By Bob Godgart 2

managed services efficiency

“Cost-cutting” is the obvious first step. And, in some respects is the easiest path. But that could also start you on a downward spiral that will force you to continue to shrink your business to the point where it becomes non-viable.

Growth-minded companies need to find effective ways to accelerate their businesses. Leaders and top managers need to assess their resources and ask themselves, “How much better could we be using the resources we have today?” And, “What tools do I need to get the job done better and faster?” Key areas to look at are improved efficiency and process automation — two paths to long-term gains in productivity and improved bottom-line operating income.

Nine Questions to Help You Retool

That’s why IT service organizations can benefit from the same concept of “retooling”  used by manufacturing companies for their factories. For IT service providers, retooling means first taking a hard look at the processes you have in place for selling, implementing, delivering and billing your IT services and products. Then, isolate and correct any productivity leaks or gaps. Unless you consider your “whole” business (products and services), you’ll likely miss critical areas that could be draining your cash flow and the productivity of your staff.

Here are nine areas you should consider:

Changing Times

Until recently, the largest and most sophisticated service providers were the only ones that could afford sophisticated IT service automation and business management tools.

Large companies routinely spent six figures to buy an ERP system and invested a year or more of system development and integration to fit it to their business. However, most independents and smaller shops had to manage their businesses with a variety of stand-alone spreadsheets and home-grown applications, which can sap precious internal resources to build and maintain – resources that should be directed on building and servicing your client-base.

As you know, even the smallest IT businesses have an enormous amount of complexity to manage – multiple clients, contract SLA’s, business models, vendor programs and systems. And, while it may seem okay to manage your business that way, you might be surprised at how inefficient some of these processes can be.

Make 2010 the year you take control of your company and get serious about efficiency. Take time to find a purpose-built IT business management platform that you can afford and meet your needs. Make sure that it is fully integrated and works seamlessly with the other tools you use. Find a one-stop solution that not only fits your business size, but comes with a team of professionals who are available to help — and a community of peers who have already faced some of these same challenges.

bobgodgart_autotask

Bob Godgart is CEO of Autotask Corp. Monthly guest blogs such as this one are part of MSPmentor’s annual platinum sponsor program. Read all of Bob’s guest blog entries here.