The Magic of Delegation: How an OBM Can Be Your Business’s Secret Weapon
This guest blog is bought to us by Meredith Nowlan from The Regional OBM.
Are you ready to take your business to the next level and know that you need a hand to do it? Perhaps you’ve just signed up with a business coach or a virtual CFO and they’ve given you an action list that’s as overwhelming as it is invigorating. Well, I’ve got some great news for you. I’m going to dive into the wonderful world of Online Business Managers (OBMs) and how having one can positively impact your business. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s explore how an OBM can work wonders for your business.
Streamlined Operations and Processes
Picture this: you’re running your business and it’s gaining momentum. It’s freaking amazing, but sometimes the day-to-day operations can get a little stressful/time-consuming/all-encompassing (insert your own experience here!).
Enter the OBM, your wing woman in business. These magical beings specialise in optimising and streamlining your business operations and processes. From creating efficient workflows to implementing systems that make your life easier, an OBM will have your business running like a well-oiled machine.
Strategic Planning and Goal Setting
Remember the coach or new CFO I mentioned earlier? They’ve clued into the fact that you’ve got big dreams and even bigger goals. Sometimes, it can be challenging to turn those dreams into reality, even with the awesome assistance they’re giving you. That’s where an OBM comes in. Share your goals with her and every plan that she makes will help you navigate towards the desired end result. Your regular catch up’s will turn into brainstorming sessions on the best way forward – and she’ll love it just as much as you do.
Delegating and Managing Teams
As a small business owner, you wear many hats. And there are days where trying to juggle all the tasks can leave you feeling like a one-person circus act. So don’t let fear hold you back! An OBM is here to protect your sanity. They’re masters at delegating and managing teams. They’ll help you build a dream team of talented individuals and ensure everyone has the tools they need to work seamlessly. This particular OBM is not afraid to employ tech stacks where necessary – automagic is just a few key strokes away! With an OBM on your side, you can focus on what you love and let them handle the rest.
My tip – a project management system such as Trello, ClickUp and Asana can really make an impact on getting started with the first 3 topics!
Enhanced Customer Experience and Satisfaction
Having a kickass customer journey and customer service can be the difference between you and your competition. Happy customers mean repeat business and positive word-of-mouth, and that’s pure gold. This process should be a well-oil machine that cranks every single time – no matter which team member picks up the order or how many after-school activities you are actively ubering this week. An OBM can work with you to implement customer-centric strategies and processes that will leave your customers smiling from ear to ear.
Dubsado is the client relationship management system I utilise inside my own business and recommend most to my clients!
Time and Stress Management
I get it. Running a business can feel like a never-ending rollercoaster ride, especially when you throw in family and community responsibilities (or just trying to get to the pub for dinner on Friday night to remind friends you still live). It’s exhilarating, but it can also be exhausting. An OBM is like your personal time and stress management guru. They’ll help you reclaim your precious time and alleviate stress by handling operational tasks. So take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy a better work-life balance. You deserve it!
When an OBM is not for you
If you aren’t ready to implement change, hand over partial control of the reins or really don’t want suggestions on how to improve your systems, communication and automations… then what I’d suggest is looking into a Virtual Assistant (VA). VA’s are more than happy to follow a set checklist to help you manage the day-to-day. Whilst many of them are happy to think outside the box, they understand that it’s not what they’re here for and will gladly follow your lead. There’s nothing wrong with being at this stage – so long as you aren’t sitting stagnant out of fear of what could come next!
How to start with an OBM
If you are wondering how to start with an OBM, the first step is booking a discovery call! In this first session, we’ll chat about what’s going well in your business and where you are struggling with keeping up, maintaining control and what systems need a good tightening. Understanding what systems and software you’ve in place already gives me a great idea of where you need to head next to achieve the vision you have for your business.
An OBM is a game-changer, offering streamlined operations, strategic planning, team management, automation wizardry, enhanced customer experiences, and stress relief. So why wait? Embrace the benefits bringing on OBM onboard will bring – you won’t look back!
About Meredith
Meredith Nowlan is a Systems Strategist and Online Business Manager with extensive experience in the logistics, mining and transport industries. She’s worked in almost every role an office could have and considers herself the ultimate wing woman in the business world. From kickstarting your Dubsado setup to creating streamlined systems and automations across various apps, Meredith has your back when it comes to sprinkling auto-magic over your business. Based in FNQ, Meredith works remotely with business owners from all around Australia (some from their caravans!) to ensure their businesses run like a well-oiled, efficient machine that frees up your time and skyrockets your success.
Book a discovery call with Meredith Nowlan from The Regional OBM, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
Follow The Regional OBM on Instagram and Facebook for more helpful tips.
