ARTICLE

"THE STREAMLINERS"
The Sun Herald (Sydney)
3 August 2003

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Feeling snowed under at work? Time to call in the efficiency experts, Alison Aphrys writes.

Karina Samperi's eyes light up when she talks about her work. "One of the things I love is that I'm helping people to change their lives," she said. "When I work with a client, I aim to assist them to build and strengthen their business through improved efficiency."

As the director of Samperi Consulting, however, what Samperi does is far beyond corralling and controlling paperwork.

"If people really want to improve their systems, become more productive and see real efficiency gains, they have to change their attitudes and thinking," she said.

Impeccably attired in a simple yet smart navy suit, Samperi looks as immaculate as her chosen business suggests.

So what is a Business Efficiency™ expert?

"Quite simply, I help people find a better, more productive and efficient way to manage their business," she said. "My aim is to build and strengthen the foundations of their business and facilitate it moving up to the next step in the growth cycle.

"It's not just about improving systems, it's about changing your paradigm to allow these solutions to work for you."

While she looks at various methods to improve businesses, Samperi would never presume to have all the answers.

"I have learnt that certain ideas can only come from within a client's business," she said.

Before moving into her present role, Samperi worked in Australia, Canada and the UK in administration and managerial positions.

"Having the experience of working across a wide variety of industries and office environments, from small business to multinational corporations, means that I have been exposed to many different business methods," she said.

Good communications is paramount to success in the industry, Samperi said.

Empathy is also extremely important, because many people, while realising they need to change their current business practices, can find the reality a bit of struggle.

Samperi concedes that you need to be able to jump between a coolly logical approach and one that is more emotive.

"It's great because I can tap into the creative 'right brain' thinking and then swing to the 'left brain' when analytical, planning and attention to detail is required," she said.

When a new client comes on board, Samperi will work with them and undertake a thorough business audit, concentrating on their areas of concern. From there, an action plan is developed that is tailored for that particular business.

Samperi or her assistant Liz Patterson may then work on-site with the client on their specific areas of focus, which can be organisational structure, business systems and methods, solving key frustrations and recruitment management.

Samperi said she gets a real thrill when a client makes the breakthrough and achieves - and maintains - a goal.

"It's wonderful when they see how much time they save and how much more productive they can become," she said.

Renee Reynolds agrees. As a director of KR Consulting, a permanent and temporary recruitment consultancy, Reynolds sought Samperi's help to streamline her business.

"Working with Samperi certainly made us a more efficient organisation by assisting us to consolidate and refine our procedures," Reynolds said.

Co-director Suzanne Kinsman agreed. "It was a very practical, logical and systematic approach," she said. "Directors and staff could see the immediate improvement in workflow and its effects on morale."

Samperi Consulting also runs regular day and evening workshops, distributes an e-newsletter and operates the Business Efficiency™ Hotline.

"The hotline is designed specifically for those who have completed an individual consultation, a Business Efficiency™ project or have attended a Business Efficiency™ workshop," Samperi said.

"I had a small business owner call me recently who was thrilled with our help. She had reduced her working time by 45 minutes a day, while increasing her productivity by 20 per cent.

"She was delighted that she can now take off an afternoon a week and relax with her family."

About the Author
Alison Aprhys is an experienced and creative freelance writer and photojournalist whose writing and photographs have been published by many leading newspapers, journals and magazines. Alison specialises in covering sport and lifestyle topics. Alison can be contacted on 0412 012 904 or for more information, go to her website www.shewrites.com.au

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