How to Make Time for Innovation

December 9, 2024

We know you're an incredibly busy business owner. It's easy to get caught up in the daily tasks and operation of your business. But if you're only doing what must be done, and never making time for innovation, you will fall behind.


But how do you make time to innovate?


For the busy business professional, being told to make time to innovate is like someone critiquing your swimming stroke when you feel like you're drowning. To innovate you must have (or feel like you have) your business under control and very few business owners feel that way.


Something is always coming up that demands time and energy and so innovation takes a back seat to the business’ immediate needs.


It's likely you've heard that AI can streamline your tasks and make you more efficient. While that's true and a lot of businesses are using AI in administrative ways, it can do so much more.


However, even as good as AI is, it cannot oversee your strategic planning and innovation. As the leader of your company, you need to be the one to take that on.


With AI you can get several hours back in your week and that extra time can be used to innovate and strategize.


Here's how:


Things AI Can Take off Your Plate



Here’s a list of ways AI can free up your time as a small business owner, enabling you to focus on innovation and growth.


Please note: these technology suggestions are starts. There are many other options out there. Perform your due diligence to find a solution that works best for the way you work.


Let’s get started…


Automate Administrative Tasks

-         Email Management. Use AI tools like Gmail's Smart Compose or apps like Superhuman to prioritize and automate responses.

-         Scheduling. Leverage AI scheduling assistants like Calendly or Clara to manage appointments and meetings.

-         Document Handling. Use tools like DocuSign or PandaDoc for automated contract creation, signing, and tracking.

But don’t stop there. How much time does your team spend on interacting with your customers, not in engaging ways but answering the same questions over and over. Once when visiting a liquor store on Christmas Eve, I witnessed the employee answer the phone five times within a three-minute span. He answered each time with “Hello, we’re open until six.” Most people hung up after that. All they wanted to know was the store’s hours.


That’s a waste of everyone’s time. Instead…


Streamline Customer Interactions

-         Chatbots. Deploy AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Intercom to handle FAQs, basic inquiries, and customer support 24/7.

-         CRM Integration. Utilize AI-powered CRMs like HubSpot or Salesforce Einstein to manage customer relationships and follow-ups.

Where else are you spending your time? Marketing? Financial management? Training? Let’s look at a couple of ways to streamline those.


Enhance Marketing Efforts

-         Content Creation. Generate social media posts, blog content, and email campaigns with tools like Jasper AI or Copy.ai or personalize your email campaigns based on customer data with MailChimp.

-         Ad Optimization. Use AI platforms like Adzooma or Smartly.io to analyze and optimize your ad performance automatically.

-         Social Media Scheduling. Automate post scheduling and analytics with tools like Buffer or Hootsuite Insights.


Optimize Financial Management

-         Bookkeeping. Employ AI-based accounting tools like QuickBooks or Xero for automated expense tracking, invoicing, and tax preparation.

-         Budgeting. Use AI financial tools like Fathom to generate forecasts and identify savings opportunities.

-         Payment Systems. Square and Clover integrate AI for tracking sales and managing promotions.


Enhance Team Collaboration

-         Project Management. Use AI-enhanced tools like Asana or Trello with smart suggestions to streamline workflows and assign tasks.

-         Talent Management. Automate hiring processes with tools like Zoho Recruit or LinkedIn Talent Insights to find the right candidates faster.

-         Virtual Assistants. Use Zapier to integrate and automate workflows between apps like Gmail, QuickBooks, and Slack.


Boost Personal Productivity

-         AI Assistants. Tools like Otter.ai can transcribe meetings and summarize notes.

-         Focus Tools. Apps like Freedom or Serene use AI to help you minimize distractions and improve focus.


Gain Insights for Innovation

-         Data Analytics. Tools like Tableau or Google Analytics with AI capabilities can help you gather insights into customer behavior or market trends.

-         Competitor Monitoring. Tools like Crayon can track competitor activities and strategies in real time.


