{"id":78212,"date":"2022-08-22T13:01:54","date_gmt":"2022-08-22T20:01:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/honeybook.site.strattic.io\/?p=78212"},"modified":"2023-11-02T12:13:21","modified_gmt":"2023-11-02T19:13:21","slug":"what-is-a-workflow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/what-is-a-workflow","title":{"rendered":"What is a workflow? A guide for small business owners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Creating workflows can be a game-changer for your small business. Learn what they are, how to set them up, and why you need to use automated workflows for your business.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"793\" src=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-is-a-workflow-feature-1024x793.jpg\" alt=\"Team members discussing a workflow\" class=\"wp-image-81555\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-is-a-workflow-feature-1024x793.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-is-a-workflow-feature-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-is-a-workflow-feature-768x594.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-is-a-workflow-feature-1536x1189.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-is-a-workflow-feature.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As an independent business owner, you\u2019re going to come across the term &#8220;workflow&#8221; fairly frequently. That\u2019s simply because workflows are core to how efficiently you run your business. They help you detail all your business tasks step-by-step so that you have instant visibility into whether you\u2019re taking the right approach to achieve your business goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you haven\u2019t established repeatable processes or taken the time to optimize yours, it\u2019s a great time to get started. Building efficient workflows will help you save time and scale your business.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this guide, you\u2019ll learn what workflows are, how to set them up, and why automating them can be a game changer for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jump to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#definition\">What is a workflow?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#types\">Types of workflows<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#build\">How to build a workflow for your business<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#examples\">Examples for small businesses<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#automation\">Using automated workflows<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#system\">Use a system to manage your workflows<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"87865\" class=\"elementor elementor-87865\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2237b60 e-con-full cta_click e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2237b60\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a763669 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a763669\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-acab07b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"acab07b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"403\" height=\"646\" src=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cta-1-img.png\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-87866\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cta-1-img.png 403w, https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cta-1-img-187x300.png 187w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 403px) 100vw, 403px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-711ec11 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"711ec11\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1504169 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1504169\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">More time for fun<\/span>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ea6184 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9ea6184\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Automate your repetitive tasks and admin work with HoneyBook automations.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6939b6e elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"6939b6e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/signup\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get started<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<a id=\"definition\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a workflow?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A workflow consists of a series of tasks and activities carried out to complete a specific task. From a business perspective, let\u2019s consider mutual qualification as an example. Mutual qualification happens when you\u2019re working with a prospective customer to evaluate their fit for your business and vice versa. During this process, you could have steps for the mutual qualification that would involve the following activities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-7202eac\" data-block-id=\"7202eac\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-7202eac-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-2b59355\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"2b59355\"><style>.stk-2b59355-container{margin-top:15px !important;margin-right:15px !important;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:15px !important;background-color:transparent !important;border-radius:12px !important;overflow:hidden !important;box-shadow:0 5px 5px 0 rgba(18,63,82,0.035) !important;border-style:solid !important;border-color:#ebebeb !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important}.stk-2b59355-container:before{background-color:transparent !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-2b59355-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-2b59355-inner-blocks\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><em>Client research&nbsp;<\/em>\u27f9<em>&nbsp;initial contact&nbsp;<\/em>\u27f9<em> gathering client information&nbsp;<\/em>\u27f9<em> determining mutual fit&nbsp;<\/em>\u27f9<em> deciding to go further with a formalized agreement in the form of booking the service.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\u2019re designing a workflow, it helps to create a <a href=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/process-map\">process map<\/a> or workflow diagram to help you visualize the order in which these tasks are going to take place. This will help you create a logical progression from one step to another, identify roadblocks, and figure out how to make the process more efficient and less time-consuming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Building workflows will help you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Assign accountabilities to team members and improve the way your employees work with one another.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify and eliminate tasks that are unnecessary for your process. Also, gain insights into potential stumbling blocks that could be derailing efficiency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create consistent standards to work with.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eliminate the possibility of errors, missed steps, and delays.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improve the client experience through seamless interactions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In this sense, a workflow can feel very similar to a <a href=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/what-is-a-clientflow\">clientflow.