Business

Four Steps to Create a Strategy in an Uncertain Environment.

Published

8 months ago

June 4, 2022

We live in uncertain times, it is obvious. The Covid-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine have all caused unprecedented disruptions over the last few years. And the chaos is not likely to end soon. Companies face many challenges, and it is nearly impossible to plan for their future. This volatile environment demands a new strategy.

Is it worth trying to predict what is unpredictable? Uncertainty can be a source of risk but also opportunity. If handled correctly, uncertainty can allow organizations to expand beyond their existing business and possibly in unexpected directions.

These magic words are “handled correctly.” To transform a world full of uncertainty into one of possibility takes a shift in perspective and a different mindset from business leaders. Companies need a new approach to strategy development. It involves looking beyond what the company can do and imagining what it can do. Then, doing what is necessary to make it possible, even if it means going against established patterns and assumptions.

Strategy Rethink:

It is crucial to have a clear customer view when designing a strategy. What do your clients want? Instead of creating endless customer profiles, companies need to consider each client’s wants. This is the “job to do,” as Taddy Hall and Karen Dillon stated.
It is equally important to involve the whole organization in strategy development. This is not a task that a single corporate strategy team can do. Companies should instead draw upon the flexibility of an adaptable company to generate ideas and find solutions. It is essential to have the right skills at the right places within an organization. However, interactions between people are more important than individuals.
The process of revising and developing strategy should continue. The outcome you desire to achieve is what military strategists refer to as the commander’s intent. After that, the system should be continuously revised and adjusted. The goal of an army context may be to conquer a hill. However, the strategy for reaching that goal is fluid. For example, the process is not to cross the bridge and take the mountain. The bridge may be gone by the time you reach it. Your path to achieving your goal must change to reflect the realities of the ground. In the same way, businesses should not set their goals in advance but define them. Instead, they should draw on the knowledge they have gained along the way and the collective genius of the company.

Companies can thrive in a rapidly changing, fast-paced, and increasingly global marketplace by using this new strategy. Based on my experience in supporting companies, I recommend a four-step approach.

1. Find the big question.

First, you need to ask the right question. This is the question your strategy will attempt to answer. Jerry Porras and Jim Collins talk about big hairy, audacious goals. I enjoy thinking about big fuzzy, bold questions.

Your business should have a vision that expands its value, and that is the big question. It’s not only permissible but encouraged to dream. Customers’ problems and wishes are a crucial source of inspiration. These desires change all the time. Instead of predicting what customers want, it is better to ask them about their problems and frustrations and then work tirelessly to solve those problems. For new ideas, you can also ask your employees, investors, local governments, communities, and, naturally, your employees.

Sometimes the ideas you are looking for may already exist, but it is possible to dismiss them as too far from current operations. Recently, I led a consulting project with a large international airline. For years, they had known that customer demand was more fluid and volatile than it used to be. Due to the limited flexibility that major airlines have, the industry’s flights are generally scheduled with only two fixed schedules per year. Instead of finding a solution to the problem, such as offering one or two more flight schedules per year, we asked the radical question: “How do we offer flights on demand wherever and whenever a customer wishes to fly?”

On-demand flights were not a new idea. It had been discussed on several occasions previously but was dismissed because it was too far from the company’s core business and existing capabilities. The airline is known for regular flights on fixed schedules, just like any other major airline. Many people knew that on-demand flights could create new value. The question of how to make it happen was too complex, too complicated, and too bold for the current mindset of the airline.

2. Reduce it.

Next, you can break down the strategic question into more minor questions that relate to different aspects of your business or operations. This will allow you to anchor your strategy-devising efforts within the company. This also allows you to draw inspiration from outside of your industry. These brainstorming exercises, such as the one described by Hal Gregersen, can be beneficial. The emphasis here is on asking new questions and not searching for answers.

We ran the big question through various functional teams of the company to find out what they thought. This included crew scheduling, network management, crew scheduling, etc. They often replied to our suggestion of on-demand flights with “No way!” We asked them why. We were surprised to learn that they told us the details of what an airline needed to do to make it possible.

Do you see the trick? Instead of trying to win teams over, ask them why they don’t believe it is possible. It’s easier for people to answer this question, and often they have other ideas that you didn’t know about. Even better, it’s fun to take an idea everyone believes is absurd and go for it. This is how creativity comes alive.