Automate Customer Feedback

-         Survey Tools. Platforms like Qualtrics or Typeform can collect and analyze customer feedback.

-         Sentiment Analysis. MonkeyLearn analyzes customer reviews and identifies trends or areas for improvement.


Train Your Team with AI

-         Learning Management Systems (LMS). Use AI-driven platforms like Udemy Business or Coursera for Business to provide personalized learning paths for employees.


For businesses with specific industry needs, we’ve compiled a few additional tools as well.


For Retail Shops


Inventory Management:

Tools like Vend or Square Inventory use AI to track stock, predict trends, and automate reordering.

 

Customer Loyalty Programs:

Platforms like Fivestars or Loyalzoo personalize rewards and send automated reminders to drive repeat visits.

 

Visual Merchandising Assistance:

AI apps like Diorama can simulate store layouts to optimize product placement.


Pricing Optimization:

Tools like Wiser analyze competitors and suggest the best pricing strategies.


For Restaurants and Cafes


Order Management:

Toast or Square for Restaurants automates online orders, menu updates, and payment processing.


Chatbots for Reservations:

Platforms like Tock or OpenTable use AI to handle bookings, reducing staff workload.


Predictive Analytics:

SevenRooms forecasts demand and customer preferences to manage staffing and inventory effectively.


Social Media Automation:

Use Planoly or Canva Content Planner to schedule posts showcasing daily specials or events.


For Service Businesses (e.g., Salons, Spas, Auto Shops)


Appointment Scheduling:

AI-powered apps like Booksy, Fresha, or Schedulicity automate booking and send reminders.


Customer Upselling:

Tools like Mindbody suggest related services or products during the booking process.


Review Monitoring:

AI platforms like Birdeye aggregate and analyze online reviews to improve your reputation.


Employee Scheduling:

Apps like Homebase optimize staff shifts based on predicted demand.


If you want more time to innovate in your business, ask yourself where you’re spending the most time and if your skills are really needed there. If not, there’s probably an AI tool for that.


Implementing even a few of these AI solutions can free up significant time and mental bandwidth, giving you the space to strategize, innovate, and lead your business forward in 2025 and beyond.




--------------------

Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle, rediscovering the magic within.

_______________________________________

Medium: @christinametcalf

Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking

Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor

LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

The Smarter Way to Grow Customer Value

April 15, 2025
Growth isn't about getting more leads—it's about making more of the customers you have. Alex Hormozi's Four R's—Retain, Review, Refer, Resell—focus on post-purchase impact. Traditional marketing builds attention. Hormozi's model builds revenue. Combine both strategies for stronger loyalty, social proof and long-term profitability. Focus on what happens after the sale—it’s where the real growth begins. 623 words ~ 3 min. read You’re working harder than ever to win new customers—but revenue still feels flat. The problem isn’t reach. It’s what happens after the sale. That’s the insight behind entrepreneur and author Alex Hormozi’s approach to business growth. While traditional marketing focuses on building awareness and brand image through the classic Four R’s— Reach, Reputation, Renew and Refer —Hormozi shifts the focus to what drives real revenue: Retain, Review, Refer, Resell. Don’t Just Fill the Funnel—Squeeze It Traditional marketing strategies are built to attract leads. They’re critical, especially for new or growing businesses. But without a strong back end, you’re pouring new leads into a leaky funnel. Hormozi’s model aims to fix the leak and turn one-time buyers into long-term profit centers. Here’s how each step works: Retain: Loyalty Is the Real Growth Hack Customer retention is one of the most reliable ways to increase profitability. A Harvard Business Review study found that improving retention by just 5% can boost profits by up to 95%. Businesses often overinvest in attracting new customers while underinvesting in the ones they already have. Retention means strengthening relationships and solving problems before they cause churn. Review: Let Your Customers Sell for You Social proof sells. According to BrightLocal, 98% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses. Reviews build trust, shorten sales cycles and improve conversion rates. Hormozi’s advice? Make it easy for customers to leave reviews, and make sure those reviews are visible. Refer: Turn Fans Into a Growth Engine Referral programs aren’t new—but most aren’t executed well. A structured, incentivized referral system brings in leads who already trust your brand. Referred customers typically convert faster and stay longer, making them more profitable over time. Resell: Serve More, Sell More It’s easier to sell to an existing customer than to a new one. Yet many businesses stop after the first transaction. Hormozi emphasizes the importance of upselling, cross-selling and solving additional customer needs. Your warmest leads are already in your pipeline—keep serving them. A Real-World Example Consider a local fitness studio. Instead of spending thousands each month on paid ads, they focused on automating reviews and rewarding referrals. Six months later, their revenue had doubled without increasing lead volume. The secret? Maximizing the value of their existing customer base. Combine the Old and the New This isn’t about ditching traditional marketing—it’s about completing the strategy. Use Reach and Reputation to build awareness, then activate Hormozi’s Retain-Review-Refer-Resell loop to drive repeat value. Here’s a quick comparison: Marketing R's: Reach → Reputation → Renew → Refer Growth R's: Retain → Review → Refer → Resell Together, these models form a full-circle approach: Attract, deliver, retain, and expand. Try This: One R at a Time This week, choose one of the Four R’s and put it into practice. Start with Retain: What would make your best customers stay three months longer? Growth doesn’t just come from new eyes—it comes from deeper relationships. It’s time to stop chasing leads and start growing value.  --- The Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.

