Ever felt like your team is spinning its wheels, stuck in a rut where processes are more of a burden than a boost?
It’s frustrating. You’re not alone.
But here’s the good news: you can turn it around in just 90 days.
It takes effort, a solid plan, and the willingness to embrace change. Let’s break it down for you.
Step 1: Assess the Landscape
First things first, you need a clear picture of what’s going on. Look at the current processes, identify pain points, and gather feedback from your team. Getting everyone’s input is key. It’s vital to understand where people are struggling and why.
- Hold one-on-one sessions to hear concerns.
- Set up anonymous surveys for honest feedback.
- Analyze performance metrics to find trends.
Step 2: Define Success
Alright, you know where you’re at. Now, where do you want to be?
Define what success looks like for your team. This can be quantitative metrics like:
- Time taken for task completion
- Cost reductions
- Quality of output
But also consider qualitative factors:
- Team morale and engagement
- Customer satisfaction
Step 3: Gather Your Allies
You can’t do this alone. It takes a team! Assemble a cross-functional team comprised of folks from different departments. This gives you diverse perspectives and expertise. Think about:
- Process Experts
- Subject Matter Experts
- Culture Champions
Step 4: Map Out Your Plan
Now, you have your current state, your desired state, and your dream team ready to roll. Time to craft a plan! Keep it simple, actionable, and broken down into manageable goals.
Some handy milestones can be:
- Weeks 1-2: Diagnostic phase. Deep dive into existing processes.
- Weeks 3-5: Design phase. Begin shaping your new processes.
- Weeks 6-8: Implementation phase. Roll out your new processes.
- Weeks 9-12: Review phase. Analyze results and adjust as needed.
Step 5: Communicate, Communicate, Communicate!
This is where many teams falter. You MUST keep everyone in the loop. Share what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and how it’ll affect them. Use different platforms—regular meetings, posters, newsletters—whatever it takes!
Step 6: Roll It Out
Time to shine! Get your new processes into action and take care as you introduce changes. Chemistry between team members and new workflows can be delicate. Offer support and be there to troubleshoot as necessary.
Step 7: Measure and Adjust
Once you’ve rolled out the new processes, keep an eye on performance. Gather data, monitor metrics, and seek ongoing feedback. It’s essential to be agile here—don’t be afraid to tweak and refine as needed. Continuous improvement is key.
Testimonials from the Front Lines
Let me share a quick story. I worked with a shared services team that was struggling with inefficiencies in their finance processes. After assessing their challenges, we defined success as reducing the time to close monthly accounts by two days.
Within 90 days, not only had we met our goal, but the team was also buzzing with newfound confidence!
The Bottom Line
Revitalizing a failing process isn’t impossible. It just takes intention, strategy, and teamwork.
Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.
Transform your operations, lift team spirits, and redefine success in just 90 days.
If you’re looking for more resources and insights on shared services, make sure to check out THEGBSEDGE blog. It’s packed with valuable content on transformation, innovation, and leadership.
This blog is created by Vikrant Aglawe—your go-to expert with 20+ years in shared services and the outsourcing industry.
