Getting Down to Business When Times are Tight:
Doing More With Less

by Ginger Worthington

Times are tough... but you already know that! In today’s economy, companies are facing multiple challenges — too many projects, not enough people or time, burnout, poor customer service, lost revenue, budget cuts, hiring freezes...

It’s a vicious cycle. So, what can you do to stop the spinning?

Retreat and Regroup

Some companies choose the “retreat and regroup” approach — putting all “non-essential” projects on hold until further notice. However, there is a cost to this strategy:

• Projects that directly impact customer service or employee productivity may ultimately lead to lost revenue. The question is, how much can you afford to lose right now?
• Slow erosion of process infrastructure, leading to a weakened foundation when business does return to “normal.”

Manage Projects In-House

Companies cannot manage projects internally without affecting their bottom line. Consider these costs:

• Reallocating resources means that something else is not being done. How much is that lost productivity costing you?
• Adding ad-hoc projects to an employee’s already full workload can lead to errors, burnout, poor customer service, and ultimately lost customers and higher turnover. Besides lost revenue, there is the cost of recruiting and training new employees, plus the cost of lower productivity and more mistakes during the learning curve.

Utilize Outside Resources

When you don’t have the time, the resources, or the experience to tackle a project, an outside consultant or contractor may be the best, and most cost effective alternative. A good consultant will work with you to develop a project plan that meets your needs and your budget.

With outside help, you really can afford to:

• Strengthen your management team and their effectiveness
• Improve customer service through customized skills training
• Reduce customer complaints and elevate service levels
• Enhance productivity
• Document your processes, policies and procedures
• And much, much more

Worthington Consulting offers a full range of management services designed to enhance and compliment your existing team. For more information, call Worthington Consulting at (214) 693-3401 or contact us by email.