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I will start by working with the concerned staff to define the root causes of the problem, then define alternative approaches to resolve it. I will then prepare a plan to resolve the problem (and if within my assignment, execute the approved plan).
The needed skills here are effective communication, knowledge about the subject matter, problem solving, & planning.
First understand if the business in leading in right way and if its growing it can be both ways human resources that is new recruitment and adding man power and also revenue wise , analysing turnover and how company is mangaging crisis and how its handling its risk factors and so on.
There should be also emphasis on reporting system as most companies lack it and it leads to slow growth or no growth.
Once all process can be streamlined and yearly audits will surely help it improve and consultants can give inputs based on their experience in all departments like HR. Sales, If company is manufacturing, customer care , Customer Management, Brand building, new innovations etc.
Skills would be improving sales & marketing, Management skills, reporting trasperancy, Customer Management , Partner /Vendor Management, HR Management, Admin etc.
For A professional person the problem is not matter,because of the problem is itself has direction of solution,and as you know that every problem left the footstep for more skill and get the more expeirence for professional life.
One must understand the whole business processes,perform segmentation to find the problem and its affect on the process,ask the right questions,study each segment and find out it's effects on the net results,.
Then once the problem is identified find proper solution and procedures to solve such problem,get senior management commitment to apply the required changes.
To solve any problem, I believe in the5-Why's technique, which is a tool that helps uncover the root of the problem in a quick manner. It is a tool that was developed by Sakichi Toyoda, one of the fathers of the Japanese industrial revolution (the inventor of Toyota industries).
An example of using the tool is as follows:
Problem: Your client is refusing to pay for the leaflets you printed for them.
1. Why? The delivery was late, so the leaflets couldn't be used.
2. Why? The job took longer than we anticipated.
3. Why? We ran out of printer ink.
4. Why? The ink was all used up on a big, last-minute order.
5. Why? We didn't have enough in stock, and we couldn't order it in quickly enough.
Counter-measure: We need to find a supplier who can deliver ink at very short notice.
Some of the skills needed for solving business problems:
- Communication skills
- Analytical skills
- Helicopter view
- Creative
- Planning and Management
I will first analysis the complete business process. Conduct mom with business owners then point out the pain points. They try to suggest on the basis of my expreince and current paint points best suitable way to get rid of it.
You have to know the company procedure and how they are implemented , then you have to define the problems it's cause and possible solution then. You get the approval of management to implement the change
The duty of a consultant is to sort out the existing issues and to run the business enterprise smoothly.
First of all the most important skill required is probing skills ( Questioning Skills) which will enable us to uncover the existing problems faced while running the business. In the process you need listening Skill too without which you may miss out on the answers you receive by the way of probing. Now you will have to do a root cause analysis to understand the main reason for the problem. Now you will try to use various methods to sort out the basic issue.and if you feel that you have arrived at the best solution then you will work on the implementation of the system with the complete commitment and the support of the management. To go a step further we will initially show the benefits arrived and the productivity increase because of the new method.
The most logical start, for me, is the Financial statements. I believe, all problems in any department will eventually reflect on these statements, and this is the fastest way to spot any major shortfalls. The aim is to ensure the company is financially stable, its cost structure matches its strategy and is operating with reasonable margin. In addition, I might go for an external environment scan as well. That is to ensure the industry is still attractive in general.
If, and only if, a fundamental problem is found in these statements, I will track it down to its relevant department. Once there, I will provide alternative scenarios for best possible practices based on some case studies from the industry.
Once the problem and the solutions are found, I will set a Gateway plan for organizational change with the help of the client’s HR Department. The HRD will implement the plan and I will monitor and check on milestones thereafter.
To finish the task I will need the client to provide an experienced and educated HR Staff. The most important skills would be social intelligence and interpersonal skills in general. In addition, I will need staff with technical/operational knowledge about the relevant issue.
I would strongly rely on a SWOT analysis for the business as a whole, made with the support of Sales and Technical departments. Once strong points, weak points, opportunities and threats are identified, everything can be properly adjusted within the company. I know, said in one phrase it seems too easy, but it is not, and requires the best brains in the company to properly do it. And, who knows, you may identify the next General Manager while doing it!
