Owning and running a business is no easy task and if you do not keep up with your business processes, you will find that they quickly become out of date. It is important for any business to stay informed when it comes to new software and new technology, as this can help them improve the way the company functions.
While you do not have to restructure your entire company to put new processes into place, you should work individually with each department or area and gradually introduce the new system, as it will not only affect you, but your business overall, employees, and even customers.
Below, we will take a look at 6 main processes that you should consider updating when it comes to your business.
Bookkeeping
If you handle your bookkeeping with the old, manual pen and paper method, you need to update your process. There are many bookkeeping software options available to help you manage your finances and also know what has been paid, when it is paid and more. These software applications can truly transform the way your bookkeeping department operates. Your employees will save time and errors will be reduced greatly.
Current Customer Orders
Current customer orders can be hard to manage, especially if you take traditional orders on paper. It is easy to lose the paperwork and even easier to forget to write something down on the customer’s order. Because of this, it is a good idea to update your current customer orders process. You can do so by implementing a software that allows you to input information about the customer and his or her preferences.
Utilising a programme to store current customer orders will allow your employees to jot down notes and ideas as they come to mind and this can eliminate the accidental oversight.
Past Customer Orders and Paperwork
If you currently keep all of your past customer orders and paperwork stashed somewhere in a box, it is time to update this process. You have a couple of options here. First, you could create a filing system that allows you to store the past orders or paperwork in a systematic way. Or, you could scan and upload the paperwork and past orders to a hard drive and save them there. The second option would eliminate all of the additional paper on hand.
Invoicing Systems and Software
Money is important, and you want to make sure your invoices are paid and current. If you do not have a system in place to monitor customer payments or payments to your vendors, now is the time to jump on it. You can utilise invoicing software systems that allow you to send and receive invoices at the click of a button.
Shipment of Products
If you do not have any rhyme or reason as to how you ship your products currently, sit down and take a look at your process. You may find that you can cut down ship time here or there and you may even find that there are cheaper shipping options available for some of your products.
Marketing of Products
Marketing your products can be difficult, especially if you do not have any experience. If you are limited on finances and you have a poorly drawn out marketing plan, now is the time to look at it and revamp it. You can use free outlets to market your business such as on social media.
Your Business Will Succeed with Updated Processes
Just as products, services, and clothes change over the years, your business needs to as well. If you are still stuck in archaic times when it comes to your processes, you need to take some time and rework those processes.
The above 6 business processes are the most important and you will find that once you update them, you receive more business and your business flows better overall.