<\/a> But while these two terms are closely linked, they mean very different things. A clientflow describes the entire process service-based businesses use to sell their services and work with clients (from start to finish). Workflows are the smaller, individual steps that form the building blocks for the entire clientflow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take, for example, the mutual qualification process, which is just the beginning of your clientflow. Your other workflows can include processes like booking new clients, onboarding, and managing projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a id=\"types\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of workflows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The types of workflows you use can vary depending on your business or project needs. But generally, there are 3 different types.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sequential<\/strong>\u2014 In a sequential process, the steps take place in a linear fashion. So there\u2019s no back and forth, and you move forward from one stage to the next. A sequential workflow for contracts would look like this:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-b4daee7\" data-block-id=\"b4daee7\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-b4daee7-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-194b8c6\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"194b8c6\"><style>.stk-194b8c6-container{margin-top:15px !important;margin-right:15px !important;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:15px !important;background-color:transparent !important;border-radius:12px !important;overflow:hidden !important;box-shadow:0 5px 5px 0 rgba(18,63,82,0.035) !important;border-style:solid !important;border-color:#ebebeb !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important}.stk-194b8c6-container:before{background-color:transparent !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-194b8c6-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-194b8c6-inner-blocks\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Send the contract online to your client \u27f9 the client reads and signs, marking their task as complete \u27f9 move forward to invoice payment.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>State machine<\/strong>\u2014 The state machine structure isn\u2019t as linear. Let\u2019s say you\u2019re a business coach and you\u2019ve asked your admin team member to draft up a contract for your review. You may need to review the contract and send it back to your team member for edits a few times before you can sign off on the final version. Instead of always moving forward, you&#8217;re shifting between different states and steps. The workflow is completed when all of its states have been fulfilled.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rules-driven<\/strong>\u2014 Think of the rules-driven type as the highest level where you set up rules that need to be followed before actions can be taken.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sequential-workflow.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-78224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sequential-workflow.png 900w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sequential-workflow-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sequential-workflow-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sequential-workflow-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A sequential workflow follows linear steps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/state-machine-workflow.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-78225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/state-machine-workflow.png 900w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/state-machine-workflow-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/state-machine-workflow-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/state-machine-workflow-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A state machine workflow moves back-and-forth between steps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rules-driven-workflow.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-78226\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rules-driven-workflow.png 900w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rules-driven-workflow-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rules-driven-workflow-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rules-driven-workflow-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In a rules-driven workflow, rules need to be fulfilled before moving forward with next steps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Mapping out the steps involved in your current processes can help you determine what types of workflows to use for each. But, don\u2019t get too hung up on these definitions. They can help you identify what you\u2019re working with, but you\u2019ll probably find that it\u2019s simple to know what types you need to use once you map your series of steps.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a id=\"build\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to build a workflow for your business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you get started <a href=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/how-to-create-a-workflow\">creating a workflow<\/a>, establish the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The tasks that need to be completed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The activities required to carry out each task<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How long each activity will take<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Who will be responsible for each activity or task<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a small team, you\u2019ll want to discuss the steps with them so that you can identify any challenges early on and also obtain buy-in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The next step is to visually chart the sequence in the form of a flow chart or a process map. You can even use a checklist format if you\u2019re an independent or if you won\u2019t be assigning tasks to other team members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I recommend gathering your entire team to brain dump a list of all your business operations and process workflow for everything you do each week. Getting all written down or charted visually can help you better put the pieces together or optimize what you have.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"banner banner--dark banner--bulb\">\n<div class=\"banner__text-container\">\n<h2 class=\"banner__title\">Free worksheet: Map your process<\/h2>\n<p class=\"banner__body\">Get our process mapping worksheet to answer important questions about your workflows. View an example to help you build more efficient workflows for your business.<\/p>\n<a class=\"banner__cta\" data-sumome-listbuilder-id=\"670e8678-16d3-4441-aa8b-c2beda9ed888\">Download Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<a id=\"examples\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Examples for small businesses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, the concept can be a little hard to wrap your head around in theory. So, let\u2019s look at some real-world <a href=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/workflow-examples\">examples of workflows<\/a> for independents and small businesses.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Simple <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/invoicing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"invoicing\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">invoicing<\/a> for a graphic designer<\/strong> \u2014 Send first invoice to client \u27f9 receive payment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Contract for a photographer<\/strong> \u2014 <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/discovery-call\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Discovery call\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Discovery call<\/a> \u27f9 create proposal \u27f9 send proposal \u27f9 send contract \u27f9 receive signed contract.