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Top Logistical Mistakes of SMEs

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Logistical Mistakes|Top Logistical Mistakes of SMEsWhen you run a small or medium-sized enterprise, there is no doubt that you need to be thinking about every single individual element in a high level of detail as this will really make all the difference in ensuring that everything goes smoothly and you can get one up on your closest rivals. There are plenty of logistical mistakes that are commonly made along the way, and the following blog post will discuss what these are in a higher level of detail.

Failing to Choose the Right Partners

While some companies handle all of the different logistical elements themselves, many seek to outsource as and when they are able to. With this in mind, it is certainly going to be worth taking your time to seek out the right partners rather than simply going to the first ones that are readily available to you. So, you should be checking out the likes of www.strlogistics.co.uk to make all the difference. You need to build up the type of strong working relationship with them that is going to yield results.

Not Automating Where Possible

While smaller businesses do not have the same type of budgets that can stretch as larger ones do, it is certainly going to be worthwhile automating where at all possible. In this manner, more of the work that is repetitive and potentially slow can be sped up and done with a higher degree of accuracy. This does not have to be achieved at the expense of your staff members, however. Instead, it should be done to make their lives easier, doing more to free them up to concentrate on other aspects of their job roles.


Failing to Get a Grip of Your Costs

Of course, this does not only expand to the logistical part of your company, but there is no doubt that any smaller business needs to get to grips with its costs in a way that makes sense. Otherwise, there is every chance that these are simply going to start to spiral out of control, which inevitably means that you are going to be struggling in other areas. This means working with a high degree of accuracy and not simply allowing everything to be guessed along the way.

Not Making Improvements Based on Feedback

Along the way, you are bound to see that there are some improvements that need to be made in certain areas. As well as this, you should also expect and be open to receiving feedback from others. You need to react to this in the correct manner and recognise that, in most cases, the feedback is constructive and intended in a positive way. There is simply no point in assuming that all of it can be easily dismissed and not taken into account. You should be making improvements based on what is being fed back to you, especially by customers.

If you avoid all of these logistical mistakes, you make it much more likely that you are going to be running the type of well-oiled machine that yields results.

How to Ensure Your Business can Accommodate a Heavy Workload

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Heavy Workload|How to Ensure Your Business can Accommodate a Heavy WorkloadThere’s no doubt about it; running a business is hard work. And when your business starts to grow, that workload can quickly become overwhelming. If you’re not prepared for a heavy workload, your business could quickly start to suffer. This blog post will discuss some tips on how to ensure your business can accommodate a heavy workload and also provide some helpful advice on how to manage that extra workload and keep your business running smoothly!

1) Make sure you have the right team in place

One of the most important things you can do to ensure your business can accommodate a heavy workload is to make sure you have the right team in place. This means hiring employees who are capable of handling a lot of work and who are also reliable and trustworthy. It’s also important to delegate tasks and responsibilities so that no one person is overwhelmed with too much work.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to hiring, there are plenty of resources available online, like job boards and recruitment agencies. You can also ask other businesses in your industry for recommendations.

Recruitment agencies can be a great way to find top talent, but they can also be expensive. If you’re on a tight budget, there are still plenty of ways to find good employees. You can post ads on job boards or online classifieds websites, or you can even hold your own job fair.

2) Put systems and processes in place

Another essential step to take when preparing for a heavy workload is to put systems and processes in place. This will help to ensure that work is completed efficiently and effectively, with minimal errors.

Some things you may want to consider are creating standard operating procedures (SOPs), setting up an employee onboarding process, and investing in project management software. Having these systems and processes in place will make it easier for your team to handle a higher volume of work without feeling overwhelmed.

SOPs are especially important if you have employees who are new to the business or who are working remotely. By having SOPs, you can be sure that everyone is on the same page and knows exactly what needs to be done.


