 If you haven’t read Razor’s Edge, it’s a free book available on this very topic (download your copy here). It goes into a lot more detail.
But since you are reading this now, we’d like to share with you how you can start reviewing and digitising your business for 2021. Most people think to digitise a business you have to have mounts of knowledge on technology, AI and global innovation trends. Technology is important but not nearly as much as you think; and that’s good news for most businesses. When it comes to transformative change its almost always 30% systems, 70% people. Surprisingly the take home message is to focus on just 3 core meta-aspects: Systems, People, Processes 1. Systems – the equipment, tools and technology which multiple your businesses ability to create value. Software, reporting, websites, design tools, POS, CRM, Spreadsheets, forms/documents. 2. People – could be your staff, clients, and suppliers or just be you if you are just starting out. They are the ones doing the work and the ones you are going to have to rely on to create more value for your customers 3. Processes – are where the magic happens. Synergising people and systems together, processes are where all the value gets created for your customers; and where you make your money. Whether you are a large enterprise, a SME or a sole trader there are several things you can start doing right now to get started on the road to the digital future. And none of them involve setting a up a social media account. With the 3 meta-aspects from above in mind jump into our 3 Point Review: 1. Review your Systems. List out all the systems you have or want to have. Give them a frank appraisal. Are they working for your business? Trust your gut on this. If you have a big team then gather your staff and get them to do this with you. Everyone loves to beat up on a system. Once you are done lambasting them ask yourself and your team which ones they need to work to deliver the product. Remember these systems multiply your team’s ability to satisfy your customers. They should work for you, not the other way around. 2. Power up your People You and your team are your powerhouses, you need to be geared up to generate value and earn your business money. Do they have the training and support they need? Most importantly though, are they in the right mindset. Sit down with some of them and start doing some bluesky planning sessions on. Build a roadmap to get from where you are to where you want to be. Getting them engaged early on the process builds buy in and gets them onside and turns them into advocates for transformational change. 3. Perfect your Processes Having people and systems work together is a beautiful thing. But unfortunately, as digital systems improve so most people become jaded and either become button pushers with no real idea of what they are doing or they end up creating their own workaround systems which waylay your business. Work with your team to see the systems and changes around them and powerful. Set up process review checkpoints. Include them in reoccurring meetings to embed them as a part of how you do business. Wow that was quite a chunk to process but hopefully will give you better idea of how to start digitizing your business for 2021. COVID be damned. If you have any thoughts or questions feel free to flick me a message or email.
0 Comments
Simon Sinek describes business as an infinite game, something you can only win for a time, and will lose only when you run out of the will (or resources) to keep going. That is a great way sum up why businesses fail to keep up with times, overextend themselves and fail. You can’t sit back and think your industry isn’t going to be affected. If you do you can join the pile of other failed ventures on the business graveyard of history. Tough words I know but that is life unfortunately.
The truth is the world is changing and businesses, even in little ol’ New Zealand, need a comprehensive digital strategy to keep ahead of the curve. The digital revolution isn’t just coming, it is already here. The good news is there is something you can do about it. Use the content on this website as a guide to building and growing this strategy for yourself. Developing a digital strategy isn’t usually done overnight (usually, but we have done it!) but here is a powerful simple technique I use with clients all the time to get them to deep dive and gain additional insight and help orientate themselves. Try it and let me know your thoughts. Transform Your Business – Deep Dive Analysis Tool
What is a 9 Week Plan? More content to come on this where I will outline this groundbreaking approach to achieve lasting improvements in your business processes, systems and people. If you have any questions feel free to reach out in the comments below or send me a dm/email This is an age old question plaguing business managers since time immemorial. Whether to get in a consultant or hire a full time employee to cover the slack. The pros and cons are usually fairly stark. The summary below is only applicable for skilled consultants who you want to deliver on specific solutions. More often than not permanent/contract employees with the skills you need never settle in your organisation or deliver the results you are after because you fail to engage them properly. Often a high skilled employee will have issues adapting to a culture where the rest of the business do not buy into their vision or resist change too much. The same with contractors. This is why small and medium sized businesses have difficulty in getting (and keeping) the skills they need to remain competitive in the digital economy. Saying that, we find the best results come from businesses who invest in growing a data-centric culture in their business, not necessarily by employing data managing employees but by embedding data-centric models into their current processes.  That is where powerful data-centric consultants, like Business DMS, coming in. We specialise in not just developing and embedding data management solutions but in changing processes and ingraining a culture in your business which embraces data as an invaluable asset which we can leverage to grow the futures of New Zealand and Australian businesses which choose to take the path set before us by the digital economy.
//Employee Pros: Lower cost per day, more control by management, longer term Cons: Needs training and on-boarding, generally lower skill set, slower output. When to use: when you have a long term open ended demand, have a clear understanding, control and governance around what you want to achieve at your business. //Consultants Pros: Lower cost, faster value generation (lower cost per day, slow outcomes) Cons: needs training and onboarding, lower skill set, longer term. When to use: when you have a specific, urgent need, require immediately value generation or a powerful on demand skillset to help shape the vision for your business. If you are dead set on hiring an employee then go contact a recruiter. Otherwise if you are ready to embrace the data-centric path for your business then contact us below to see if we can help your business. // Darren Navi // Principal Consultant |
DarreNPrincipal Consultant Archives
October 2020
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed