Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Jigsaw Concepts Team. Enjoy your festive season with your loved ones and rest up for a fun and prosperous 2013 year!

As a management consultant I use these skills to assist my clients, but I have come to the realisation that today, people just don’t have the time to find the data, import the data,  correct pivot tables/graphs and prepare report presentations. Excel analysis ...]]> Throughout my management career I have preached to all those who would listen, ‘You can’t manage what you can’t measure’. This philosophy has seen me develop a keen appreciation of (and some would say an unhealthy dependence on) Excel as a management and reporting tool. My dependence was born through necessity as opposed to any predisposition to developing spreadsheets and statistics. I just needed to understand and visualise what was going on in my business so I could develop and improve the outcomes for everyone concerned-me included.

As a management consultant I use these skills to assist my clients, but I have come to the realisation that today, people just don’t have the time to find the data, import the data,  correct pivot tables/graphs and prepare report presentations. Excel analysis is a great tool to develop reporting models, but it’s just not sustainable in today’s typical business model.

Business Intelligence engines have tried to address this issue with checkered success. The problem with these packages again is the complexity and time required to maintain and support the interfaces. The initial drive to develop these tools is often lost in the realisation that it takes time, resources and lots of money to maintain and support these amazing but complex solutions. In larger corporations, there are whole departments to manage these tools. In the average business however, this overhead is just not sustainable and so, the principles of ‘gut feel’ and ‘tradition’ take over. We all want to improve, but need the knowledge and strategies to implement new directions to achieve change.

So what’s the answer? Well it’s simple really, the answers are all the above, in an alternative package, managed and supported on your behalf. You’re then free to get on with business and not build IT empires to distract time and resources from your core enterprise.

These service can be developed, deployed and supported remotely, at a fraction of the price of conventional application solutions. We developed the Jigsaw Managed Services solution for just this purpose. The background to this product is simple and delivers all that’s necessary in your business to make a difference by keeping it simple.

The Key Steps

Step 1- We help you discover the value metrics in your business. These are the KPI’s that are adding or destroying value in your business.

Step 2- We develop analytical models based on your own systems data. This is like building a spreadsheet to process your data-often from a variety of systems

Step 3- We develop a presentation layer of Graphical and Tabular elements (with powerful and interactive filtering elements) which mean something to your managers and staff, reflecting the value metrics in your business.

Step 4- We make the presentation layer available to your teams to comment on and discuss in dedicated console forums. We can also provide critique and management support to support your teams interpretation and strategies based on the information provided.

Step 5- We update the data constantly ( nightly if your systems permit) to ensure your value metrics and presentation environment remain current.

So don’t throw away the opportunity to make a real difference in your business based on outdated measurement and reporting ideals. Contact Us to discuss your requirements in a new light where ‘We manage the technology, You manage the outcomes’.

Visit www.JigsawManagedServices.com for more information and video presentations.

Australian owned Jigsaw Concepts specialises in Business Management and Process Improvement, helping clients to plan for business growth and achieve their financial goals.

Jigsaw Concepts Director Scott Perkins says “one of the reasons for the company’s success has been its partnership with International software developer simPRO”, which provides powerful tools for simplifying business processes and workforce integration.

“simPRO business solutions allow our customers to achieve their goals reliably and effectively now and into the future,” Scott said.

Blake Systems is one of a growing number of Jigsaw clients to benefit from the simPRO product suite. Blake Systems is a multi-disciplined integration company, specialising in electronic security, data, and communications in the public and private sectors.

“Blake Systems is experiencing significant growth, and ...]]> Article posted on the simPRO blog:

Australian owned Jigsaw Concepts specialises in Business Management and Process Improvement, helping clients to plan for business growth and achieve their financial goals.

Jigsaw Concepts Director Scott Perkins says “one of the reasons for the company’s success has been its partnership with International software developer simPRO”, which provides powerful tools for simplifying business processes and workforce integration.

“simPRO business solutions allow our customers to achieve their goals reliably and effectively now and into the future,” Scott said.

