|
Most of us are in business to grow. However,
growth is not always easy and can involve a large dose of pain.
As often happens with growing businesses, the way things are done
at conception is simply adapted and modified along with the growth
in sales. It is only when you take time to get expert outside advice
that you discover what is not immediately obvious.
Learning about the key concerns and experiences of both employers
and employees helps to uncover the core operational frustrations
of the business, which in turn clearly identifies the opportunities
and issues that need to be addressed and/or reviewed.
Five key strategies to ensure smooth
Business Operations
1. Get it Right the First Time
Establish the ability to delegate jobs. This can be done by documenting
duties and systems, as well as standardising communication and computing
systems to help unblock operational bottlenecks. To keep up with
the many changes that growth brings, as well as set the right scene
for future growth, you will often find that seeking outside assistance
will allow you to do it once, and do it right.
2. Improve competence with increased
Training and Development
The transition to a larger staff base often means additional coaching
needs and management development. By providing the business owners
with management and workplace training, there is an improved understanding
of, and ability to promote, the business operational systems put
in place to improve efficiencies. Training can also improve staff
delegation and communication on business efficiency, set-up of business
systems and management of staff meetings.
3. HR specialists can identify growth
potential
Running a business without a formal Human Resources system is a
common conundrum for growing companies. At what point can you justify
putting a specialist in the role? It’s important to retain
flexibility rather than add to costs by taking on another staff
member to look after this function. Outsourcing the Human Resources
role to someone who can set up systems and review the organisational
structure will allow you to identify growth areas and development
in the staff management arena.
4. Standardise Operating Procedures
for greater Efficiency
Writing letters from scratch every time is very time-consuming.
Developing and using a standardised system for letters, contracts,
proposals, reports and forms frees up resources and helps operations
run more smoothly. All documentation should be collected and a template
system set up to ensure staff have access to hard and soft copies
of new documents and instructions.
5. The Right Tools for Growth
Continued education is a vital key to the successful management
of business growth, change and development. Attending seminars and
workshops on small business growth will provide you with practical
‘how-to’ information, case studies, theories and examples
and the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, industry
experts and key players in your field.
Addressing all of these issues before they present
a problem will set you on the path to successful business development
and assist in easing those growing pains that go hand-in-hand with
an expanding company.
About the Author
Karina Samperi is the founder of the Samperi Consulting Group, a management consultancy specialising in Business Efficiency™. To find out you can improve your efficiency, email karina@samperi.com.au.
© COPYRIGHT
All articles are copyright. These articles may be used for publication in magazines and newsletters with prior permission from the author and Samperi Consulting Group Pty Ltd. Please contact Samperi Consulting Group Pty Ltd for further information at karina@samperi.com.au.
NEWS
& TIPS INDEX
|
