​How Does Business Consultancy Work?

 

Analyzing business processes on paper isn’t enough. One has to see them in action, and a quick glance won’t be enough to provide data from which a consultant can make a conclusion about the process as a whole.

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So, the first step a business process consultant takes will be to get to know your business processes as intimately, if not more so, than you already do. He or she will watch your people at work, asking questions for clarification as needed.  Now, the business process consultant strives to find more efficient ways of handling the processes that have been observed. He or she will look for inefficiencies in the system, seeking ways to eliminate them so that the work can flow more smoothly and efficiently.

 

Areas for improvement would include:

 

• Identifying corporate stakeholder wants and needs.

• Prioritizing goals and tasks. 

• Identifying and eliminating bottlenecks, inefficient use of resources and time.

• Setting timelines and milestones for key strategic goals,  holding managers accountable.

• Identifying areas where poor communication or lack of accountability affect productivity.

• Finally, the business process consultant reports to management, highlighting areas for improvement and making suggestions for improvement. In certain instances, the consultant or business owner will want to see how the proposed new workflows operate in practice, and then a trial run will be set up.

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Benefits of using a business process consultant

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One of the biggest benefits of using a business process consultant is that you get a “fresh pair of eyes.” When we’re in the thick of things, it can be difficult to spot inefficiencies that are painfully obvious to an outside observer.

  Since a proper business process consultant is highly qualified and will have a strong business background, you will also get the benefit of this experience.  And although you will certainly pay for this professional’s time, it still works out a lot less costly than hiring a person with that skill level as an employee.

 

Finally, a business process consultant will be perfectly honest and will be comfortable with raising issues that your own staff members might be reluctant to bring to your attention.