Blake Systems is one of a growing number of Jigsaw clients to benefit from the simPRO product suite. Blake Systems is a multi-disciplined integration company, specialising in electronic security, data, and communications in the public and private sectors.

“Blake Systems is experiencing significant growth, and sought the services of Jigsaw Concepts and simPRO to help improve their business structure, processes and financial returns,” Scott said.

“We worked closely with Blake System’s management and staff to develop a single operational management system based on simPRO. Sales, installation and service functions were re-engineered to maximise the opportunities made available by simPRO, with the end result being increased productivity, reduced waste  and improved financial returns.

“Blake Systems is now ideally positioned to capitalise on and manage the growing demand for our services,” says Managing Director Anthony Brown.  “We continue to seek improvements within our business and look to Jigsaw Concepts and simPRO for continued innovation and improvement.”

If you need support to harness your business potential contact Jigsaw Concepts today at info@jigsawconcepts.com.au

We hope you enjoy your special Christmas message. Press play…

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To view the outtakes in the making of this Christmas Message Video click here.

Be warned!! There is some colourful language in parts so you probably shouldn’t watch it.

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Don’t forget to leave us a comment below.

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The emotional cost

We hear much in the media about the emotional volatility of markets and how perception can crush business equity.  Just as volatile are the human assets within an organisation which depreciate at an alarming rate through lack of investment.

The direct cost is employee performance. Many employees are either burnt out or demotivated due to their increased workloads. The inability or unwillingness of employers to increase ...]]> There is no question the GFC had a significant impact on staff morale for business in Australia. Recent employee surveys point to a significant disengagement with their employer and their conduct during the GFC event. As businesses move beyond the GFC, this disengagement is proving a significant ‘drag factor’ to business renewal and growth in the face of increasing demand.

The emotional cost

We hear much in the media about the emotional volatility of markets and how perception can crush business equity.  Just as volatile are the human assets within an organisation which depreciate at an alarming rate through lack of investment.

The direct cost is employee performance. Many employees are either burnt out or demotivated due to their increased workloads. The inability or unwillingness of employers to increase staffing numbers is at crisis point in many industry sectors, especially amongst middle management sales professionals.

The indirect cost should be far more concerning to businesses who wish to rise from the ashes of the GFC. Employees, particularly Sales staff, are the life blood of any organisation and through whom, businesses are perceived by customers and the market generally. Businesses must engage with their staff and customers to promote a positive image of their organisation’s Vision for the future.

For many employees, the GFC was the most significant event in their employment history. The personal consequences (increasing mortgage payments and credit card debt) can be a dominant behavioural driver in the absence of any positive messages from their employer. Failure to invest in the emotional assets of your organisation will result in an increasing dysfunctional and de-motivated workforce with spiraling productivity.

Vision is the Key

Creating a powerful and positive image of your organisation is the key to breaking this cycle. Providing clarity for the future to your staff can be the turning point for many businesses and their employee approval.

‘Empowered employees, who are positively engaged with your business, are powerful ambassadors, and one of your most valuable assets.’

These individuals will create the ‘buzz’ or positive focus which drives performance, productivity and results.

Call and they will come

There is no question the labour market is tight. Shortages in experienced Sales, Management, and Engineering personnel are an alarming reality for many HR professionals. As demand increases, applicants are becoming increasingly focused on the prospective employer’s investment strategies for their human assets (eg. training and personal development).

Using the ‘buzz’ to promote your organisation to applicants is a powerful and proven strategy. Indeed, I have worked with some individuals over the past 20 years who have followed me to three different organisations. My fellow Director, Dan Sheehan was an apprentice with me in 1998 and subsequently worked with me in three different businesses before launching Jigsaw Concepts in 2005 and securing my services in 2010.

Your staff are the best recruiters. They will get the right person, with the right expertise, and generally at the right price. Encourage this behaviour in your oragnisation and reward staff who support your recruitment efforts. If they know you’re trying, and want to help, they will, with incredible success.

If you’re not getting the most from your teams, contact Jigsaw Concepts to get the ‘buzz’ back in your business.

