Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.
Last Updated on September 20, 2021 by Work In My Pajamas
A business needs to be efficiently run in order to stay competitive, productive and profitable. Otherwise, businesses risk the loss of revenue, customers, and even the business itself. Here are six ways that will help you manage your business more effectively.
In This Post:
1. Customer Satisfaction Metrics
The ultimate goal of a quantify improvement program isn’t just to improve internal processes, but also increase customer satisfaction. Quality customer service results in repeat customers, more profits, and a better reputation. It is important to note that most customers simply want selection variety, affordable convenience, and quality products and services. While it is impossible to deliver the highest standards of each category, it is very possible to understand which ones matter most to the customer base. Customer trends and preferences can be gathered through online questionnaires and feedback forms.
2. Planning and Goals
Recent start-ups should rely on their business plan that outlines how to maximize processes and productivity. However, as time goes by, business practices naturally become lax as employees become complacent. This can be avoided through translating business plan objectives into the employee handbook, which sets standards and expectations. In addition to this, consider setting both short-term and long-term goals with realistic and measurable expectations. Be sure to share goals with employees in order to increase buy-in and cooperation.
3. Define Duties and Responsibilities
Many small to medium businesses have general job descriptions that unofficially change through time as certain employees take on tasks that they excel at and others eventually reduce their responsibility level with difficult tasks. It is natural for business processes to change with inevitable employee turnover and adaptation to market changes. That being said, a business is only as efficient as their commitment to standardized procedures and systems. Consequently, business owners should consider reviewing job descriptions with management in order to ensure efficient work practices.
4. Use Calendars
Many times, employees become caught up with incoming requests and workloads, so they may miss important deadlines. Consider using an online calendar, such as Microsoft Outlook, and a wall calendar for various business purposes. For example, use a single calendar to schedule vacations and time off. This will greatly reduce confusion and staffing shortages. Office employees can use Outlook to track cyclical assignments, such as monthly accounting or inventory reconciliations. Outlook can also be used to schedule meetings, which will ensure that people show up and that goals are followed up on.
5. HR Management Software
HR management software helps business owners take care of various demanding and time-consuming HR administrative tasks. Consequently, HR management software can help with productivity and with tasks such as payroll and benefits administration. This is especially useful because performing these tasks can be confusing and challenging. Benefits administration by itself takes up a large portion of the weekly workload. HR software automates this process and allows the business owner, who may have limited HR training, to take care of other important matters.
6. Outsource
Business owners do not need to permanently outsource, but only need to call in temporary consultants who can provide their professional opinion. For instance, OSHA offers free, non-regulatory inspection programs designed to help companies improve their safety standards and processes. Hiring a quality professional is especially beneficial for companies that manufacture consumer products. However, service-based companies can also use the knowledgeable insight of industry experts. An accounting or IT consultant will be able to create an efficient system that business owners can run by themselves.
To recap, business owners can increase efficiency through things like reviewing job descriptions, which is an excellent opportunity to provide cross training opportunities to employees. Also, utilizing HR management software, can reduce serious legal and financial errors and ensure compliance with applicable laws.
