Unlocking the Secrets of Business Automation with Nikki McKnight

Ever feel like your marketing efforts are getting lost in a sea of tech tools and automation jargon? Let's cut through the noise and get back to basics with systems that actually work for you! In this episode, Nikki McKnight joins me to dive into the often overlooked side of marketing automation—what we need to consider before getting lost in the tech and tools. We'll explore the foundational elements of systems and operations, breaking down the essentials that ensure your business runs smoothly and effectively. Nikki shares her journey from a curious kid fascinated by how things work to a seasoned systems and ops expert. We discuss the critical questions to ask before choosing tools, the difference between automated and automatic systems, and how to make decisions that keep your business flexible and resilient. In this episode of the podcast, we talk about: Understanding the difference between systems and operations Key questions to ask before choosing project management tools Why striving for automatic over automated systems can make a difference How to avoid being overly reliant on a single person or platform Real-life examples of simplifying processes to improve efficiency Insights into selecting the best tech tools to support your business goals …And More!   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Sked Social Sked Social champions the power of automation to elevate your social media marketing game. Stop wasting hours posting manually and instead claim back your work/life balance with advanced auto-post tech that even lets you post Instagram stories with link stickers. Plus, simplify internal approvals and share review links with clients for easy sign-off with Sked’s streamlined approvals process; and harness the power of Sked’s AI to automate reporting and other tedious tasks. Sked gives you the insights you need to supercharge your socials and the freedom to keep your content fresh and creative: https://skedsocial.com/why-sked-social?utm_source=mindful_marketer&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=automation_episode Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside  Digital Brain PowerPack Your past content has stories, insights, and value that deserves another day in the spotlight. The Digital Brain PowerPack guides you in the tools and methods I use for my done-for-you clients to resurface your content treasures, allowing you to tell richer, deeper stories without the constant pressure of starting from scratch: https://onlinedrea.com/digital-brain/    About the Guest: Nikki McKnight is the operations and systems strategist behind the success of founders driven to build businesses beyond themselves. With over 15 years of experience in operations and logistics, Nikki has honed her craft in optimizing operations, enhancing communication, and nurturing high-performing teams across diverse business landscapes. Driven by a fascination for the magic behind the scenes of film and TV, Nikki sees herself as the director of the unseen processes. She believes that true admiration for success lies not just in the spotlight but in understanding the backstage mechanics that make it possible. Outside of ops, Nikki is a speed reader of queer romance novels, a connoisseur of stand-up comedy, a devotee of feminist movie podcasts, and an enthusiastic consumer of all things caffeinated. Website: https://theopsshop.biz/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamnikkimck/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkimcknight/   Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/316