You’ve spent years developing your firm’s processes. That’s why, when it comes to helping clients develop successful business processes, you can lead by example.
We all want to work better, smarter, and more efficiently. That’s where process advisory comes in. You might have already heard a little about the different types of client accounting advisory. Now, we want to dive deep into why having good processes is deeply important for small businesses — and how you, as an advisor, can help!
So… What is process advisory?
Process advisory is a service you can offer as part of your advisory packages. Basically, it means helping a client’s business run smoother. We’ve all had bumps in the road when it comes to our business processes. Maybe you’ve found that the software you were using was complicating client onboarding rather than making it easier; maybe a questionnaire you sent to your team was missing a vital question. Whatever the case may be, you aren’t a stranger to finding problems in your own workflow and fixing them. Your clients need help doing that too, and they want someone who understands the most cost-effective ways to run a business.
Assess existing processes
When you take on a new advising client, the first thing you’ll want to do is look at what they’ve already got going for them. Take some time to comb through their existing processes, find what’s working well, and pinpoint the places where steps could be made easier. One of the most effective tools in this discovery process is questionnaires. Through a series of questions, find out what is and isn’t working for all members of your client’s team. Base your suggestions for improvement on the comments and concerns of the team. After all, when it comes to the effectiveness of everyday business practices, who knows better than the employees of the business who have to utilize these processes?
Make suggestions and carve a path towards improvement
The most important part of process advisory is helping your client figure out “where do I go from here?” Sure, we might have identified some steps in your client’s processes that weren’t working, but they might be at a loss for how to fix those things. Your job is to make educated suggestions for improvements and the ways those improvements can be implemented. Changing up the way a business is run can be confusing, so your client will want to be sure that every member of their team understands the changes.
Workflow Automation
Another area you might find yourself diving into is workflow automation. In the modern age, digitization is changing the way we do business. There are plenty of great software solutions out there to solve all of your business needs. It’s no wonder that process advisory can sometimes include making suggestions for workflow software. Each business has different needs, and not every software will be for everyone. Figure out what features are necessities and what your client’s price range is. Then, compile a list of the possible programs based on the profile your client created.
Whether it’s suggesting a new workflow software or helping your business improve the way they file information, your process advisory can be a real game-changer for small businesses. Making our businesses more efficient is how we save time and money… and it’s high time you profited off your business expertise through selling process advisory services.
