Running a business at the best of times can be a challenge, but the current
economic conditions doubtless relate to additional concerns for many operators.
While the "experts" endlessly debate the global economy, here's a fact you
don't need an economics degree to understand: Businesses that operate more
efficiently than the their competitors are better placed to survive and thrive
in any economic environment.
The overall efficiency of a business is made up of many individual components.
Major changes to certain areas of business operations such as overhauling
production or manufacturing processes may require substantial investment and
lengthy lead-times to implement.
On the other hand, minor modifications can have major impact on efficiency in
other areas of day to day operation.
An example of how relatively minor changes can have major impact is reflected
in IASP's recent implementation of a new sales process.
Our new sales process is designed to determine if a potential client is well
suited for our products and services and if so stepping through a system of
events that assists them to make an informed decision about investing in an
IASP solution.
To date the new sales system is proving to be a great success and we are
enjoying the highest conversion rates in our business history. The relatively
minor investment we made in developing this process has been returned several
times already.
Technology, which plays a substantial part in our new sales process, is a great
way to increase operating efficiencies.
The new IASP sales process features a high level of automation and in that
regard we are fortunate to have access to the same technology we provide
commercially to our clients.
Other areas technology delivers efficiency to our business include publication
of this website, which is a strong source of new enquiries. We also publish a
dedicated technical support website
(
www.iasp.net.au), which provides our
clients with direct access to a substantial knowledge base that in turn
minimises the level of personal client support we provide.
IASP also benefits greatly from the efficiency our integrated CRM system
delivers. The CRM system, which includes a client e-mail system, facilitates
partially automated management of client relationships, sales, production,
accounting and support process.
In all I estimate our investment in efficiency through technology is saving our
business a minimum of 3 additional staff.
IASP clients have access to substantial underlying resources designed to
improve business efficiency and we would be pleased to provide confidential
consultation relating to how best to apply these resources to your business on
request.
Friday, 27 February 2009