The Improvement Process

Improving your business isn’t a quick item to check off the to-do list. Continual improvement through the ongoing application of this six-step process ensures your organization consistently operates effectively and efficiently. Make sure your company is taking the time to complete each of the following steps.

1. Perform a situation analysis. Start by assessing the current situation to see where your organization stands. What are the strengths and weakness of your current business practices? What threats and opportunities are present? This complete evaluation helps you determine what your company needs to do to succeed.
2. Set goals. Once you’ve examined the current situation, you should set challenging but realistic objectives. Consider past and current performance as well as future plans when setting new goals for your business. Don’t forget to involve other team members in this process since your employees are more likely to work harder for an idea they helped create.
3. Create action plans. The expertise of all managers and team members is vital to creating a roadmap to achieving your goals. Clear, detailed steps will help your team successfully perform their duties and achieve strong results.
4. Implement action plans. Once you’ve established a path to follow, the key to success is the execution. All employees need to be prepared for their duties and aware of how their performance affects the entire team’s ability to implement your action plans.
5. Measure results. Be sure to regularly track any results from your plan implementation. This will help you evaluate your team’s progress. Celebrate success, encourage improvement, or make midstream corrections as needed.
6. Adapt plans. Once you’ve reviewed your results, you should adjust your actions plans to address any issues and optimize the things that are working well. This mindset of continuous improvement will keep your team sharp and give your business a competitive edge.

These six steps will create a consistent learning environment in your company, leading to more success for your employees and your business.

Mike Moore offers HVAC advice for managers, technicians, and sales teams daily on Facebook, Twitter, and my blog. Follow Mike and stay in the know.

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