Efficiency is defined as doing things the right way (spending as little expenses and resources as possible, etc.) and it’s one of the most important things you can focus on as a business.
Of course, effectiveness – which is defined as doing the right things is just as important, but if you want to save time and improve productivity you need to focus on efficiency. And that’s what we’re going to do in this guide – focus on improving business in your company.
Through different metrics
What can’t be tracked can’t be measured. So, start there. If you want to improve your business efficiency, focus on the metrics you can measure and track. For example, are you hitting the deadlines? Sales revenue, net profit margin and more are all totally valid metrics to measure. Another important one is the order fulfillment cycle and this is good if you want to truly understand your customers and can get you the most out of your eCommerce store.
Automate what you can
Time is money. So, the more you save – the better. Everything from emails to tasks can be automated nowadays through software. And it’s a great business strategy to take advantage of. While it might be pricier to add automated processes in your business, the investment will pay off in the long run.
Encourage face-to-face communication
Communication is another essential part of a business. And unfortunately, through instant messaging software, the message can get lost sometimes. Not to mention some people are just better at face-to-face communication than other methods. So, try to have a face-to-face talk every now and then with your employees to receive a clearer message. This way you can also tell what their attitude and body language are like.
Less multitasking
It seems to be a trend nowadays to focus on a little bit of everything nowadays. But unfortunately, this just hurts productivity. Studies have shown that getting a single task done first is a better approach. We all think we’re excellent multi-taskers but often, those distractions just hurt our productivity instead. So, the next time you’re working try cutting out other unnecessary distractions – you don’t need to be updated with your social media when trying to get work done. Focus on a task until it’s finished, and then move on to something else.
Promote an open communication culture
Your culture is what defines you, this applies to startups and corporations alike. In general, try to encourage your employees to communicate more freely. Do they feel free in voicing their concerns and giving feedback? If they do, you’re on the right track. This creates a sense of belonging and a culture that appreciates all the employees.
This also applies to your customers. Open all possible channels to freely communicate with them and will result in a good reputation for you. So, the next time you ask if communication is all that important for a startup, know that the answer is a loud – Yes!