This exercise resulted in a collection of sub-questions grouped into subject areas. One sub-question that came out of the discussion about on-demand flights was: How can we spot patterns in demand for flights and adjust capacity and prices accordingly? To put it another way, how can the company move the various activities related to yield management — without the which on-demand flight would not be possible from a business perspective — up to the next level.

3. Get creative.

Next, you will need to answer each sub-question. Then you can start brainstorming ideas and strategizing. You no longer need to think about the sub-questions, adjust them or ask questions if they are missing. Instead, you look for strategic ideas. Inspiration can come from both within and outside the organization. Look at top performers in your industry.

This was especially useful when working with an airline. No external examples were available for the strategic question of offering on-demand flight services. This was because none of the competitors provided such a service. We found many instances when we examined the sub-questions. Many young companies were able to forecast customer demand and adjust prices accordingly for other transportation modes, like buses, in yield management. Inspiration also came from different industries. Today’s fashion industry is fast-paced and renews its collections 12 times per year. This contrasts with the regular spring/summer/fall/winter schedules that were once the norm (like those used by the airline industry).

4. Find the best option.

Finally, determine which of the strategic options presented in the previous step is most effective in addressing each sub-question. We recommend that you first decide what success looks like for your process, then compare the new solution to the current one. Once the alternative solution is superior to the current one, you can abandon the old method. This should be done not only once but every time the market changes.

Your strategy can suffer if you continue to challenge existing solutions. Ask yourself these questions about each step: Does this contribute to our true value proposition?” Are we able to do this? This is the point: You should only do those things that you can answer both questions. You can either outsource or acquire everything else or start your own business.

The sub-question about improving the airline’s yield management was answered by realizing that the company could significantly enhance this area by working closely with a retail travel startup with exceptional capabilities in forecasting demand and anticipating how airlines would respond to pricing and capacity. In reality, the startup was a competitor to the airline in selling airline tickets. Therefore, the best strategic option was to buy a portion of the startup and outsource some of its yield management for on-demand flights. The airline eventually delegated several yield management-related activities and a wide range of exciting developments based upon artificial intelligence (AI) to its new partner.

Take a look at the skies.

Companies often get too focused on their capabilities when developing strategies. They focus too much on what they do well and could do better. We encourage companies to look up, be creative, and explore even the most absurd ideas. You might be surprised at how profitable a statement that you thought was impossible or too expensive suddenly becomes feasible.

Business

When Should You Hire A Life Coach? 5 Things To Know

Published

6 days ago

January 27, 2023

Elodie Joyce

Life coaches play an important role in the life of many people, but still, the concept is new for others. It is undeniable that they play an important role in life because of the kind of support and mentorship they offer. Hence, if you ever need to reach out to a professional coach, you should not hesitate or shy away from putting such a need forward.

Apart from the basic decision-making capability, a life coach Melbourne can help you to figure out various things that are helpful at different life stages. You cannot do everything on your own in life; having someone with an alternative opinion will benefit you in various ways.

You might be confused about the right time to hire a life coach. So, you can consider hiring a life coach whenever you feel the following.

1. A Lost Feeling With Nowhere To Go

Source: coactive.com

There are many instances in life where you will feel lost in your daily life and feel like you don’t have anything to do or anywhere to go. It is common with young adults during this time; they have many things and thoughts on their plate. When you hire a life coach, they will help you find a way amid your thoughts and help you escape the confused state.

Also, if you think you are walking in an endless tunnel, the coach will help you understand yourself and the things you like, followed by those you don’t. Whenever you want to begin something new or let go of something old, the kind of support that you seek will be provided by a coach.

2. You Are Entering The Self-Doubt Stage

There comes a hard stage in life when people begin to overthink, and their highly emotional state leads them to enter the stage of self-doubt. When you begin to doubt yourself, you need to get reassurance for the same, which helps clarify the present situation in life. Deep down, people tend to know what they want but are confused due to many factors which further push them into a vacuum.

Also, suggestions and recommendations pouring in from all spheres further worsen the situation. Instead of doing anything better, such things harm a person’s personality, and they may reach a position where they cannot decide anything for themselves. In such a situation, you need a life coach to help them realize their dreams and opt for ways to help them reach the set goals and objectives.

