Business Process Assessment

The few minutes you spend reviewing and answering this questionnaire will, at the very least, give you a better understanding of how your business processes and procedures help or hinder you and your employees in getting things done. Done correctly and followed through, they could help launch your business to new heights of success and bring you closer to achieving your goals and objectives.

Remember, there are no "right" or "wrong" answers. Use your best judgment. Only you can decide if having your accountant run a report and get you the results the next day is the same as "having this information at my fingertips."

When completed, email the information to us. We will send you your score as well as information on how to interpret your score.

If you would like to, you can have a personal phone discussion of your results as well.

Carefully review the following statements and check every one you agree with.

For the next 7 to 14 weeks, I know exactly
      How much CASH I start the week with
      Receivables I expect to come in
      Payables I expect to pay out
      How much cash I will end each week with
      I have all this information at my fingertips

Cash management is essential to your present and long-term success. You must always know exactly how much cash you have available. Remember - Cash is King.


Each of my employees knows
      What he/she is expected to do
      The results expected
      His/Her authority and responsibilities
      How his/her performance affects other employees and customers
      How other employees and customers affect his/her performance
      How well he/she is doing

Employee performance is critical to your success. Each employee must always know what is expected and actual performance levels.


I know my best clients/customers
      How much business they do with me
      My profit margins on this business
      Each of the key players at each client/customer
      How each is doing in the marketplace
      My customer base is diversified so that I am not helplessly dependent on any one customer
      I have an on-going program to reach out for new customers

Customer relationships are vital. You must nurture them to ensure your customers remain loyal. At the same time you must not allow yourself to be overdependent on any one.


I know I have made the best decisions for my company because:
      I have good business models and other decision support tools
      I use these tools regularly and on an on-going basis

Models and other decision support tools make it easier for you to make good decisions every time.


I know I am maximizing profits on each bid/order because:
      I know my cost structure intimately
      My cost business model tells me when to walk away from a bid/order

Knowing when not to pursue an apparent opportunity can help you conserve money and effort by avoiding fruitless effort.


I can make the best of unexpected problems or opportunities because my support structure:
      Ensures careful analysis of situational benefits/drawbacks
      Gives me timely and actionable information I can use immediately

Streamlining your business processes enables you to make the best of unexpected opportunities. It also tells you of "low-hanging fruit" you might have otherwise missed.


I know my employees are as productive as possible because:
      I have streamlined my business process to be as effective and efficient as possible
      My business process minimizes / eliminates drudgery and wasted effort

Productive employees are your most valuable resource. Identify, retain, and treasure them.


I can take off for a day or two at short notice without worrying because:
      My business processes are designed to handle most routine matters
      My staff knows how to handle most emergency matters

In general, your company valuation is lower if you are essential for all everyday operations


When things are not as I want them to be
      I know what I need to to to turn things around

This is sometimes easier said than done


Just a little more information to ensure you get the most out of the review let us talk about your plans for the future.
I would like to-:
      Have more free time for my self
      Retire in a few years
      Sell this business to finance my retirement
      Improve value of business so that I could sell it
      Sell this business and invest in another
      Acquire complementary businesses
      Turn over the company to my son/daughter (or other relative)
      My son/daughter/relative needs help in taking over the company


A final few facts about yourself
      I am an innovative and wide-ranging thinker
      I am open to new ideas and ways of doing things to help my business
      I can accept honest critcism
      I can make quick decisions and am usually correct