If you’ve ever wondered how some businesses seem to grow while others stay stuck, it usually comes down to one thing: systems. The good news is, with the right tools and strategies (including AI), building a business that runs better – and grows faster – is now more achievable than ever.
Here are 25 things you can do, starting now.
Marketing & Lead Generation
- Use AI to write blog posts based on your most-asked questions
- Create a lead magnet and use AI to build the content (checklists, guides, etc.)
- Set up automated follow-up for every new enquiry
- Post to Facebook and LinkedIn weekly using AI-generated content
- Update your Google Business Profile regularly (AI can help draft the posts)
Sales & Customer Experience
- Use AI to generate consistent quotes faster
- Send personalised follow-ups when quotes are opened
- Survey customers automatically after each job
- Use prompts to write better proposal emails
- Add an FAQ page based on AI insights from your customer enquiries
Operations & Efficiency
- Systemise your admin tasks using simple workflows
- Train your staff with AI-generated how-to guides and video scripts
- Use AI to summarise long reports or emails so you can scan faster
- Hand off routine tasks to a virtual assistant (see the task checklist)
- Build SOPs (standard operating procedures) one task at a time – AI can draft them
Financial Health
- Use AI to spot patterns in your expenses or slow-paying clients
- Draft your price rise email with AI – then hit send
- Have a monthly reminder to review your cash flow with a simplified dashboard
- Test quoting automation tools to save hours and tighten margins
Time & Energy
- Use AI to prioritise your weekly to-do list (yes, really)
- Block out 1–2 hours each week to work *on* your business, not in it
- Outsource anything that takes longer than 30 minutes and isn’t a good use of your time
- Build a “Monday reset” checklist so your week starts calmly
- Get your team using AI too – it’s not just for owners
Start with just one
You don’t have to do all 25. In fact, trying to do that might cause more chaos. Just pick one that feels manageable – maybe something you’re already doing that takes too long – and find a way to make it smarter or smoother.
South Canterbury businesses are already doing this
From plumbers in Timaru to boutique stores in Geraldine, I’ve worked with clients who’ve saved 5–10 hours a week and seen real growth just by implementing a few of these strategies. And none of them are tech geniuses. They just made the decision to stop doing everything manually.
Want help building your dream business – faster?
If you’d like to figure out what to prioritise, where to start, and how to use the right tools (including AI) for your goals, I can help. Let’s talk about what would make the biggest difference for *you*.