3. Lack Of Planning And Implementation

Source: forbes.com

Another hint that you need to know your need to hire a life coach is when you feel there is a lack of planning and implementation. It can be due to any distraction, but the main thing is that you lack the effort needed to meet the goals or objectives you have set for yourself. Having a goal is good but useless if you don’t know how to achieve it.

The life coach can help you with the much-needed guidance that will help you create an action plan to move from where you are and reach the place you have set for yourself.

Many potential people have excellent creative skills, but because of their overthinking and lack of confidence, they tend to give up on this side of theirs. It is the worst that anyone can do with themselves; hence, whenever anyone feels like drowning, a life coach should be reached out. Not only do they help act as a ray of hope amid the darkness, but also, their experience is something that everyone can learn from.

4. Looking For A Career Or Field Switch

Often, there are times in life when people get bored with their routine or feel the absence of that spark, making them feel the fear of competition around them. Also, staying unemployed for a long time pushes them to stay where they are, and they tend to lose interest in everything they once enjoyed or loved.

When you want to break out of your lifestyle and want to do something else, you will get everything you need from the help of a life coach. Whether you want an entirely new business line or want to switch your professional field, the coaches will help you cater to your mind. It is the stage when you need rock-solid support, and the coaches will help you get it in every possible step.

It is a big thing, and having various things in your head is fine. So, you need not avoid it. Doing so can take a toll on your health and, further, worsen your physical and mental well-being. It is better to hire a professional before you worsen your condition and consider the same thing later on.

5. Becoming Forgetful, No Follow-Ups, And Procrastination Mode

Source: prevention.com

When you spot an unusual thing about yourself, like when you begin forgetting your routine activities, it means something is wrong. Many people forget things out of habit, but you should pay heed to it if it is a sudden habit. You need to realize the responsibility, and when you need an external factor for the same, the best way is to go for a life coach.

Also, if you want someone who can help you with your accountability, a life coach is the one who can help you. There are some important obligations that you need to fulfill and help you with the daily dose of motivation. These professionals are the best source for the same.

Also, if you want to focus on your habit of becoming a procrastinator, they will help you. As a procrastinator, you will feel stuck and never move a step toward what you seek. You must have a schedule, consistency, perseverance, and do things on time. Your coach will have everything covered and will never make you feel alone.

Conclusion

You should always seek help when you need it the most. Seeking the assistance of a life coach is a sort of help that will not only shape you into a better human but also help you develop habits that will stay with you for a long. It is a cycle. The way someone helps you will help you inspire the people around you, and they can reach out for help too. It is nothing bad to reach out to a life coach, as they will certainly help you somehow.

Business

How to Find the Best Trucking Dispatch Software Solution for Your Business

Published

1 week ago

January 25, 2023

Jenny Garner

Trucks are an important part of any successful business, and with trucking dispatch software, you can maximize the efficiency of your fleet’s operations. But how do you find the best trucking dispatch software solution for your business?

In this blog post, we’ll explore the different options available, and help you make the right decision for your needs. So buckle up and join us on this journey to finding the perfect truck-dispatching partner!

Benefits of Trucking Dispatch Software

Trucking dispatch software can be an invaluable tool for logistics solutions in the trucking industry. It enables operators to monitor and manage their fleet in real time and use the software to efficiently optimize vehicle routes and fleet performance. This makes it easier for businesses to save time, reduce costs, and improve customer service.

The advantages of using trucking dispatch software are numerous, some of which include:

Improved Efficiency: In the trucking business, one of the primary goals should be making sure deliveries arrive on time and without issues. This is where an efficient dispatch system can help. With features like route optimization, automatic driver reminders, real-time GPS tracking, load scheduling, as well as automated billing capabilities that simplifies invoicing—trucking dispatching software helps increase efficiency throughout the entire process ensuring deliveries reach their destination on time with no delays or issues along the way.
Increased Profitability: The main goal of any business is to make a profit. Truck dispatching software helps maximize profits by reducing operational costs associated with fuel consumption and labor costs while increasing efficiency—thereby ensuring maximum profitability in a competitive market.
Better Customer Service: A key aspect of any business is how they interact with their customers. With accurate shipment tracking capabilities that provide real-time updates regarding order status, customers will know when their orders will arrive which enhances customer satisfaction levels. Additionally, with automated reminders to drivers about upcoming deliveries helps minimize delays caused due to human error or other unforeseen circumstances.

