What does “improving efficiency” mean?
You are sitting in your office thinking “this isn’t working” or “there has to be an easier way”. You can see the gaps or bottlenecks in your business process and you recognize there is an issue, but you are struggling to find a solution.
You aren’t alone. While every business owner knows what improving efficiency means, not many know how to adapt their process to actually improve their efficiency.
How will improving Efficiency help my Construction business?
Let’s look at what the main goals of improved efficiency are:
1. Cut costs - Lower expenses so the business is more profitable.
2. Increase sales - Which typically means an increase in the volume of work as well.
3. Maximize resources – Make the most of the employees and equipment you have.
These are areas all businesses can improve, no matter the size or success of your business. But what is the best method to use to improve these 3 areas?
Types of Business Processes to Improve Efficiency
There are two well-known methods of often used by corporations to examine and improve workflow processes.
Kaizen takes a bit of a butterfly effect approach – any small change can affect the big picture. It is all about positive changes and continuous improvement.
Six Sigma is a data-driven approach that uses the DMAIC (define, measure, analyze and verify) method. It is used to identify variations (issues) in your existing processes.
Both of these methods are very effective and have been proven to improve efficiency in corporate environments, but wait... You run a small business in the construction industry. You don’t have the man power to put a team on analyzing your process and no one has time to wait for the ripple effect small changes will have. So what can you do to see immediate, sustainable changes in your efficiency?
Get Help Improving Efficiency in your Construction Business
Hiring an outside consultant can be helpful, it just depends what kind of consultant you hire. Avoid consultants whose sole role is to identify the inefficiencies. For the most part, you probably know where your business is inefficient.
Instead, look for a consultant that is going to offer solutions. And, a great solution to business process inefficiencies is automation.
How Software can help
Improving efficiency goes hand-in hand with business automation. Improving the business process is the main reason business owners opt to adapt to automation. Software is ideal for not only increasing efficiency, but also giving business owners the ability to track the success of changes to the business process. It is no good making changes if you have no trackable way of judging their success!
With the right software, you will be able to track your improvements, and determine their success without waiting for an annual report from your accountant.
SnapSuite is focused on helping businesses in the construction industry across North America improve their existing business processes. To find out how we can help your business, schedule a call with us.
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