Goals drive behavior. Having the right goals across your business should encourage proper behavior. Most companies focus on growing revenue, profit and improving workforce morale and retention, but these are not the only metrics that matter. Unfortunately, there are some big barriers that make it complicated to achieve your goals.
1. Employee turnover
We are never promised tomorrow. Employees get sick, are offered a new job, get laid off; unfortunately, the harsh truth is that employees come and go for various reasons. How can we better prepare ourselves for an unfortunate situation? In most organizations, each employee has a role with processes they work on throughout the day to confirm task are complete, and goals are achieved. When the employee no longer works for your company, “Who” will take over this position? More importantly, are they “Qualified”?
Decent training is required for each department. New employees must learn how to work through each process. Existing employees should familiarize their selves with other Team Members daily operations, ensuring each task is completed no matter what the case may be.
2. Inefficient processes
Companies today are burdened by siloed, difficult-to-use business systems that complicate processes and hamper operations. Many companies continue to work with their current applications and systems even though the applications may not be the right solutions. Unfortunately, companies will often repurpose one of these systems for a task which has a plausible functionality for the project, but it is still not the right tool for the job. Lack of standard processes to address business requirements and improvements needed lead to unmet business expectations. While poorly implemented business processes can result in a lack of effective training to new employees.
Many challenges faced may be dealt with in different ways rather than in an agreed pre-defined method. Many organizations become very reactive and developing processes on the fly to deal with issues faced with there and then, rather than creating proactive processes to deal with issues before they come about. There is often no continuous process improvement to maintain business needs; often they are set in stone but never reviewed months/years down the road.
3. Competitive market
It is hard to dictate how the market will work when you are in a competitive market. When working in these conditions many businesses compete to provide consumers with the goods and services needed. All competitive markets share five characteristics: profit, diminishability, rivalry, excludability, and reject ability.
There are a few ways you can stand out in a competitive market:
- Deliver extraordinary service
- Do business differently than your competitors
- Address customer pain points
- Focus on a narrow niche
- Create a compelling offer or guarantee
- Create a great culture
- Become a social business
4. Not having the right technology in place
Investing in a new software system may be the solution to many of the challenges facing your business. The thing about technology is that it comprises a wide variety of options, solutions and the key is finding the “right” answer for your needs. While some of the solutions may appear to be a great fit, ultimately, they may not be the best option, depending on your specific needs. You want to make choices that let you focus on your core business, not on the technology that helps operate it.
April Potts is responsible for Marketing & Sales at Dysel North America and combines experiences in marketing, at dealerships and with ERP software to help dealerships move their business forward.