3) Ensure you have the right equipment and resources

Another key element of being able to accommodate a heavy workload is having the right equipment and resources. This includes things like office furniture, computers, and software. If you don’t have enough of these things, it can quickly lead to employees feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

Make sure you have enough desks, chairs, and computer monitors for everyone on your team. And if you’re going to be working with large files or data sets, you may need to invest in some additional storage space or upgrade your server. For example, if you’re running an industrial plant, you’ll need to make sure you have the right power piping to accommodate the increased workload.

4) Manage your time wisely

One of the most important things you can do to ensure your business can accommodate a heavy workload is to manage your time wisely. This means setting priorities and deadlines and then sticking to them. It’s also important to delegate tasks so that no one person is overwhelmed with too much work.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to managing your time, there are plenty of resources available online, like productivity blogs and articles. You can also find helpful tips in books or magazines.

There are a number of different ways to manage your time, but it’s important to find a system that works for you and your team. If you don’t have a lot of experience with time management, it may be helpful to hire a consultant or coach to help you get started.

5) Automation is your friend

One of the best ways to prepare for a heavy workload is to automate as much of your business as possible. This includes things like invoicing, scheduling, and email marketing. By automating these tasks, you can free up time for other important priorities.

There are a number of different software programs that can help you with automation. For example, if you’re looking to automate your invoicing, you can use a program like FreshBooks or QuickBooks. If you’re looking to automate your email marketing, you can use a program like MailChimp or Constant Contact.
In conclusion, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure your business can accommodate a heavy workload. By taking the time to prepare, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and stressed when the work starts to pile up.

Strategies To Help You Maximize Productivity In Your Business

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StrategyDriven Managing Your People Development Article |Maximize Productivity|Strategies To Help You Maximize Productivity In Your BusinessAn unproductive business is far worse than not having a business at all; it may be utterly dreadful for your profits and sales; if your firm is not lucrative or profitable enough, you will most likely have to close your doors.

All of your efforts will be in vain if your firm is not productive enough to gain the advantages of your work. Because of this, making guaranteeing your organization is as productive as it possibly can is pretty vital. As long as you can manage to do so – and there are various ways to do this – your chances of establishing your company and producing a profit are greatly boosted.

Continue reading to discover some of the methods you may boost the productivity and success of your organization.

Enhance the well-being of workers

The use of systems and being organized, as well as the application of business knowledge to become better at what you do, are all critical components of enhancing productivity. But these factors account for just half of the equation.

Every other component revolves around your employees, and no matter what type of tools you have in place or what kind of training you give, it will all be for nought if you fail to address one key factor: their well-being.

A happy employee is always going to be more productive than a dissatisfied employee. Their passion for working with you will be contagious, and they will be willing to put forth effort in their job. Most importantly, they will be loyal, knowing that they will be appropriately rewarded for a job well done and that, if they have any problems, they may share them with you.

It is doubtful that an employee will be as productive if they are unsatisfied, think they are not being listened to, or believe their needs are not being handled. Employees will only execute what is needed of them and nothing more, and they will be significantly more inclined to hunt for employment elsewhere, which will be costly to you and disruptive to the firm as a whole.

In order to achieve this, you must first guarantee that your personnel are as happy and fulfilled as possible in their jobs. How you go about it will be influenced by the type of the company, your budget, and the location of everyone’s office.

Make use of organizational resources

The usage of organizing tools in your business may considerably boost your productivity and efficiency.

It is simple for duties to be neglected or forgotten when you do not have any integrational, automation or other equivalent solutions to aid you to comprehend where everyone should be and what they should all be performing right now. When this happens, productivity declines.

Not only will your workers be unclear about what they should be doing and when it should be done (which feeds into their general well-being, as stated above), but you will also be unsure of when to verify that the responsibilities have been performed, or even who to ask in some cases.

