Business Acumen can create a business synergy that can and does drive efficiency and profits.
How many employees are encouraged and/or motivated to take the time, or are guided by their manager, to learn the business beyond their own function? With everyone so busy doing their ‘day jobs,’ that mentality is more often the exception rather than the rule.
The Walk
One employee I know did exactly that. This employee, Chris, worked in Information Technology and saw a recurring problem between workflow from their group and a group they supported at another factory location in the same city that dealt with parts maintenance. This recurring problem had been going on for months, causing workflow issues at the factory. No one in Information Technology had communicated with or to the factory site to determine the issues. Finally, Chris, a new employee, took time from his schedule and went to the factory for a day to meet with all the people in the factory who were impacted by the recurring problem:
- the receiving person
- the people who clean the parts
- the people that keep the parts moving through the process
- the people who need reports on how the factory process is progressing daily to communicate the status of the parts with the customers (these parts are integral to keeping the customers’ businesses functioning)
- last but not least, the shipping people
This site visit day revealed all the problems, and Chris now had a clear understanding of both the problem and the multiple impacts caused by the ignored problem. (Formerly, no problem identification or problem-solving communication was initiated by Information Technology. The factory workers had to be satisfied dealing with counterproductive, clunky workarounds.) This problem affected:
- the business
- the factory workers’ personal lives
- which in turn affected the factory workers’ morale and productivity
Many of you will think, “So what’s the big deal”? It’s all about the business, so it is a very big deal! Here’s the outcome. The results were excellent, and below are two key findings:
- The factory reclaimed over 5700 hours of lost productivity annually. Think about the cost, time, and manpower impacted by these 5700 hours.
- All the factory workers were no longer simultaneously kicked out of the software several times a day, resulting in them having to reenter all their steps several times a day.
Lesson Learned
The workplace comprises interconnected functions that rely on each other to complete the job. As we become more specialized in our expertise, the dreaded silo effect can silently become the norm and create a dysfunctional operating culture. Remember, silos don’t touch each other!
By learning about and understanding the business of the groups they support, the Information Technology group began to move out of their technical silo and built functional bridges with another business area. The resulting synergy contributed to better business outcomes for the factory workers. They are ultimately responsible to the customers who keep the organization in business.
When interdepartmental business problems exist, be concerned enough to do something about them. Information Technology and all support groups are not an end unto themselves but are a means to a better business end. That better end is the customer and, ultimately, the viability and profitability of the company. So, learn about the business of the business both laterally and upward within the organization. Step out of the silos and let the business synergy begin.
This is just one small effort by one employee in an organization. Imagine the business impact if everyone in an organization had the same attitude. The multiplier effect can be extraordinary.
Leadership, it’s time to encourage continual business learning across the organization. Learning and business understanding create business synergy. A continuous learning culture can achieve excellent business outcomes. It’s your choice!
We invite you to learn more about how people, potential, and performance translate into your company's profits. In addition to profits for your company, see how you can engage your employees and ultimately have more satisfied clients. Schedule a complimentary organizational benchmark assessment with our team to learn how to further motivate your people to their full potential to drive enhanced performance results to bring your company to the next level.
