Posts Tagged ‘Efficiency’
Effectiveness Must Precede Efficiency
Too often, we seem too focused on volume, velocity and activity levels, thinking that the more things we do, the better we are. We set goals for number of prospecting calls, numbers of meetings, and any number of things. The thinking is, if we simply do more, we produce more. On face value, that makes…
Read MoreOne Thing You Must Do Every Time Your Business Grows 50%
I hear it all the time… Small business owners are frustrated with their businesses and they don’t know where or how to start. You got into business because you had an idea, a passion for solving a problem, and you knew you could make money doing it. The problem is that a few years into…
Read MoreTime, Talent, and Treasure: Spending Each Wisely
In the non-profit world, the term “time, talent and treasure” has been used so often it is almost at the edge of being trite. It’s used in that arena to describe a volunteer’s sacrifice in support of the non-profit enterprise. I have been surprised to discover that it seems undiscovered in the business world. So,…
Read More5 Pros and Cons of Specializing in Your Industry
Your company can choose to do it all. It can handle every responsibility. However, the less your business chooses to specialize, the fewer advantages your business will receive from specialization. There are several pros and cons of choosing to specialize. Specialization Isn’t Difficult One way to avoid specialization is to outsource those aspects of your…
Read MoreBusyness is Not Productiveness
Somehow a packed calendar/agenda seems to be an indicator of our “success.” We live in a 7/24 world, we have more work than we can manage, and we constantly fill our calendars with activities. It impacts people at all levels. I’ve told this story before, but it bears telling again. About 15 years ago, I…
Read MoreHow Small Businesses Should Be Using Big Data
Think big data is only for big business? Think again. No matter how small your operation might be, collecting and analyzing data about current and future customers can produce a significant return on investment. And the world’s businesses know this, which is why Microsoft’s Satya Nadella predicts Big Data could become a $1.6 trillion industry in the…
Read MoreEye of the Needle? Why to Worry Over Your Bottlenecks
Think for a minute whether there is any process or person that could be classed as the eye of the needle in your organization. Is there anything, process or person, that stalls the flow of work from start to finish? A CEO once told me that she was ‘the eye of the needle’ in her organization,…
Read MoreHow to Maximize Revenue with a Small Team
In a small business, it is easy to lose sight of the basics. Sometimes, team members may become focused on minor details that don’t really matter to your customers, or to the long-term health of your business. In this article, we will go through a number of ideas to help you to maximize your company’s…
Read MoreSpeed Kills!
No, I haven’t become the spokesperson for the National Highway Safety Commission, I’ve had more than my fair share of speeding tickets (and actually far fewer than I deserve.) I just read a horrible piece of advice from a “guru.” The advice was, “Efficiency Drives Effectiveness!” How wrong can a supposed expert be? Efficiency is all…
Read More4 Tips to Identify and Fix Basic Business Inefficiencies
All ambitious entrepreneurs strive for an organization that is streamlined, productive and efficient. We want our staff to be happy and engaged, and we want our customers and clients to be overjoyed with the results we offer. However, though we might strive for perfection, every company on this planet is guilty of some form of…
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