When you apply specific organizational tools, everyone may feel much more at ease in their duties since they will all grasp what they are intended to be accomplishing at any given time. They will know how to integrate with Ingenico and any other new workflow procedures you have in place. Additionally, your clients and suppliers will be satisfied as well, because no order, payment, or work will be ignored, and your reputation will flourish as a consequence.

How To Improve Your SME’s Approach To Technology

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StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |SME approach to technology|How To Improve Your SME’s Approach To TechnologyLet’s face it; almost every business now benefits from modern technology. Sadly, the vast majority fail to unlock their full potential. Given that tech features have become more vital than ever thanks to the pandemic, now is the time to put things right.

Here’s how you can transform your approach to tech in just 10 easy steps. The improvements for your business will be incredible.

Step 1: Invest in a fluid approach

When developing a new IT strategy, it’s imperative that your systems are ready to evolve. Managed services ensure that your hardware systems, data, and software licenses are aligned with your needs. Better still, they can be reviewed and altered at regular intervals as your business grows.

There is nothing worse than satisfying today’s needs but limiting tomorrow’s success. Being ready to adapt is key.

Step 2: Build flexible working environments

Over the past two years, you have probably been forced to embrace versatility. Work from home schemes and other flexible solutions have enabled companies to survive. However, many workers now prefer this way of work. Cloud-computing and real-time team messaging apps facilitate this. It can aid productivity and staff satisfaction.

It will also open the door to using ad-hoc remote workers for short-term agreements and one-off projects.

Step 3: Utilise automation

Automated tech has completely revolutionized modern business. Using equipment that is connected to the Internet of Things promotes fast, reliable operations. Manufacturing plants and warehouses can benefit greatly from this move. However, automation also supports stock management and order fulfillment.

One of the great things about increased automation is that it allows workers to focus on more crucial tasks.

Step 4: Don’t forget the human touch

While automation can make your business run smoothly, you must not forget that consumers expect a human touch. Humanizing the company website is a great starting point. It will make users feel closer to the brand and can remove any confusion. Adding a live chat facility to connect them to a real agent can work wonders too.

Interactions with your brand are supposed to be enjoyable and comfortable. Keep this in mind, and you won’t go wrong.

Step 5: Pay extra attention to maintenance

Employees need the right equipment to complete their jobs to the highest possible standards. Still, it’s not enough to simply ensure that they work well on day one. Scheduling maintenance that avoids unwanted downtime is one of the smartest moves you can make. Not least because it will keep products in good health.

Operational efficiency isn’t only important for productivity speeds. It also prevents employees from becoming disinterested.

Step 6: Invest in your employees

It’s one thing to support your business with the best equipment, but it counts for little if your employees don’t know how to use them properly. Therefore, regular training courses are an essential addition. Aside from making them familiar with new tools or ideas, it ensures that all workers take a consistent approach.

Besides, upskilling your employees keeps them mentally engaged. In turn, they’ll be keen to get more out of the tech features.

Step 7: Adopt eco-friendly moves

While many people assume that technology is an enemy of the environment, it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, using solar energy and recycled materials can have a telling impact. Similarly, opting for paperless tech can cut down on the amount of resources you use. It’s an ideal way to use tech in an efficient way.

Aside from efficiency, corporate responsibility through greener processes will aid your brand image.

Step 8: Look to save money

Every business decision is ultimately a financial one. Long-term savings are often the main incentive for adopting new tech tools in the first place. You can use modern tech to price compare all proposed purchases or service subscriptions. Meanwhile, ideas like 3D printing can save money during prototyping. Embrace it.

By reducing your expenses, you will be in the best position to stay competitively priced. It can often aid your sales.

Step 9: Use tech to form client relationships

By now, you will have embraced digital marketing in one shape or form. Success isn’t only linked to awareness, though. You want customers to feel engaged with your content and loyal to the brand. Using video marketing and social media to provide a look behind the scenes is crucial. Again, it humanizes the brand.

Collecting data on client trends and behaviors will also help you adapt your marketing and customer care efforts.

