Inefficiencies
are costly, both in terms of managing such a clunky operation and in regards to
customer satisfaction. By streamlining your business you can improve, lower
your overhead costs, and have money left over to reinvest into the critical
infrastructure of your business for the future.
Some
industries have no problem doing this, others, however, run on a very narrow
profit margin, making reinvestment possibilities almost a pipe dream. Take the healthcare industry, for example.
Around the world this industry is facing a huge overhaul in order to keep up
with the times, and yet progress is still slow moving. The ironic problem here,
however, is that healthcare faces fewer inefficiencies and admin times when it
is paid for and operated by the government, rather than a private facility.
One
of the reasons for this inefficiency in private hospitals and practices is
simple patient management and billing. These two factors are imperative for a
private facility’s success, and yet it can take a multitude of hours to get
through simply due to how complicated the system can be.
On
the other hand, public facilities find it difficult to lower costs and still
provide quality care.
The
answer to both the woes of these facilities is to undergo the same steps that
would benefit any business. They must analyze, strategize, implement, and audit
so that they can be efficient and automated.
Importance of Streamlining Your Business
Streamlining
your business is key to get it up and running smoothly and without any hiccups.
If you operate with a very delicate supply chain, whether that supply chain is
within the healthcare industry or in retail, you will know exactly how
important it is that everything gets to where it needs to be on time. Keeping
inventory is an obvious step forward, but imagine how much time and money can
be saved if a computer, keeping track of this inventory, could send out
automated requests to refill your stock before you run out? Your medical
practice would never be without sterilized needles. Your retail business would
never run out of your best seller.
Benefits of Streamlining a Business
Some
key benefits to streamline your business include:
Improved Use of Resources
When
you streamline your business, you should be able to make better use of
resources. Along the supply chain there is plenty of waste, but waste is
inherently a design flaw. It is material you have paid for and yet are throwing
away because it is inconvenient. By instead changing your supply chain to
either recycle this waste or reuse it you can reduce cost and production of raw
materials.
Reduced Costs
Reduced costs is
one of the main drives of a more efficient system. Admin processes take up a
lot of time that can be better spent, and with today’s technology it is
possible to automate so much that before would take days if not weeks to
accomplish. You can get HR management software, for example, and have employees
update their own profiles so that the payroll process can be done in a snap.
Increased Convenience
In
healthcare it is believed that patients should have better access to their own
records. With the right system patients will
be able to access these files safely and securely, and therefore be able to
provide better access to their health than before.
Increased Speed
Automated
tasks speed everything up because a computer can send them out instantaneously,
speeding up the process along the entire supply chain from production to
customer service. This automation can also be key to reduce wasted time. For example,
automatic reminders have been proven to reduce the amount of no-shows.
Increased Customer Service
The
customer experience is imperative, even for the healthcare industry.
So, if customer (or in that example, patient care) is so important in an
industry that is vital, imagine how critical it is for any other type of
business. With automation and the right systems, you can provide improved
service, personalization, and automated reporting so that your customers or
clients know exactly what is going on and can stay on track with your progress.
How to Streamline Your Company
Now that you are fully aware of the benefits, you know what you need to work
towards. Though every company is different – streamlining a medical facility
will be different to streamlining a marketing agency – there are a few steps
that remain the same:
·
Install the Right Programs
One of the best ways to streamline your company is
to simply install the right software. Even in industry-specific software there
are variations. For the healthcare industry, for example, there are different
programs ideal for small generic practices and hospitals, and choosing the
right one from MedicalDirector
is key to your success.
·
Create a Metadata Format
When it comes to inputting information into said
program, you will need to either follow the recommended metadata formats or
create one of your own. This way you can organize your data in a way that can
be easily accessed by everyone now and into the future.
·
Set up Automated Tasks
Automated tasks are easy to set up with the right
management program. With the aforementioned healthcare software, for example,
you would be able to set up automated appointment reminders.
·
Audit Your Company on a Regular Basis
Go through and audit your business, starting first
by asking your employees what is taking them too long and how they believe it
can be improved. They’re on the front lines and will often know best.
When
it comes to streamlining your business, it is important to remember that Rome
was not built in a day. It will take time to root out your business’s issues
successfully and to implement the right structures and programs you need to
improve automation, personalization, and communication.
Technology can help every industry improve their time and customer management
skills, but going through and restructuring is no easy task. Hunker down,
commit to a realistic schedule, and watch the cost savings rise.