How to Turn Small Talk Into Big Opportunities

April 15, 2025
Let’s be real. Elevator pitches can feel like a late-night infomercial–a robotic recitation of what your business does with an added exclamation point at the end. But for business owners and sales professionals, every interaction is an opportunity. A truly effective elevator pitch transcends mere information delivery. It's about forging genuine connections that can blossom into leads, partnerships, and lasting relationships. It's about making those precious few seconds count, not just for what you say, but for how you make the other person feel. What most people get wrong in their elevator pitch is that they make it sound like a commercial and all about them, when it should be about your audience. Forget the rigid templates and the pressure to cram every detail into a thirty-second spiel. This isn’t about broadcasting; it’s about initiating a conversation. The key lies in shifting your focus from simply explaining your business to creating a spark of interest and establishing a human connection. If you take nothing else from this article know that: the pitch must ignite interest The Psychology of Connection in Brief Interactions Humans are wired for connection. Even in brief encounters, we subconsciously seek common ground, shared values, and genuine interest. Your elevator pitch should tap into this innate desire. Instead of launching into a list of features and benefits, start with a relatable problem you solve or a shared passion that drives your business. Think about your ideal client or contact. What are their pain points? What are their aspirations? Craft an opening that acknowledges their world and subtly positions your business as a potential solution or a valuable resource. This approach immediately makes the interaction less transactional and more empathetic. Storytelling Elements That Resonate While quick is crucial, weaving in a concise narrative “elevates” your pitch. Instead of saying, “We offer marketing solutions,” try something like, “I help small business owners who are overwhelmed by social media finally find a consistent way to connect with their customers and grow their brand. I saw my own sister struggle with this, and that’s why I started [Business Name].” This personal touch and the hint of a story make your pitch more memorable and relatable. Focus on the why behind your business. What motivates you? What impact do you hope to make? Sharing a sliver of your passion can create an emotional resonance that facts and figures alone can't achieve. Tailoring Pitches to Different Personality Types Not everyone responds to the same approach. Observe the person you're speaking with. Are they direct and results-oriented? Focus on the tangible benefits and your track record. Are they more relationship-focused? Emphasize collaboration and shared values. Having a few variations of your pitch allows you to adapt to different personalities and contexts. Practice delivering each version so it feels natural and authentic, rather than forced. The Importance of Active Listening Post Delivery Your elevator pitch isn't a monologue; it's the opening line of a potential dialogue. Pay close attention to the other person's reaction. Are they asking questions? Are they nodding in understanding? Are they looking over your shoulder to be bailed out of the conversation the moment they see someone they know? Use their cues to guide the conversation. Be prepared to elaborate on specific points that pique their interest. This shows you're genuinely engaged and interested in their needs, not just delivering a pre-rehearsed script. A thoughtful question in return can further deepen the connection and open doors for future interaction. Ultimately, a successful elevator pitch is less about perfection and more about authenticity. It's about conveying your passion, highlighting your value, and making a genuine connection in a short amount of time. By focusing on building rapport and leaving a lasting impression, you transform a brief encounter into a potential steppingstone for long-term growth and meaningful relationships. So, ditch the robotic recitation and embrace the art of the connection – and your pitch will get you all the way to the top floor. ------------ Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Medium: @christinametcalf Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

