We’re all manufacturing something.
Your process and procedures are your machine:
In manufacturing, it’s heavy machinery that produces a product. In a service business, you don’t have plants and heavy equipment. But your process, procedures and tools are the machine behind your business. They are the machine that ultimately produces your product. And like any modern process and procedure, your machine requires technology in one way or another.
Old technology will slow any machine down:
When manufacturing facilities become old and outdated, new machinery and capital improvements are invested to keep product flowing through the line. When your technology is old or outdated, it can slow down your machine and result in your team producing less product. Good technology, designed and built especially for your machine, allows you to produce a higher quality product — and more of it.
How are the gauges on your machine?
Let’s take it a step further. Can your machine give you real-time data on the amount of product created? Or do you have to wait to receive that information? If you have to wait on it, does that prevent you from making decisions on the ‘factory floor?’ Do you hold off on getting supplies you need to keep the machine going? Do you come up short on product because you didn’t know the information you needed in the first place?
Do your operators have better machinery at home?
Not too long ago, technology at home was sparse. It used to be that when one came to work it was where they used the latest technology. In today’s world — thanks to the iPhone, apps, Facebook and other personal IT, individuals are surrounded by cutting-edge technology in their personal lives. Think about it. When was the last time you bought something that didn’t have an app with it?
How does this relate to your business? Ask yourself this: When your machine operator — I mean, employee — comes to your factory, does your machinery seem old? Does it make them question how successful the company is? Or how invested the company is in their performance and success? Does it cause them to bring in their own parts for the machine and swap them out without you knowing? Should they be able to do that? Or worse, are they looking for work in new, modernized factories because operating your outdated machinery is just too difficult?
My machine is just fine and there isn’t a need to invest in it:
As, the old saying goes: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It’s time to challenge this mindset. And change it once and for all. Even if it ain’t broke and your machine is running like a dream, it needs ongoing maintenance and improvements. Without upkeep, that machine can break down or slow you down when you least it expect it. And when you need it the most. And by that time, the investment it will take to salvage your machine may not be worth it.
The new factories down the street have new machines:
Your competitors are running their shiny new machines with the newest parts — and they have different expectations. Fact is, the new competitors in any service industry are coming to market without the burden of old machines and old parts. They are starting with fresh new machinery that provides them with real-time information that allows them to produce more and at a faster rate. Further, the analytics their machine is providing enables them to make smarter decisions on everything from hiring to marketing — ultimately allowing them to do more with less and go further with less margin of error.
It can be difficult to have someone else work on our machine:
While we all know our own factories the best, it can sometimes be difficult to admit that work needs to be done on our machine and we don’t know all the parts inside our own machine or how to fix them. Sometimes, in order to push that machine to unprecedented heights, you need to bring in someone who is a specialist. Someone who understand all of the specific details and idiosyncrasies of your machine and has the perfectly designed parts that are fit your machine like a glove.
Fuse – WE ARE THE MACHINISTS!
This is where we come in. Fuse can give your machines the real-time gauges they need (FuseDash). We can analyze your processes and procedures and recommend the right technology that will allow your machine to produce more and better product. (Fuse’s VCIO Consulting) Fuse can even make custom parts for your machine (Custom Web Applications). In business, information and analytics is power. Power that allows you to best your competition, keep your staff happy and wow your clients.
