How to Tune Your Operations to Create New Standards of Performance

One of the unintended consequences of growth is that your operations need to scale with you. For instance, if your account team is lean (and only employs a few people), the need for a formal system to run projects through isn’t often required. However, as you grow and the account team expands, your organisation needs a more formal system to ensure you don’t disappoint your clients.

While that system works today, if you were to scale again, this will likely need more tuning. At the foundation of all this are your standards of performance. Here’s how you can approach any operational excellence challenge:

Understand Your Objectives

One way to approach any operational excellence challenge is to understand what you’re trying to achieve. Ask yourself some key questions:

• What are your values?
• What do you want your team to align to?
• What are the non-negotiables that you’re adhering to?
• How does this help us achieve our long-term objectives?

Implementing a Scalable System

As your organisation grows, implementing a scalable system becomes critical. Here are some steps to consider:

1. Assess Current Processes: Conduct a thorough review of your current processes. Identify what works well and what needs improvement.
2. Standardise Operations: Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) that can be easily followed and replicated. This ensures consistency in quality and performance.
3. Invest in Technology: To streamline operations and utilise project management tools, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and other software solutions. Automation can reduce errors and increase efficiency.
4. Train Your Team: Continuous training and development are essential. Ensure your team is well-versed in new systems and processes.

Continuous Improvement

Operational excellence is not a one-time achievement but a continuous journey. Foster a culture of continuous improvement by:

• Encouraging Feedback: Create channels for employees to provide feedback on processes and suggest improvements.
• Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits to ensure processes are being followed and identify improvement areas.
• Benchmarking: Compare your performance against industry standards and best practices. This can provide insights into where you can improve.

Leadership and Culture

The role of leadership and company culture cannot be overstated in achieving operational excellence. Leaders must:

• Set Clear Expectations: Clearly communicate the standards of excellence and each team member’s role in achieving them.
• Lead by Example: Demonstrate commitment to these standards through your actions.
• Foster a Positive Culture: Encourage a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.

Actionable Advice

End your article with actionable advice that readers can implement immediately:

• Set Specific Goals: Define clear, measurable goals for your operations.
• Develop a Roadmap: Create a roadmap for achieving these goals, with specific milestones and deadlines.
• Monitor Progress: Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and adjust as needed.

Conclusion

Trying to grow an organisation without creating new performance standards will just hamper your longer-term ambitions. By understanding your objectives, implementing scalable systems, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and providing strong leadership, you can tune your operations to meet and exceed new standards of excellence. This approach will ensure sustainable growth and long-term success for your organisation.