1. Dan Akers - Co-Founder, LightStart

2. Most Businesses...

3. Some quick rules
Almost every company starts off doing things in the cheapest way
There are multiple alternatives to every system
Selecting the right systems is time-consuming, but important
‘Make do’ for the longest time

4. Team Access/edit docs anywhere, on any device
Work on documents collaboratively - your team & your customers
Access files anywhere, on any device
Share files, don’t
Answer your business lines anywhere, on any device
IVR, Voic , hunt groups, pick up groups
Keep in touch with your (extended) team anywhere, on any device
Create conversational ‘context’, share files and links

5. Team | Customer | Sales
Use video-conferencing with screen sharing, waiting room, chat
Reduce travel time, reduce ‘down-time’ and stress

6. Sales Store client details
Track sales pipeline, trigger activities, integrate with other systems
The most popular website platform
Infinite themes & plugins - especially WooCommerce
Track all visitors to your website, track campaign success
Complicated, but powerful - data lasts ‘forever’
Real-time visitor details
Follow up on other platforms

7. Admin
Task lists & cards - checklists, files, images, due dates - on any device
Invite customers to collaborate
Virtual PA - outsource anything that doesn’t need to be done by you
Pay by 15 minute slot
Create and share calendars for team members, via any device
See work tasks alongside personal tasks
Do as much admin as you can, on your phone
Learn to turn it off… long before you need to sleep!

8. Accounts
Access/reconcile your accounts from anywhere - share with accountants/bookkeepers
An OK accounting platform, with an amazing marketplace of add-ons
Push receipts to your accounting software
Share via photos, mobile app, invoices
Take payments as Direct Debits instead of card payments
Re-attempt failed payments using rules
Forecasting using live accountancy data - real-time cashflow or multiple scenarios
Up to date export of profit & loss, balance sheet, cashflow

9. HR | Recruitment | Legals
Outsource your HR & Legals to a 3rd Party - ask questions, avoid meetings
Outsource referencing, upgrade your compliance, contracts and documents
Probably the worst website in the world
Still well used, and free
Use an online signing tool to send, track and complete signature requests
Time consuming to set-up, but absolutely worth it
Ask for a video application - provide questions to answer
Review candidates on your phone, anywhere

10. Marketing Maintain and contact email lists, remain GDPR compliant
Integrate with other systems to track campaign success
PPC - Pay Per Click - sponsored links in Google results
Should return more than it costs - but super complicated
Adverts via Facebook, LinkedIn or other social platforms
Track success, capture leads, capture form data (LinkedIn)
Run events - free events cost nothing, paid events cost %
Gather details from attendees - chat with them before and after

11. Customers
Chatbots allow multiple concurrent conversations - 1: mixing AI & human
Facebook Messenger for businesses is a chatbot (sort of)
Add webforms to your website to capture enquiries
Push form enquiries directly into your CRM
Only set up on social platforms your customers actually use (try Google Analytics)
Social networks are a time drain - outsource if you can, but commit to responding
Share calendars, invite attendees to calendar bookings
Use a slot sharing/booking platform to share availability

12. Products & Services (Almost) everyone needs a marketing website
There are ‘off the shelf’ systems to do almost everything
If you don’t need ‘new’ features or functionality, use something ‘off the shelf’
You only need an app if you need the features of a smartphone, or you want ‘stickiness’ - putting a marketing device in your customer’s pocket

13. About LightStart
LightStart are an analysis-led, digital design house, based in Leeds:
We provide analysis and specifications for projects, including ‘digital’ projects like apps, websites and platforms
We develop apps, websites and digital platforms
We run engaging, interactive business events, training and workshops
Our clearly defined process helps digital projects run smoothly and predictably
If you or anyone you know has a great idea, and would benefit from an analytical, integrated approach for their project, please contact us: