No business likes to find themselves in a static position – while it is (just) better than a declining performance, the ultimate game is to keep moving forward and continually improve and capture more market share and achieve more goals.
The Axcelerate team often deal with businesses and organisations going through various stages of process improvement and as they move towards a new software solution like aXcelerate Training Management Software, they often share the process that they have gone through in their quest to improve the way they do their business.
Below you will find some processes that your organisation can implement to help improve your business objectives.
1. Engage Your Employee’s Knowledge
When you are looking to improve or introduce processes often the most valuable resources you have are overlooked for external consultants. Don’t discount the impact that your staff’s knowledge, experience and ideas can have on streamlining the way you do business. Chances are they have already noticed the things you are wanting to change or address and have solid, experienced based solutions in mind.
2. Look For Better Software
There have been some incredible advancements in software in recent years, both in functionality and affordability. Has your business kept up to date? You may be able to automate some presently cumbersome processes or access new levels of data that can transform your business. Most software companies offer obligation free trials and training sessions, so dedicate some time to ensuring that your IT is moving with your business.
3. Find Best Practices
If you are going to give something an overhaul, why not go all the way? Do some research into what the best industry practices are for the task you’re looking to develop or implement and take steps to ensure that you are on the forefront of change and development. Good sources of reliable information include industry bodies and professional associations.
4. Reinvent Your Business or Your Product Offering
Have your products and services moved with the times? If you’re finding yourself treading water in your industry without really making advancements, maybe it is time to relook at your service offering and value proposition. This is another aspect where having a process to include your staff in reviews and planning can really pay off – particularly those in the front line customer facing roles. What feedback have they heard from customers? What do they think would make it better or more relevant?
5. Have A Process For Collaboration and Suggestions
Foster a culture of innovation in your workplace by implementing a program that openly requests (and rewards) staff for making suggestions that could improve the way things are done or what you are offering your customers. Employees who are actually doing the job are often the best source of information when you’re looking to overhaul a process or service so make sure you have a system in place to tap into this valuable resource.
Evolving or moving on from the way that a business has always done things can be a big decision in itself for a business, but in order to keep things fresh and in a position to move forward, it is often an essential process to undertake. Remember the old adage that ‘nothing changes if nothing changes’ and get started on taking steps to improve your business today.
What processes would you like to see implemented to improve your business?
12 Responses
I believe having good employer and employees relation also add much to the success of the business. Because if the boss have a heart for their employees and vice versa they would really work together as a team towards the progress of the company.
I so agree, Karen.
I find reading this at this morning hour yummy, it just change my mind and also set it to focus on this process, thanks you for enlightening me.
Thanks so much for sharing these tips! As a young entrepreneur, I really need all the help that I can get so that my business will grow even more and be successful!
Thanks for the tips. This is very insightful. These days, I find it a necessity to lesrn technology and learn how to utilize it to grow your business.
It’s always best to streamline businesses with good processes and systems. I once moved from a very organized, practically paperless company to a very low-tech one. I went from filing my DTR via an intranet system to manually filling out forms complete with carbon paper! Yucky sa hassle.
When dealing with the company transformation, it’s always have the “back up” of innovations or reforms to fall back into when worst comes to worst. Likewise, a selection of ideas to be presented and decided upon by the top management when advancing the business developments. Also, there are more to do when things got worst or really it needed some uplifting of the other facets of the operations.
It’s really important for businesses to create structures and continuously assess it against current practices.
Thank you for the tips. I’ve been running an online shop, Flaired Hair Extensions and I also believe we should continuously improve our business practices
I agree. The only way to grow is to keep moving forward and one of the best ways to do this is really to take advantage of better technology.
I love all of the list. I would love to add Passion and teamwork. Innovation on business too is a factor in bringing your business to success
In order to make business works one must have made plans and structures. I also love the way of involving employees and giving them rewards for their help.