“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” (Albert Einstein)

Do you wonder if your business could be more efficient? Are you worried that your business is missing out on opportunities because you have unidentified problems that could be undermining your performance?

Here at ABJ Business Solutions we often speak with business owners or operators who want to be more proactive, strategic or efficient. They know that in order to achieve their desired outcomes, they cannot keep doing the same things the same way, however they are simultaneously unsure of what they need to change or do in order to achieve their desired outcome.

Some of the most common concerns we hear include:

  • We are not achieving the results we desired or expected.
  • Is there a way to better leverage our business resources?
  • There are some problematic business elements we need to fix.
  • Are any of the strategies our competitors employ worth considering?
  • Our to-do list of goals and actions is overwhelming and we’re unsure how to best manage it.

While all these may seem like separate issues, we understand that a business can only operate at maximum efficiency when the sum of all its contributing parts are working in a competent, cohesive and collective manner to create an efficient business overall.

But how can a business achieve maximum efficiency?

A business can achieve maximum overall efficiency through ensuring that all contributing elements, from time, to processes, equipment and team members are all working in sync effectively, with minimal errors or wastage. This is achieved via business optimisation.

What is business optimisation?

In essence, business optimisation is a management strategy where you construct new processes and develop new resources in order to make a business as effective as possible.

It’s about finding the optimal alternative with the most cost-effective or highest achievable performance, under the given constraints. Achieving business optimisation entails maximising desired outcomes or factors, while minimising undesired ones.

It ensures that every element of your business is leveraged and used with maximum efficiency, putting your business in an ideal position to make the most of the future and upcoming opportunities, demand or market changes.

What are the benefits of business optimisation?

There are numerous ways to benefit from business optimisation including:

  • A management mindset change: as senior management is encouraged to get back to basics and eliminate ineffective processes, it creates an environment of ongoing monitoring, analysis and adjustments to ensure maximum effectiveness.
  • A boost in efficiency: this is achieved via the elimination of ineffective systems and increased automation of tasks.
  • Compliance adherence: reviewing processes during optimisation helps businesses ensure they are compliant with all relevant regulations and obligations.
  • High-quality consistent results: as new business processes reduce errors and increase consistency of operations.
  • Increased accountability: as automated systems and optimised management practices ensure proper monitoring and reporting.
  • A safer workplace: established via the implementation of updated or enhanced safety regulations.
  • More flexibility: as successful optimisation ultimately creates a more flexible and responsive business.
  • Performance monitoring capabilities: that help to make quicker and more strategic decisions that benefit the bottom line.
  • Reduced wastefulness: as optimisation enables resource tracking to minimise resource wastage.

At ABJ Business Solutions, we can support you throughout the entire business optimisation process. But what does the average business optimisation approach look like? Here is a brief overview:

Step 1: Assessment

Obtaining an accurate assessment of the issues that are negatively affecting your business is vital. Identifying the correct problem areas is the only way to rectify the issues and optimise the business moving forward.

Step 2: Develop the plan of attack

Once the areas ripe for optimisation have been identified, a plan of attack needs to be developed. Here, it’s important to recognise that any action or change initiated will create reactions and implications for your business and team. Therefore it’s important to create an ongoing plan that covers both the short and long term aspects of your business and supports your team.

Step 3: Implementation

Assessing the areas that require optimisation and developing a plan of attack means nothing without implementation. This step is where most business owners and operators falter, as they don’t make the commitment to follow through with implementation………..and as you know, a plan without execution is pointless.

True and effective business optimisation means the complete coordination between these three steps so that you can meet and surpass your business goals. Goals, which should cover the long-term, creating and delivering impactful change that is positive and consistent moving forward.

However, in our experience, many owners half-heartedly have one or two attempts at implementation without much success. This is the primary reason a strong external working relationship with a business optimisation partner is vital. It helps to keep you accountable, provide unbiased and objective advice and delivers the support you need to keep moving forward to a better business future.

For further information on business optimisation and how it may help you, contact the team at ABJ Business Solutions or email admin@abjsolutions.com.au