, and IT setups. Bots can streamline the entire onboarding process.

Example: A bot can send welcome emails, IT setup instructions, and training resources—all before day one.

The result? A smoother, stress-free onboarding experience.

5. Enhancing Customer Support & Sales

Bots do more than answer FAQs—they book appointments, process orders, and even follow up with leads.

Example: A bot can confirm bookings, remind clients of appointments, and send personalized follow-ups based on customer interactions.

The result? Better customer experiences, fewer missed opportunities, and less work for your team.

The Bottom Line: Work Smarter, Not Harder

In reality, businesses waste countless hours on tasks that AI bots can handle instantly. By leveraging intelligent bots, you not only free up time and energy, but also save on resources. This can significantly impact your bottom line, allowing you to focus on growing your business instead of getting stuck in the weeds.

Ready to see how much time (and money) you could save? Our AI Cost Savings Estimator is user-friendly. It will show you exactly how much automation could save you every month.

​Try it now-FREE!