Ever get an automated message from a company that just felt… off? Like it was giving you the wrong info or trying too hard to be human (and failing)?
We all have stories about automation gone wrong. These messages make us cringe and think twice about doing business with that company in the future.
But automation isn’t all bad. It’s a key efficiency booster for business owners strapped for time. AI can also alleviate the stresses of endless to-do lists. If you’ve ever used it to handle repetitive tasks or organize your thoughts, you see the value.
So how do you automate communication without losing your humanity? Is it possible to lean on AI without becoming over reliant?
The Value of Non-Digital Communication
If there’s one thing we’ve learned at The Birthday Company, it’s that clients appreciate authenticity. It’s why we send out automated birthday cards your clients can physically open and touch.
In a Shutterfly survey, two in three U.S. adults said they preferred receiving physical cards over digital ones. The survey included younger participants—62% millennials and 59% Gen Z. More than half of survey respondents said they prefer greetings with a personalized message rather than generic templates or AI-generated messages.
Most businesses would jump on the opportunity to send personalized, handwritten greeting cards—if only they didn’t already have so many things to do.
Today’s Biggest Business Efficiency Challenges
Do any of these efficiency challenges sound familiar?
Time Management and Productivity
Sometimes it feels like no matter how many items you cross off your to-do list, you still get nothing done. Many business owners are constantly busy, yet they can’t seem to make a dent in their key priorities.
You might be spending your time on the wrong tasks. Eighty percent of employees spend their workdays performing tasks with little to no value. Only 20% of their day is dedicated to important tasks.
Dealing with Distractions and Interruptions
Disruptions to your workday are normal. But if they’re constantly stealing away your attention, they may be holding you back from your larger business goals.
Most business owners spend 2-3 hours of their day dealing with unexpected tasks and disruptions. This includes things like responding to emails, attending meetings, and completing low-priority tasks.
Decision Fatigue
From choosing a CRM to hiring employees, business owners are feeling the pressure of decision fatigue. An Oracle study revealed that many people feel overwhelmed by the amount of data available and underqualified to make decisions. Eighty-five percent say they’ve suffered from decision distress.
Technology has made it easier than ever to navigate the workday. But sometimes all the available options stand in the way of productivity.
Maintaining Client Relationships
Consistent communication helps clients stay engaged with your business. But keeping in touch is easier said than done. Customers expect personalized experiences across all channels and touchpoints. Most businesses simply don’t have the resources to dedicate to this level of attention.
To stay competitive, they’ll have to find a solution. This is likely one of the reasons many brands have recently said they plan to increase their annual personalization budgets by as much as 29%.
How Automation and AI are Streamlining Business Operations
Enter automation and AI. The vast majority of businesses have experimented with at least one. Here are some of the top ways automation and AI make doing business easier.
Tackling Repetitive Tasks with Speed and Efficiency
AI-driven automation can supercharge your efficiency. How? By handling repetitive tasks on your to-do list with greater speed and accuracy than any human. This allows your team to focus on the tasks that provide value.
Simplifying Decision-Making
Weeding through large amounts of data and information is time-consuming. AI can analyze that data for you and provide insights that help you make better business decisions.
Improving the Customer Experience
Using AI, companies have enabled more personalized customer interactions with help from chatbots and virtual assistants. While the technology isn’t perfect, it’s helped companies speed up processes and provide a better customer experience.
Automating Processes
Marketing, data entry, invoice processing… all are tasks you can automate to save time. More businesses are jumping on the automation train. By 2026, 30% of all enterprises are expected to automate more than half of their operations.
You can even start simple. Sending automated birthday cards to your clients can save you anywhere between 45-90 minutes, and you don’t have to worry about forgetting client birthdays.
Blending Automation with a Personal Touch
We’re in the business of birthday cards, where personalization is everything. It might seem like automation and personalization are polar opposites, but they don’t have to be. Below we’ve included some tips for adding your personal touch to automated client greeting cards.
1. Add personal signatures.
Your signature is your personal stamp of approval. Handwritten signatures from your team show clients that everyone in your business is rooting for their success. They make your greeting card feel more authentic and build trust.
2. Customize your design.
You don’t have to choose a different birthday card design for every client. Your signature, company branding, and logo can go a long way in making your card feel unique. At The Birthday Company, we’re always rotating our designs so your clients never get a card that’s exactly the same.
3. Set up trigger-based sending.
Trigger-based sending helps you make sure you never miss a client’s birthday. It eliminates the need for manually sending and tracking your greeting card, freeing up valuable space on your to-do list. Plus, your clients will feel like you’re always thinking of them on their special day.
4. Send a gift.
A thoughtful gift can take your birthday card to the next level. The Birthday Company automates the process of sending personalized birthday gifts, so you don’t have to spend time selecting, customizing, and delivering your gift.
Automate the Process of Sending Client Birthday Cards with The Birthday Company
Ready to take a hands-off approach to sending birthday greetings to clients? Automated birthday cards are a great way to keep your business top of mind while reducing your workload. We’ll help you strike a balance between automating your birthday communications and showing clients you genuinely value their business.
Request a free sample birthday card with your business branding today!
Still not convinced?
Have a free sample of one of our business birthday cards mailed to you and see for yourself why you should use The Birthday Company for all your corporate birthday card needs.