As businesses grow, it is easy for the owner to lose sight of what’s happening. More and more people come in, and original processes mutate, develop, or fall by the wayside. Often this can benefit your business enormously as new ideas and ways of working are introduced. But sometimes this can lead to inefficiencies like duplication of processes, and excess administration. So how can you help get things back on track?
Assess
Assessing each business process can itself be inefficient. Think of all the other things you could be doing with your time! Instead, invite each manager to plot their working processes. Each work map can then visually be integrated with the others. You should easily be able to identify any overlaps. The managers of each department might also be encouraged to open dialogues into more efficient ways of working with each other.
Your human resources might not be as efficient as they could be. You are, after all, paying them for their time. That time needs to be used effectively and profitably. When was the last time your human resources worker manuals or policies were updated? Perhaps you haven’t yet developed a company policy or cultural statement? Now is a great time to set one up.
Policy
You should determine acceptable practices and non-acceptable practices in easy to follow text. If you don’t like the idea of employees eating at their desks make that policy. If tardiness is detrimental to your customers and business practices, encourage employees to ‘clock in’ and out. By implementing workforce management solutions, you can help your staff members to become more efficient and valuable assets.
Motivate
Motivation is a big factor in improving efficiency. If your employees are keen to be involved in their projects, they are more likely to work with focus and energy. You cannot expect the workforce to come to your place of business with enthusiasm. You must provide them with interesting and stimulating work. Get to know your employees better so you can offer them the right mix of challenge and achievement recognition.
Rest
Of course, breaks and vacations are an important part of efficiency. If your workers are not well rested and rejuvenated, their efficiency levels will drop. Work may become less effective and of a lesser quality. A variety of activities is important too so nobody is left with a single task for hours at a time. It can be helpful if they see you and the other business leaders get involved as well, instead of sitting back and observing.
Manufacturing is an area of business where efficiency is crucial to the bottom line. If your processes and equipment cannot keep up with demand, you might lose customers. Equally, goods that are overproduced will not sell, and you have wasted valuable resources in production. Data analysts can help you find that balance. They can analyze historic data to better predict the near future. If you have a good idea of what is required, you can supply the right amount. Review your processes regularly as your business grows.
