Streamline:

The Business Directory defines streamlining as:

"To improve the efficiency of a process, business or organization by simplifying or eliminating unnecessary steps, using modernizing techniques, or taking other approaches."

Systemizing, Automating and integrating your entire operation is the proven method to streamline successfully. By using this process, a business cuts out all the deadwood, unnecessaries, and clutter. The most noticeable effects on a company are the reduction of costs and accordingly, the increase in profits.

There are many hidden benefits, such as; enabling an increase in disposable income for reinvestment, restructuring and refurbishing. A healthier profit margin is also a significant benefit of streamlining. A company could pass the savings on to customers by way of special offers, or reducing the retail price of a product/service; enabling a company to be more competitive. Or, the owner simply may want to enjoy the fruits of their labour and use some of the savings made by streamlining, to increase net profit margins.

The object of the exercise is to fine-tune the engine of a company, so it runs with optimum efficiency. By eliminating all the dead-weight (which slows business performance and productivity) streamlining will:

• Increase/maximize productivity

• Simplify complex operations and tasks

• Improve company/staff efficiency

• Substantially improve CRM and ratings

• Upscale

• Eliminate unnecessary processing steps

• Improve time, motion, and delivery

• Flourish better workplace conditions & staff morale

• Make fewer errors

• Be more eco-friendly & reduce its carbon footprint

The Business directory also makes an excellent point —

"Streamlining through smart automation also helps the environment. With the use of modern devices and technology, billions of trees are saved due to humankind no longer needing or using paper as the primary form of communication, correspondence, filing, or documenting. Recycling costs, too, are lowered. Hidden costs to a business, traditionally using items such as; folders, paper clips, post-it-notes, calculators, phone books, staplers, diaries, pens — are dramatically cut, which in turn increases profit margins."

The importance of protecting the environment is currently high on the priority list of most thinking people, and these people (hundreds of millions of them) are your potential customers. Streamlining has a significant, positive impact on the environment. Therefore, any company that makes intelligent and informed changes to benefit climate change can proudly boast of their contribution when advertising their product or service. Eco-savvy shoppers will gravitate towards any company who demonstrates its willingness to 'save the planet'. So, be smart with your choices.

Streamlining will also save the company a significant amount of money each year by eliminating clutter and the need for storage. Every cent you save goes back into growing your business. Streamlining makes a noticeable difference to the chaos, too, by creating a more organized, less disrupted, workspace — a win-win for all.