Features to Look for in a Trucking Dispatch Software

The right trucking dispatch software solution can play an integral role in helping trucking fleets manage their operations, schedules, customer relationships, and other general operational activities. Nevertheless, finding the best solution for your business requires careful consideration of the essential features you should expect from such software.

Firstly, it should be user-friendly and allow for complex fleet operations to run smoothly with accuracy and speed. This means the interface should be straightforward to use and adaptable with customizable dashboard elements that provide a response to your specific needs. Secondly, it is important to look for a platform that offers customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities with automated order entry and real-time communication—allowing drivers and customers to remain connected while they are on the road. The ability to track drivers’ locations in real-time will also help businesses keep their fleets running more effectively by ensuring there are no issues with deliveries or time management during routes.

Additionally, you should consider looking into fleet management features such as:

Load tracking capabilities that allow you to optimize load capacity;
Live scheduling tools;
Route planning tools;
Vehicle maintenance reports;
Document integration tools;
Fuel management features;
Document scanning technologies;
GPS tracking/geo-fencing abilities;
Driver scorecards/performance reporting tools;
Plus optimized analytics reporting abilities.

Having such powerful features at your fingertips will give your business better control over fleets’ performances with improved visibility and efficiency in daily operations—ensuring effective customer relationships and better overall service delivery in your business.

Tips for Choosing the Best Trucking Dispatch Software

Source: ratings.freightwaves.com

Choosing the right trucking dispatch software for your business can make a big difference in productivity, efficiency and profitability. Here are a few tips to help you find the one that is best suited to your needs.

Decide what kind of dispatching system you need. Some solutions are better suited for large companies with hundreds of trucks or different routes while others work equally well for smaller operations with only a few vehicles or short hauls. You should also consider other features such as customer service tools, accounting tools and GPS integration which can provide you with real-time insights into your operations.
Consider the pricing structure of the software. Depending on how much you plan to use it, pricing can vary widely between different solutions. It’s important to make sure you find something that will fit within your budget without missing out on necessary features for managing your fleet efficiently.
Check out user reviews from other customers who have used the software before making a final decision. This gives you an idea of how intuitive and reliable the solution really is before committing to it. Look especially at overall customer satisfaction ratings so that you can be confident about picking the right product for your business needs.
Look for a product offering easy implementation so that there is minimal downtime when transitioning from one solution to another. A good provider will provide simple installation procedures along with full training and support to ensure that your team can get up and running quickly and easily with any new technology they may need to use in conjunction with their trucking dispatch system.

Advantages of Using Trucking Dispatch Software

Source: detrack.com

It has become an important tool for businesses in the transportation industry. The right dispatch software can make all the difference in your efficiency, cost savings, and customer satisfaction. It’s essential to understand the advantages of using trucking dispatch software before you decide on one for your business.

Using a cloud-based solution also allows you to access vital data anytime which makes it easier for companies to allocate resources efficiently and keep up with changes in market conditions as they arise. This ensures that customers are always provided with accurate information allowing them to monitor progress without interruption. The end result is a much smoother operation which translates into improved customer service overall.

With so many advantages offered by trucking dispatch software it’s not difficult to see why so many businesses are making the switch from traditional systems toward digital solutions like this one!

Conclusion

Finding the best trucking dispatch software solution for your business requires researching different options and weighing features against price. Ultimately, the best trucking dispatch software will be tailor-made for your trucking business’s individual needs.

Think about what functions are essential to running your business in the most efficient and cost-effective way, then take time to research various products and services. Ensure that you read customer reviews and look out for any information that speaks to product reliability and customer service.

Business

What Are Self-Service Kiosks & 9 Ways They Can Benefit Your Business

Published

1 week ago

January 25, 2023

Jenny Garner

Self-service kiosks have become popular these days. Various businesses use these devices to make their tasks more convenient. The benefits they provide are numerous. In this article, we will discuss them in detail. Self-service kiosks are the future of businesses. The primary reason behind it is that they help reduce the load of handling loads of customers.

