Three Insider Secrets to Streamline Your Company
By Merle Laird
A few years ago I was asked to go into an organization that was struggling with their hiring process. They had 15 plants across North America and each one had a different method of hiring new employees and organizing their files.
My task was to review the hiring procedure from the application process to the employee file creation. I was to analyze the paperwork involved and what was being requested from the employee and see how it could be made standard in each location in order to meet compliance.
Once the process maps were reviewed, we discovered that there were 28 different forms for the same system. After reviewing these with the HR, Payroll and Administration personnel, we were able to develop one consistent process for all the plants. By the end, the 28 different forms were reduced to a mere five!
Lessons Learned
This organization yields valuable lessons that can be applied to any workplace. The three most important ones were:
1. Band-Aid Solutions Won’t Work Forever.
Business processes evolve over time. At this organization, with each new Human Resources legislative requirement or software change came the need for another form or band-aid solution. Over time, the changes became harder and harder to apply.
2. Start From Scratch.
This company did the right thing by starting from the beginning. This made it easier to develop a cohesive system that would work for everyone.
3. Map It Out
By starting all over and mapping out the process, this organization was able to review, simplify, streamline and reduce the steps while still adding value to the process.
Just another example of how Business Process Improvements can go a long way to helping businesses achieve success in countless ways. For more information about this BPI and how it can work for your company, contact us at info@bizxcel.com.
Services Explained informs about the various services available to businesses and how they can help you improve today and into the future.
Merle Laird is a Business Process Analyst with over 20 years experience working with manufacturing industries, service organizations, health care, social services, government and non-profit organizations. She has extensive knowledge of business process improvement and forms design in the management industry.