AI Isn’t Replacing SEO—It’s Redefining It

April 7, 2025
Google's AI-generated search summaries shift SEO from rankings to relevance. Local businesses must prioritize clarity, context, and authority in their content. Structured data, featured snippets, and site experience now influence AI visibility. Building topical depth helps businesses become the trusted source AI turns to. Winning SEO in 2025 means answering questions—not just attracting clicks. 581 words ~ 3 min read The SEO landscape is changing—and fast. But contrary to what you may have heard, SEO isn’t dead. It’s getting smarter, thanks to AI. Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) is a prime example. Instead of simply listing websites, Google now displays AI-generated summaries in response to user queries. These summaries pull from what the algorithm sees as the most trustworthy and relevant content—and that means your business needs to think differently about how it shows up online. This evolution is especially important for local businesses . A potential customer may never scroll down to your link if Google’s AI answers their question up top. But if your content is included in that summary? You’re not just visible—you’re the answer. What’s Changing?  Traditional SEO focused on keywords, backlinks, and meta tags. Today, search engines use AI to understand intent , not just terms. That means creating human-first content that clearly answers questions, reflects authority, and builds trust. Instead of writing for algorithms, businesses now need to write for clarity. AI doesn’t reward keyword stuffing—it elevates content that solves problems. Think of it this way: SEO used to be about getting found. Now, it’s about being useful. Case in Point A local HVAC company in Texas revamped its FAQ and service pages to clearly address customer pain points like “Why is my AC leaking?” and “How fast can you repair an AC unit in summer?” They added schema markup and structured headers. Within weeks, their content began appearing in AI-generated summaries. Bookings rose 22%—and their brand authority grew along with it. Your AI-Ready SEO Checklist Here are four moves your business can make today: Optimize for Featured Snippets Structure your content to answer common customer questions clearly and concisely. Use headers, lists, and direct answers. Build Topical Authority Group your content into clusters—blogs, FAQs, videos—that cover a topic deeply. This signals to AI that your site is a credible source. Enhance User Experience Fast load times, mobile optimization, and easy navigation aren’t just good UX—they’re now ranking signals. Use Structured Data (Schema Markup) Help search engines understand your content. Schema tags tell AI what your page is about—and how it fits user intent. Why This Matters for Your Business AI is changing the way customers find and choose businesses. If your content isn’t being surfaced in AI summaries, you risk losing visibility—even if your site ranks on page one. But this isn’t a threat. It’s an opportunity. Businesses that provide clear, trustworthy answers to common questions will not only stay visible—they’ll become the go-to experts in their space. And for Chamber members , this shift is a competitive edge. Most small businesses aren’t yet adapting to AI-driven search. By moving early, you stand out. What to Do Now ✅ Review your website’s top-performing pages. ✅ Ask: Do they clearly answer your customers’ most common questions? ✅ If not, update them with clarity, structure, and supporting content. ✅ Add schema markup where possible. ✅ Improve mobile speed and user experience SEO isn’t just about being found. It’s about being trusted. In the AI era, businesses that earn that trust—through clear, quality content—will lead the way. --- The Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.