Is your team built for Speed

I was just reflecting on how business has changed over the last 30 years. I would have to say the major change in all things is the speed we do things. Think of the last time you contacted a supplier and asked them a question about their product. Some time ago we would have to wait for some info to be sent by post, then a few years later we got the info by Fax, now its info by email or the web. We expect this, and so do our customers.

Now consider your team and all the ways it interacts with your customers. Do you offer the speed that everyone craves? Can you offer the product description the moment the customer asks? Can you accept their purchase order and validate it? Once the purchase order is accepted, are the goods and services scheduled and programmed for delivery? I sure hope the answer of these types of questions is a resounding YES.

If you are like the rest of us there's a fair chance that some areas of your product cycle could do with an increase in speed. Lets look at how our team interacts with our customers, suppliers and our own team. Which areas could do with some streamlining? Lets list them all and then prioritise.

My rule of thumb in this area, is all tasks that touch people need to be given a high priority especially your customers and your own team members, don't let these very important people ever be in doubt. Set up your systems so you can act with speed.

If you can concentrate and improve the speed with which you act, people will see your leadership flow through and want to continue to do business with you.