3 Smart Strategies for Simplifying Your Business Operating Processes

Running a business is a rewarding way to build something that’s bigger than yourself. Sometimes, however, the responsibilities really are bigger than you can manage. When you’re feeling bogged down by day-to-day responsibilities, it can be hard to focus on the mission that prompted your business venture in the first place.

This disconnect between the tedious work of management and the passion behind your project can leave you feeling burnt out and overwhelmed, but there are always ways to improve your business operating processes. Keep reading for three ways to help you maintain your business so you can focus on what’s most important.

Revamp Your Hiring Process

One of the best ways to streamline the management of your business is to work on building the best possible team. As with all other functions of your business, your mission should be the central focus of your hiring process. Take the time to express your business’s values in any job postings and list qualifiers that not only reflect education and skill requirements but also some of the qualities that you feel are necessary to make your processes run smoothly.

         When you are interviewing potential candidates, consider how they might fit your company’s culture. Emphasize soft skills, like problem-solving and time management, that pertain directly to simplifying your processes and progressing your goals.

         Caring for existing employees can improve the hiring process as well. Remember, new hire candidates will find former employees’ testimonies when they are researching your company. If you train your employees well and treat them properly, your business will gain a reputation as a great employer over time. 

Companies with happy employees will attract the best applicants and—if you instate a referral program—your best employees can bring in equally good talent themselves.

Automate Your Activities

To benefit you and your employees, consider automating your business’s regular processes. Things like accounting, project management, and supply chain management can be simplified with a business management software called an ERP (enterprise resource planning) system.

With an ERP system in place, information from every level of your business’s function is stored in a cloud and made available to you and your employees instantly. Rather than wait on slow-moving reports or tackle accounts with multiple vendors, you can compile and manage all of your activities in one place.

         An ERP system exists solely to make business management easier, making it a perfect investment for anyone seeking to simplify their business. It can be implemented in tandem with a number of other IT programs, making it a really flexible addition to your existing setup. To take additional pressure off of your employees, you can even seek support through JD Edwards Managed Services to help you get the most out of your new software.  

Consult Your Customers

Finally, consulting your customers can help you manage your business by identifying points for improvement. While many business management stressors are internal, knowing the customer’s perspective can help you prioritize changes that will make a noticeable improvement for them. For instance, if one element of their experience took longer than expected, you can focus on expediting that function first to prevent future customers from facing that problem.

Getting in touch with customers can also let you know what you’re doing well and who your best players are. As previously mentioned, focusing on the employees who are really fulfilling your mission is one of the best ways to build a more productive and effective team overall.

Regular feedback—gained either through a chatbox on your website, email surveys, or one-on-one customer service interactions—will help you track the effects of new changes from an external point of view. Ensure that you check in with your customers after implementing any new changes to see how your efforts are paying off.

These solutions can help you fill necessary roles with the right people, simplify your business’s day-to-day processes, and get back in touch with the heart of your business: your customers.