Every company should adopt new technologies to boost its growth. If you remain stuck in the older ones, customers might find another business. The self-service kiosk machine uses new and advanced technology, and therefore, it is an excellent device that might suit your business needs.

These devices offer customers whatever service they need without any problems. They do these tasks effectively and efficiently. That is why more and more companies are now using these machines to improve their performance.

Before buying these machines for your company, it is essential to understand their uses. They should match your company’s needs. Otherwise, you won’t achieve your business goals quickly. We are here to help you. Keep reading this article till the end to know more about self-serve kiosks and why. Let’s start without any delay.

What Are Self-Service Kiosks?

The primary purpose of a self-service kiosk is to provide services to customers without anyone’s need. For instance, people can buy tickets with these devices by following the procedure. Many restaurants and hotels also use these machines to offer quick services to customers. As a result, more people like to visit hotels and restaurants.

Every company needs to focus on the customer’s needs and demands. A business can’t achieve growth without attracting more people. Using self-service kiosks can increase the chance of getting more attention. You can build a successful enterprise by incorporating the right technology.

What Are The Advantages of Using Self-Service Kiosks?

As the term suggests, these machines don’t need human intervention. The advantages of using them are as follows-

Save costs: The most significant reason to consider self-service kiosks is that they help reduce costs in a business. As they do various tasks independently, you don’t need to hire more employees. Customers can directly get the services they need by using them.

Hiring more employees means increasing the overall costs. If you want to save money, you should consider buying these devices. They might also offer you more than the employees.

Enhance efficiency: Efficiency in a business is only possible when you have a fantastic team to handle customers. Sometimes, it becomes for a company to increase efficiency in their work. In this situation, it is crucial to find out new solutions.

These machines help many companies get back on track and provide the best for their customers. People can use them anywhere and anytime. So their overall experience is much better than before.

Companies can concentrate on other tasks while these devices work independently. This way, enhancing efficiency in a company becomes convenient.

Satisfy the employees: It might seem strange, but you can increase employee satisfaction by installing self-service kiosks. Well, nobody wants to do mundane things in a business. If these machines handle these tasks, they might be happy doing other things. As a result, employee satisfaction will increase in no time.

Source: hexnode.com

It is essential to keep your workers happy in a company. So, you must consistently enhance their experience to get good results.

Increase your sales: Many companies consider self-service kiosks for their marketing campaign. These machines attract many consumers because they can buy products using discount coupons. People need affordable and quality products and services. Once you provide them with the same, you can expect more sales. It will continue to rise in the long run.

Before using these machines in marketing, you should always research what is best. Some businesses make haste and fail during the process.

Quick return on investment: Companies aim at achieving a high return on investment to identify their growth in the market. Self-service kiosks are also helpful in achieving a return on investment quickly. More sales mean better growth and return on investment.

Different businesses in the market are improving their return on investment by using these machines. One can transform the overall performance quickly by using the right strategies and techniques.

Enhance communication with customers: You might already know the importance of interaction with consumers in a company. It impacts your business growth in many ways. That is why you need to implement the best techniques to succeed.

Source: mactrongroup.com

Self-service kiosks are beneficial because customers can connect directly with businesses. It gives both companies and consumers the convenience of interacting. You don’t need extra effort to share the updates with your audience.

Customer satisfaction is possible: Nowadays, people need those machines that satisfy their needs quickly. Companies can offer self-service kiosk machines to satisfy their customers. They can get whatever product or service they want instantly without any issues. The best thing is they don’t need to depend on anyone for the same

Digital technology has always been successful in giving the best experience to everyone. These machines are also gaining attention because of their excellent results.

No security risks: People are always hesitant while sharing their information with others. Hacking has become prevalent these days. It is high time that companies need to protect customers’ data.

Self-service kiosks are suitable for protecting the data of customers. They don’t need to worry about hacking as these machines are safe to use. It is one of the reasons why companies consider getting these devices.

Get feedback quickly: Many businesses don’t know how good their services or products are without getting feedback. Therefore, feedback is crucial to improve your company.

Self-service kiosks are the best devices for analyzing customer actions and getting feedback. This way, you can find ways to improve your customers’ experience.

The Bottom Line

Self-service kiosks are new in the market. However, the experience after using them for your business will be exceptional. We hope this article helped you understand the importance of using these devices. A little bit of research is essential when it comes to making such decisions.