Business Improvement

Business Process Improvement Business Catalyst's consultants have undertaken a wide range of process improvement assignments ranging from key processes for an organisation to business-wide strategic initiatives.

In all our business improvement assignments, we ensure that our solutions are practical, workable, cost effective and fit the "culture" of the client. In this regard, we take the time to ensure the client's staff are involved in the redesign and are trained in the new process / technology. Hence the results of our work speak for themselves, as follows: Better business performance   Improved quality of transactions, products and management information   Applying technology as the critical enabler to realise the true business value of each process   Tangible, bottom line benefits that are sustainable   While many firms undertake similar work, a big differentiator for Business Catalyst is its 100% track record of success in delivering sustainable business improvements, which results from the depth of hands-on experience of our team, our practical and pragmatic methodologies and total commitment to customer satisfaction. In all our business improvement assignments, we ensure that our solutions are practical, workable, cost effective and fit the "culture" of the client. We operate in a "One Team Concept" where Business Catalyst manages the delivery of the project in close alignment with the client. It is also important that the improvement program is aligned with the business strategy and sets out clear outcomes to be achieved. Once opportunities have been defined, we prioritise them with the support of management. The approach also focuses on delivering "Quick Wins" to build momentum and credibility as well as developing longer-term initiatives. Capturing the benefits to the bottom line is a crucial element. We design a Benefits Realisation Program, which will detail deliverable improvements, key performance indicators, accountabilities, milestones and a tracking system to monitor progress. Finally, we place heavy emphasis on designing an integrated Change Management Program (both at the start of the engagement and in subsequent phases) that will deliver alignment of staff and maintain operational effectiveness and customer focus during the transition. Sustainability of improvements is the key challenge We have seen many examples of organisations chopping 20%-30% of employees in a particular area of business - only to realise in a year's time that it was a mistake and anticipated cost savings were not sustainable. Our approach is based on improving business processes, establishing service levels and leveraging technology to ensure that clients not only achieve sustainable cost savings but also significantly improve the effectiveness of their business processes. This will enable a corresponding increase in their capability to increase bottom-line results and longer term business value. Such work requires hands-on management experience and consulting expertise, insights and change management skills that only comes from years of practical experience and not simply through a methodology driven approach. Each improvement initiative must be analysed in terms of: Specific benefits, both hard $ and non-qualitative   Time scale for benefit realisation   Risks and dependencies   Impact analysis - service levels - customers   Cost of implementation and time-frame   Responsibility and accountability   Change Management To foster early buy-in and support, a co-ordinated communication and change management programs are initiated from the outset of the business improvement programme, covering the following areas: Project Management Much of the change that takes place in business today is project driven and work is managed with an increasing focus on the need to balance time, cost, performance, and risk. Business Catalyst's Project Management practice offers an integrated solution to optimise project performance. It assists clients to determine the priority of projects and to understand how to bring together the right resources. Where necessary, Business Catalyst provides clients with the additional skills they need to get the job done. From business and IT project development and project office management to business benefits realisation, Business Catalyst works with clients to construct a cohesive, achievable plan that identifies and coordinates all elements necessary to achieve the project outcomes within the strategic time frame. An example of our Business Improvement Approach Our approach reflects our thorough understanding of business drivers, disciplined use of facts and data, targeted focus on key processes and diligent attention to improving, redesigning and managing business processes. The following example was developed for a client assignment designed to: Improve operational efficiencies and reducing cost structure   Sustain and grow the top line(revenues) both in the short term and over the longer term   Overview of our approach A highly effective strategic and operational approach - example only Key elements of Phases 1 and 2 of our approach are outlined below