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Starting a new agency specializing in AI automation is an exciting endeavor, but launching requires careful planning and preparation. As you get ready to open your doors, what should be your top priorities? Here are 10 must-do’s that lay a solid groundwork for success.
1. Refine Your Agency’s Focus and Offerings
It’s tempting to be everything to everyone in AI automation, but trying to serve every possible client dilutes your brand. Conduct in-depth competitor research to identify an ideal niche where you can provide unique value. Develop focused service packages that align with this niche. Become known as the experts in your chosen focus area.
2. Build Your Tech Stack
Carefully evaluate tools for robotics process automation, conversational AI, computer vision, NLP, and more. Select platforms that integrate well and provide the capabilities needed for your services. Get hands-on experience with the tech so you can guide clients later. Don’t forget infrastructure – your stack must be secure, scalable and compliant.
3. Create Internal Processes and Workflows
Map out how client projects will progress end-to-end through your agency. Document processes, workflows, guidelines, and best practices around sales, onboarding, delivery, support and more. Develop protocols to ensure optimal collaboration across roles. Smooth internal operations impress clients and boost quality.
4. Establish Compliance and Security Standards
For enterprises, compliance, IP protection, and data security are top concerns when implementing automation. institute policies, procedures, controls, and safeguards to address these. Certify your compliance with standards like ISO. Clients will validate these have teeth – prove you can pass audits.
5. Start Building Your Team
Surround yourself with people possessing complementary skill sets: technical experts in AI and automation, project managers, sales professionals, subject matter experts for your niche, etc. Vet candidates thoroughly for both skills and culture fit. Move quickly to snag top talent before competitors do.
6. Plan Your Marketing and Sales Strategy
How will you get the word out and generate leads? Which platforms and tactics will you leverage? Build inbound and outbound campaigns that attract your ideal buyer personas. Make sure sales materials clearly communicate your value prop. Enable sales reps to effectively convey your expertise.
7. Develop Account Planning Frameworks
Design structures sales reps can use to map out multi-phase engagements tailored to clients’ needs. Document solution selling stages, milestones, and pricing models. Create frameworks to diagnose clients’ automation readiness across people, process, and technology.
The foundation you lay pre-launch will determine how quickly your agency gains traction and carves out market share. Keep the priorities above front and center as you turn plans into reality. The more thoughtful preparation you undertake, the faster momentum will build post-launch. Here’s to defying the odds and becoming an AI automation leader!
