Business Planning - Platforming Systems for Growth Part I

Business Planning – Platforming Systems for Growth Part I

Posted 7 Aug 2009

What is Business Platforming and why does it affect Business Systems?

One of the most common queries regards when we start to talk with clients about what platform their business has and how they manage the business systems to get the most out of that platform.

All too often there is a blank look and I have found the best explanation comes in a visual form.

All businesses have a platform which operates holding the business together. This governs the amount of clients and work a business can handle and all too often is unstructured and not recorded. The platform is the people, the equipment, the marketing and all the things that hold a business together. This platform can only handle so much work before it breaks, bends or just gives up. Depending on where the strains are this can be in your equipment, your people or other aspects of your business.

The way you operate currently will define a turnover platform. i.e. without changing any thing you are doing at the moment, your business can only handle a certain amount of customers and work flow. This eventually will put a ceiling on your income before it starts to decrease (by not changing and keeping up with cultural and economic changes)

This image best describes the above comment.

Platforming systems 1

This is the current situation and all too often the current expenses looks like the following image. Keeping up with the business growth and turnover and taking up 80% or more of the current platform.

Platforming systems 2

Graph 2

These expenses have their own platform. i.e. there is a certain amount of work that can be put through that same platform with little or no increase in the corresponding expenses. e.g. ADSL monthly costs remain the same until you use your quota for the month. So that expense for the time being is fixed. (in true accounting and insurance terms it is viable)

Part II will go into systemizing this platform to maximize your resources.

John B. – Amplio Business Solutions

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