Step 10: Protect your business

Finally, modern tech doesn’t only create new opportunities. It also presents potential dangers. Managed IT can include cybersecurity, but you must not overlook other dangers. Copyrights and patents are very important. Non-disclosure agreements can also be stored digitally.

Should an ex-employee try to profit from your ideas or innovations, you’ll be able to take the appropriate action with ease.

Technology in Manufacturing: How Businesses Benefit from Innovation

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |Technology in manufacturing|Technology in Manufacturing: How Businesses Benefit from InnovationTechnology has always played a considerable role in the manufacturing industry. From the invention of the assembly line to the development of 3D printing, businesses have relied on technology to help them become more efficient and productive. In this blog post, we will discuss how technology has helped manufacturing businesses and how it is shaping the future of this industry. We will also explore some of the challenges that manufacturers face when it comes to incorporating new technologies into their operations.

How has technology helped manufacturing businesses?

Technology has helped to manufacture businesses in many ways. Perhaps the most obvious way is that it has allowed companies to become more efficient and productive. For example, the assembly line was a huge breakthrough for the manufacturing industry. It allowed businesses to produce products much faster and with less waste. Today, there are many other examples of technologies that have helped manufacturers become more efficient. Robotics is one such technology. By using robots to automate certain tasks, manufacturers can reduce labor costs and increase production speeds.

Another way that technology has helped manufacturing businesses is by giving them the ability to create better products. With the help of computer-aided design (CAD) software, manufacturers can create detailed designs for their products. This allows them to perfect their products before they even start production. Additionally, by using simulations, manufacturers can test out different designs to see which one will work best. One example to give is broaching. With advanced technology this machine gives manufacturers the reassurance of perfectly cut products.

Finally, technology has also helped manufacturing businesses by allowing them to track data and improve their operations. By collecting data on everything from production speeds to energy use, manufacturers can identify areas to improve. They can then change their processes and procedures to increase efficiency and reduce waste. If you’re looking for a way to make updating your infrastructure easier, consider using a service like Rezatec who have managed to dynamically manage the safety and integrity of landscapes, both at scale and cost-effectively. Electricity leaders are using their product’s geospatial analytics to effectively direct ground resources for the greatest impact.

 

At an environmental level, the work of Rezatec is extremely beneficial as it accurately forecasts crop yields and can help to alleviate adverse market reactions due to potential food shortages, and ultimately help to ensure food security.  

 

Keeping your company’s infrastructure updated can be a pain, but it’s necessary for keeping your business running efficiently. To make sure your company’s infrastructure stays updated, make small, consistent, updates, decide what software is most important to update and ask employees where they feel your infrastructure needs improvement. 

These examples show how technology has helped manufacturing businesses in several ways. It is clear that technology will continue to play a vital role in the manufacturing industry in the years to come.

What are some of the challenges that manufacturers face when incorporating new technologies into their operations?

One of the biggest challenges that manufacturers face when it comes to incorporating new technologies is the cost. Many new technologies are costly, and businesses need to be sure that they will be able to recoup their investment. Additionally, some technologies require businesses to make significant changes to their infrastructure. This can be a daunting task for many manufacturers, especially those who are already using outdated systems.

Another challenge that manufacturers face is finding the right talent to operate new technologies. While there are many benefits to using new technologies, they can also be very complex. As a result, businesses need to ensure that they have adequately trained employees. This can often be difficult, as most manufacturing jobs do not require highly-skilled workers.

Finally, manufacturers also need to be careful about implementing new technologies. If not done properly, new technologies can disrupt production and lead to downtime. This can be costly for businesses, so they must take the time to plan and test out new technologies before fully incorporating them into their operations.

While manufacturers face some challenges when it comes to incorporating new technologies, it is clear that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. With the help of technology, businesses can become more efficient and productive, create better products, and track data to improve their operations. As the manufacturing industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more advances in technology in the years to come.