Smooth Sailing—Five Simple Ways of Improving Your Business Processes

Do you ever feel like you spend all of your time trying to find the right person to talk to about a project at work, or devising workarounds for inefficient software? Inefficient business processes can cost a business time and money, as well as leading to employee frustration. Use these tips to check that your business is running as efficiently as possible.

Update to a PBX System

A hosted PBX, or Private Branch Exchange, is an easy way to make your company phones work harder for you. In simple terms, it means that your phone system is computerized and runs through the internet. If you have ever called a company and been given the option to dial the number that matches the service you require, that was a PBX system in action. It makes answering the phone much more efficient and may mean that you don’t need a receptionist. PBX systems also offer a more comprehensive range of features than a regular phone, allowing you to forward calls easily, monitor costs in real time, avoid maintenance costs, and route calls to your sales team who are on the road in the same way that you would if they were in the office.

Clear Accountability and Responsibility

Projects are often delayed because it isn’t clear who is responsible for which component. If you are starting a new project, begin by assigning a project leader. They can then sit down with the team and figure out who will do what, and when it will be completed by. The project manager should compile this information into a project timeline, share it with the team, and refer back to it frequently throughout the project to make sure that you are on track. Being clear from on the outset on expectations and deadlines avoids projects stalling because responsibilities haven’t been explicitly assigned.

Automate Where Possible

Technology is advancing all the time, and as it improves and moves forward, upfront investment costs reduce. This means that all businesses should be taking advantage of automation in their business to improve efficiency, save money, and reduce errors. Analyze the repetitive or tedious tasks within your organization and then look into software solutions to assist. An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system can help you to manage your warehouse, online sales, product lifecycle, and supply chain. A Customer Relationship Management System (CRM) can help you to collate business data and information about your customers and help you to manage the business relationship in order to meet their needs better.

Talk to Your Staff Members

Your team is working within the business every day, and chances are that they have a whole list of ideas as to how you could improve business processes. Consulting with them will not only help you with ideas as to how you can enhance the businesses processes but also make your staff feel valued.

Keep Up-to-Date with Best Industry Practice

Keeping an eye on your competitors and the leaders within your industry will ensure that you know what the current trends and advances in innovation are. This may give you some cost-cutting and process improvement ideas for your own company. Don’t just look within your industry, though—you could get inspiration from a different field that could be applied to your company and become an industry leader yourself.

Stop wasting time and have a look at your business processes. You will not only increase efficiency but employee satisfaction at the same time.

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Milo Senalle

Milo Senalle

Managing Editor at Chispa Magazine
As one of the managing editors of Chispa Magazine, Milo Senalle is the go-to man for all things technology, ethical, and financial concerns. Providing laughs with his style of writing and problem-solving techniques, Milo is a voice of reason among the girly staff at Chispa. Married with children, living in Atlanta, he works 24/7 on becoming a man of courage and believes honor begins at home.

Milo Senalle

As one of the managing editors of Chispa Magazine, Milo Senalle is the go-to man for all things technology, ethical, and financial concerns. Providing laughs with his style of writing and problem-solving techniques, Milo is a voice of reason among the girly staff at Chispa. Married with children, living in Atlanta, he works 24/7 on becoming a man of courage and believes honor begins at home.