As companies race to the bottom of the price index, product and service quality have been declining in many industries. This gives businesses like yours a chance to stand out, as you increase quality and build a solid reputation. But how do you increase quality and maintain your competitive edge?
The answer is simple: Build business systems that increase quality and efficiency.
Read on to find out how you can utilize systems to produce the quality of your products and services while still maintaining a low bottom line.
Start With Three Questions
As you consider improving the quality of your products and services, you may be concerned about price increases that could deter customers. That is a very valid concern. If not done correctly, inflated prices will keep you from capturing some of your market share, which in turn could reduce your company's value and reputation.
Here are three steps to take before focusing on increased product/service quality:
- Determine the market demand. What are your customers asking for?
- Research pricing. Does increased quality come with increased cost? Are there tools that can help you reduce that cost?
- Decide what reputation you want to build for your company.
When you have the answers to these questions, you will be able to determine a) the goal you want to achieve and b) how to reach it.
How to Use Systems to Boost Your Company’s Quality and Reputation
Now that you have a goal in mind, you are ready to build a system to get you there.
1. The first step to take is document existing systems.
You cannot improve something you have not defined. Therefore, you must define and document the existing systems to improve their quality and efficiency. Include your team at every step, incorporate their input, and ensure they document the systems they use every day.
2. Determine what needs to be changed.
Examine the systems you have documented. What needs to change to achieve the goal you defined above? Do you need to change your supplier? Do you need to automate some or most of the above systems? Does your team need improved training? Is your advertising not appealing to the higher-end customers you want? Consult with existing customers, your team, test audiences, and others to ensure you capture every need.
3. Map out the changes.
You have a list of changes that need to be made. Map out how to make them. What steps need to be included in your business systems to achieve your goals?
4. Test implementation.
Reconfigure your systems to adopt the changes, then test them with your team. Do the changes work? Is something missing? Is one department left out of the changes? Make notes to modify the reconfigured systems.
5. Modify and test systems.
Fully modify the systems based on your run-through. Then test them on a limited run.
If the systems change the quality of your products or services, you may want to incorporate customer testing at this stage. For example, if you make products, offer a “limited edition” test product that existing customers can enter into a drawing to receive. If you offer services, you may want to ask a group of customers to be your test group. You might be surprised how many loyal customers enjoy trying new products and/or services.
6. Finalize your procedures, processes, and policies.
Now that you’ve tested the system, make final modifications and then finalize the changes. This means that they are ready for implementation across the company.
7. Train your team.
Your team has been working with you on this project, so they should be informed about upcoming changes. Provide the established processes, policies, and procedures to the team, and work with them to implement them and address any issues that arise.
8. Launch.
Make sure everyone knows that your company is going above and beyond to improve quality and deliver the best products and services in the business.
Are you ready to stand out as a high-quality company with a stellar reputation? We are ready to help! Take the first step by teaming up with the Business Success Consulting Group experts!
