If your files, email, and data are chaos, AI won’t save you—it will multiply the mess. Here’s the no-drama foundation that actually speeds up decisions and revenue.
What “foundations” really mean
Clear files, clean data, working dashboards, email that routes itself, and a site people can use on mobile.
The 7 essentials
1) Domain & email auth (SPF/DKIM/DMARC) — so your emails land, not spam.
2) Analytics + Search Console — know which pages bring traffic and why.
3) Drive tree that scales — one root, shared folders, simple naming rules.
4) Inbox rules + a weekly reset — labels, filters, one-touch habits.
5) Simple CRM — stages, tags, and two automations you’ll actually use.
6) Fast website — lightweight theme, caching on, compressed images.
7) Backups & access control — automatic backups + least-privilege logins.
30-day starter plan
Week 1: Set SPF/DKIM/DMARC. Connect Analytics & Search Console. Turn on caching.
Week 2: Build the Drive tree and apply one naming convention.
Week 3: Create labels/filters and do the 15-minute Weekly Reset.
Week 4: Define CRM stages/tags and add two automations (new lead → next step; won deal → fulfilment checklist).
Action: Start with one thing today: set SPF/DKIM in your domain. Tomorrow, build the Drive tree.