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lead magnet for a coach or consultant<\/strong> \u2014 Lead magnet opt-in form \u27f9 send lead magnet \u27f9 send nurture email 1 \u27f9 nurture email 2 \u27f9 nurture email 3 \u27f9 schedule discovery call.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Onboarding a fitness client<\/strong> \u2013 Send welcome packet \u27f9 gather onboarding questionnaire answers \u27f9 schedule kick-off call \u27f9 schedule fitness sessions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<a id=\"automation\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Using automated workflows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bear in mind that <a href=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/business-process-automation\">business process automation<\/a> \u2014 a method of automating your business workflows and other repetitive business-related tasks \u2014 can make your planning process a lot easier.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, you should ideally transfer the sequences you\u2019ve mapped out into an automated solution. Automation can help you stay on top of individual tasks, assign deadlines, and improve the experience for your clients. It also helps you stay competitive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A recent report on the state of business automation in 2021 indicates that <a href=\"https:\/\/zapier.com\/blog\/state-of-business-automation-2021\/\">88% of the survey participants<\/a> felt automation enabled them to compete with larger players in the market.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you use business <a href=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/automations\">workflow automation software<\/a> like HoneyBook&nbsp;for instance, you\u2019ll find it so much simpler to develop your own workflows. You\u2019ll also save a lot more time in the process.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a id=\"system\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use a system to manage your workflows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mapping, building, and optimizing your processes can be a lot of work. To make sure you\u2019re getting the most out of all this effort, make sure you\u2019re using a business system that can offer tools to manage your workflows from start to finish.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>HoneyBook\u2019s all-in-one business management system offers the tools you need, like interactive files, <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/effective-communication-with-clients\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"client communication\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">client communication<\/a>, scheduling, and automation. You can automate your business in one place without having to build processes across multiple tools. It ensures you and your team are working as efficiently as possible!<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"88404\" class=\"elementor elementor-88404\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af8975c e-con-full cta_click e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"af8975c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bbc2a58 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bbc2a58\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"256\" height=\"186\" src=\"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cta-general-banner-merino-tr.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-88406\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-324fe3f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"324fe3f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d55b379 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d55b379\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Work more efficiently \n<\/span>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-323a7b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"323a7b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set up custom automations with HoneyBook that ensure you\u2019re still providing personalized interactions. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-771d280 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"771d280\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/hbbadmin.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/signup%20\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get started<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30c1b67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"30c1b67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"175\" height=\"170\" src=\"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cta-general-banner-merino-bl.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-88407\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Creating workflows can be a game-changer for your small business. Learn what they are, how to set them up, and why you need to use automated workflows for your business. As an independent business owner, you\u2019re going to come across the term &#8220;workflow&#8221; fairly frequently. That\u2019s simply because workflows are core to how efficiently you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":816,"featured_media":81555,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[475,336],"class_list":["post-78212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-best-practices","tag-business-processes","tag-workflow"],"acf":[],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-is-a-workflow-feature.jpg",2000,1548,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-is-a-workflow-feature-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-is-a-workflow-feature-300x232.jpg",300,232,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-is-a-workflow-feature-768x594.jpg",768,594,true],"large":["https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-is-a-workflow-feature-1024x793.jpg",1024,793,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-is-a-workflow-feature-1536x1189.jpg",1536,1189,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-is-a-workflow-feature.jpg",2000,1548,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>Creating workflows can be a game-changer for your small business. Learn what they are, how to set them up, and why you need to use automated workflows for your business. As an independent business owner, you\u2019re going to come across the term &#8220;workflow&#8221; fairly frequently. That\u2019s simply because workflows are core to how efficiently you run your business. They help you detail all your business tasks step-by-step so that you have instant visibility into whether you\u2019re taking the right approach to achieve your business goals. If you haven\u2019t established repeatable processes or taken the time to optimize yours, it\u2019s a&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"<a href=\"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/category\/business-best-practices\" rel=\"category tag\">Business best practices<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Irene Lopez","url":"https:\/\/hbb.dev.reliablepenguin.com\/blog\/author\/irene-lopez"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is a Workflow? A Guide for Small Business Owners | HoneyBook<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What is a workflow? Complete game-changers for your small business. 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