I have worked for years without a Budget or Business Plan. Is it really worth the effort to throw darts at a piece of paper and write a document which is just based on guesswork?

I have always worked with a Budget and Business Plan and can’t really imagine working without one. That’s not to say without these documents you’ll fail. But think of it like driving to a destination. You can go without a map and follow the same route you always have.

Or, with an up to date map (Budget/Business Plan), you can dodge road works and congestion (changes in the market) by changing course (altering your Business/Sales Plan) to get to the destination first-ahead of the competition.

The Budgets and Business ...]]> Hi Guys,

I have worked for years without a Budget or Business Plan. Is it really worth the effort to throw darts at a piece of paper and write a document which is just based on guesswork?

I have always worked with a Budget and Business Plan and can’t really imagine working without one. That’s not to say without these documents you’ll fail. But think of it like driving to a destination. You can go without a map and follow the same route you always have.

Or, with an up to date map (Budget/Business Plan), you can dodge road works and congestion (changes in the market) by changing course (altering your Business/Sales Plan) to get to the destination first-ahead of the competition.

The Budgets and Business Plan communicate to everyone involved in the business what the expectations are for all concerned.

Your Budget should clearly communicate the financial recipe for your business success. It should be a balance of your historical results and your expectations for the future. Be careful not to overstretch your budget. You should challenge your business and staff, as this ensures growth and commitment. Indeed, having your staff involved in the budget process will promote ‘buy-in’ and understanding of expectations. However, unrealistic or unqualified targets will withdraw staff ‘buy-in’ causing anxiety and stress under the weight of perceived  or speculative failure.

With your Budget agreed, the method of delivering these outcomes is contained within the Business Plan. As with the Budget, the Business Plan should be drafted using a consultative approach with key staff and stakeholders. It is important to canvas new ideas and strategies from your team. These inputs will be vital to navigating the expected business landscape to deliver the Budget. Unlike the Budget (which can be drafted using simple spreadsheets for the most part), the Business Plan is a complex and weighty document. Having said this, you will get far more out of the development process than you put in. Documenting your Business Plan can in itself be a journey of discovery defining your real business position in contrast to your perception.

Below is an outline that I have developed and used successfully over the years and more recently with new clients. With such a dynamic commercial environment today, I cannot stress how important the completion of this document is. Spend the time and you will get the results.

Just one last thing. Both the Budget and Business Plan are never cast in stone. They should be reviewed against initial expectations at least quarterly.  Achieving your Business goals is rarely by accident or good fortune. It comes from monitoring your performance and making the subtle changes required to stay on track.

Sample Business Plan outline

1       Business Snapshot

1.1         Purpose of this business review

1.2         Business structure

1.3         Business activity

1.4         Products and services

1.5         Points of differentiation

1.6         The Product, Market, and Customer Segments

1.7         Mission Statement

2       Overview

2.1        Current position

2.2        What’s changed from the current situation

2.3         Structure and Resources

2.3.1          Organisational structure

2.3.2          Key people

2.3.3          Key advisors

3       Marketing Plan

3.1        Target market

3.2         Market Access Plan

3.3         Marketing and promotion

3.3.1          Planned activities

3.4         Customer Strategy

3.4.1          Customer management

3.4.2          Customer acquisition

4       Business Environment

4.1         The industry

4.2         SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis

4.2.1          Impact of STRENGHTS on Opportunities and Threats

4.2.2          Impact of WEAKNESSES on Opportunities and Threats

5       Future Business Goals and Objectives

5.1         Business and Personal Goals

5.1.1          Business goals this year

5.1.2          5-year plan

5.2         Action Plans

5.2.1          Top 3 in 3 months

5.2.2          Top 3 in 6 months

5.2.3          Top 3 in 9 months

I would like to use testimonials on our ———–.com website, do you recommend them and if so, what is the best way to use a testimonial?

Hi, yes we definitely recommend the use of testimonials for any business. A testimonial is a statement in support of a particular truth, fact or claim as it relates to your products or services, it can also be as simple as a personal recommendation.

There are three main types of testimonials:

Here’s a few tips on getting effective testimonials: