Unlocking Business Potential: How Entrepreneurs Can Leverage Calendly for Growth
Forward from Andrew Edwards, co-founder of designACE
Hey there, fellow entrepreneurs! Andrew Edwards here, co-founder of designace.ca. I'll be the first to admit, organization isn't my strongest suit. When I'm trying to coordinate meetings, I sometimes forget to respond in the midst of the back-and-forth of finding a date that works. I hate how figuring out the right time to collaborate can steal focus from building genuine connections and slow down the process of actually getting to connect.
Over the years, I’ve worn many hats—designer, strategist, and business developer. One challenge that has always stood out is managing appointments and meetings efficiently. As someone who books meetings for my role as Futures Innovation Partner at OCAD U Co, Founder of designACE, and board member of MGFC and the Gilbert Centre, I am coordinating meetings across many calendars. Early on, our team at designace.ca struggled with scheduling conflicts, missed opportunities, and the endless back-and-forth of setting up meetings.
Missing meetings and opportunities due to these logistical headaches was incredibly frustrating. It felt like so much time and effort was wasted just trying to get everyone on the same page. Every missed meeting was a potential lost opportunity to connect, collaborate, and grow. For someone like me, who is hustling to grow my empire, these inefficiencies were not just inconvenient—they were roadblocks to success. They took precious time away from strategic thinking and meaningful interactions, which are the true drivers of growth and innovation.
We needed a solution to streamline this process, allowing us to focus more on growing our business and less on the logistics of meeting management. That’s when we discovered Calendly. It transformed how we schedule meetings, saving us time and reducing the stress of coordinating multiple calendars. Now, we can dedicate our energy to what truly matters—building genuine connections and pushing our ventures forward.
-ACE
Co-founder, designACE
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And no, we aren’t sponsored by Calendly—we just love it and want to share how we're using it to make scheduling a breeze.
Simplified Scheduling Process
Calendly’s intuitive interface allows you to set your availability preferences and share your link with anyone. This eliminates the need for endless email chains and allows clients to book a time that works for both parties. At designACE, we've found this feature particularly useful in reducing the administrative burden of scheduling meetings. Numerous studies and user reports highlight the significant time savings and efficiency improvements offered by automating scheduling processes.
What could you do with 20 more hours a month?
Enhanced Client Experience
Providing a seamless booking experience with Calendly has enhanced our professionalism and made it easier for clients to engage with us. They appreciate the convenience and immediate confirmation of their appointments. A report by HubSpot indicates that 69% of clients prefer to book their appointments online, underscoring the growing demand for such convenient scheduling solutions. This positive experience reflects well on our brand and helps build stronger relationships.
Increased Productivity
With Calendly handling the scheduling, our team can focus on core business activities. We no longer waste time coordinating meetings or dealing with scheduling conflicts. This boost in productivity has been instrumental in allowing us to scale our business development efforts at designace.ca. By automating our scheduling, we've freed up valuable time to concentrate on strategic growth and client projects.
Integration with Other Tools
Calendly integrates seamlessly with various tools we use, such as Google Calendar, Zoom, and Slack. This integration ensures that all our appointments are synced across platforms, reducing the risk of double-booking and ensuring smooth communication within our team. The seamless integration with other tools means fewer headaches and more streamlined operations, a critical factor for any growing business. At designACE, we use Calendly to coordinate multiple calendars, simplify outreach for first meetings, and manage partner-specific time blocks. We particularly appreciate the enhanced communication and automatic reminders and follow-ups.
Real-Life Application: How We Use Calendly at designACE
At designACE, we've implemented Calendly for various purposes, from client consultations to team meetings and collaborative sessions with partners. Here’s how we use it:
Coordinating Multiple Calendars: Managing Andrew’s personal calendar, designACE, and OCAD U Co can be a full-time job. Calendly makes it seamless.
First Meetings and BD Outreach: Linking someone directly to your schedule simplifies outreach.
Partner-Specific Meetings: We time block specific days for specific reasons. Want to meet with Andrew to talk Futures Innovation? He's available Monday/Tuesday/Thursday. Want to chat about fundraising? He's available on specific days.
Internal Coordination: Simplifies scheduling for internal team meetings.
Conclusion: Take Control of Your Schedule with Calendly
For entrepreneurs looking to enhance their business development efforts, adopting a scheduling tool like Calendly can be a game-changer. At designACE, it has streamlined our appointment management, improved client experiences, and boosted our productivity. By simplifying the scheduling process, Calendly allows us to focus on what truly matters—growing our business and delivering exceptional results for our clients.
If you are an entrepreneur looking to streamline your business and improve your strategy, let us help you unlock your business's full potential. Visit designace.ca for expert advice on optimizing your business operations and marketing strategies, and see how we can elevate your success!
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