Many businesses start life small and simple. But with growth
comes the need for a stronger company infrastructure and increased operational
sophistication. As you pursue a more robust business, focus on these four
pillars:
1. Organizational management
Implement a formalized system for measuring performance that
begins with written job descriptions and training. Issue a clearly written
handbook of company policies. Give employees regular and constructive feedback.
Taking these steps is not only necessary — it also serves to
motivate, compensate and reward staff members. Strong organizational management
is particularly key to attracting and retaining good employees, who typically desire an objective
and well-balanced performance evaluation system.
2. Business processes
At the core of your business are its processes. The more you can
systematize and document them, the more easily you can train your staff to
follow them for increased efficiency, productivity and quality.
Professionalizing your business processes also involves
streamlining operations in mission-critical areas. These include sales and
marketing, finance, human resources, and customer product and service delivery.
3. Strategic planning
For new businesses and many small ones, business planning
discussions occur randomly and informally. But, as your operations become
increasingly complex, you’ve got to make strategic planning a regular and
formalized activity.
Hold regular strategic planning meetings. Update your written
business plan and communicate your strategic goals companywide. Doing so will
keep employees in the loop and empower them to make effective decisions and act
in alignment with your stated objectives.
4. IT systems
There’s no way around it: Advanced technology runs today’s
businesses. Yet, as a company’s operations grow, it can struggle with a
conglomeration of outdated and disconnected hardware and applications.
Supporting a professionalized, process-oriented business
environment requires integrated
IT systems. Employees can more easily access operational information and
improve productivity with connected technology.
Growing pains
Every business, no matter how large or small, goes through
growing pains. Please contact us for help managing your growth in a measured
and financially savvy manner.
© 2016
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