Cc certainty nov2014

Certainty

November 2014 Monthly Newsletter

PRESENTED BY: CONSULTING CONNOISSEURS, OFFICE - 4, SAI BABA PLAZA, SECTOR - 15, AIROLI, NAVI MUMBAI, INDIA 400 708, WWW.CONSULTINGCONNOISSEURS.COM, INFO@CONSULTINGCONNOISSEURS.COM

IN THIS EDITION The New Business Environment 1 Upcoming Development Initiatives 3 Simplified Strategies for SMEs 3 Current Engagements 4 Upcoming Release 4

The New Business Environment: Promises Galore!

The current business environment is in a state of flux. There are multiple changes occuring; especially in the new paradigm called good governance. This has multiple fall-outs for businesses.

Three Key Differences

jumping signals, after the violation takes place. This again, is different from modern governance. In the neo-governance model, the traffic is not allowed to enter the state of ‘violation’. It is, therefore, preventive in orientation. One of the best ways to do this is through Past

Future

Growth

To begin with, such a new paradigm allows businesses to focus on their inCorrective Preventive Governance ternal efficiencies rather than the ‘inefficiencies of the government’. For inPunitive Seamless Corruption stance, think of a road with un-regulated traffic. If there are no punitive measures Cost Lower to discipline the traffic, it would lead to Inflation Explosive!

Burden total chaos very soon. With a punitive mechanism in place, it is like a traffic po- the appropriate leveraging of technolliceman slapping fines to people who are ogy. With the new impetus to using

technology for the growth of the country, the new government has opened many opportunities for interfacing effectively with businesses.

With the proposition to abolish the ‘inspector raj’, the current government is indeed looking at ways and means to ensure effective disabling of corruption.

The past models of governance were based on an archaic framework of rules and regulations. What is worse is that these rules and regulations have been compromised at various levels and have only fuelled corruption. For instance, a street hawker competes with a regular retailer. His advantage: No rent, no governmental taxes. His risk: Bad weather. His greatest weapon: A sys-

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tem that is amenable to corrupt practices. Such an environment doesn’t give a level playing ground for the regular retailer. To make matters worse, the apex court also ‘quasi-legitimized’ the street hawker’s situation on the basis of their ‘need’ to earn their livelihood. Though this is quite the extreme example, the hidden cost of ‘regulation’ has, therefore, been a major concern for most businesses. This is likely to change in the next few months.

to growth. In any case, one needs to move to the appropriate quadrants on the right to avoid the risk of business losses and even potential closure.

Efficiency Improvement The first step for any company is to ensure that adequate efficiency is assimilated in their processes. Though this might seem very traditional at first, there actually are new generations of tools that are used in this process.

The Consulting Connoisseurs Modeling and Simulation Framework is one such framework that helps align these requirements with appropriate control.

Inflation control has probably been the best win for the present government.

Over the past few weeks, the markets have soared while the food inflation, that was worrisome has been brought down. Real estate markets too have plateaued and are likely to come down Our framework is extremely powerful to more realistic and affordable levels. as it is: This would, possibly, mark the best transition for the industry as it requires Unique: funds from within the country.

What Companies Should Do?

Strategic Environmental Factors

In this scenario, companies need to look into two aspects: (a) A strategy in place to harness from the changes in the governance model and (b) Implementing the right technology to realize their strategies.

Stable Survival Mode

Unstable Blind Gamble!

In-Efficient

Expansion Mode Profit Maximization Mode Efficient

Operational Processes

Both these are critical areas that aren’t trivially solveable.

As one can see in the figure, there are four potential scenarios that companies need to focus on. These scenarios are based on two fundamental parameters: (a) The Stability of Environmental Factors (viz. Economy, Governance, Business Climate, etc.) and (b) The Maturity of Operational Processes. Four different strategies exist and companies need to strive to either be more agile in this environment, thereby making the operations more profitable or, transition

Our framework has powerful tools that are useful for both services as well as manufacturing industries. The methods are based on proven global methods for productivity improvement.

Detailed: The methodology is far more detailed using the next generation modeling tools that are established in Europe and the US. The representation is highly graphic and colourful making a strong case for layering additional details making the process highly transparent.

Ultra-Quick: The derivation of the process map is extremely quick, and accelerates by a factor of 10 over traditional methods (on an average 40 000 TMUs in one session against 250 TMUs in the conventional approach).

Easy to Understand: The representation and the model is highly intuitive and easy to understand for the user.

Easy to Implement: The processes are easy to implement and this further improves

the RoI of the transformation costs for the clients.

Ensures a Smooth Transition: The methodology guarantees a smooth transition that is seamless and allows the business owner to focus on his regular activities.

Cost Effective: The methodology is highly cost effective.

Get your Business Efficiency Improvement Package Today!

Call Dr. Pallavi @+91 - 22 - 2779 8950 to Book your Appointment Today

This methodology has been used in several assignments across companies. A simple schematic on the detailing philosophy is shown in the figure below.

Input Data

Agent

Decision Question Criteria

Control

This schematic explains the various aspects involved in the efficiency cycle as (a)those involving inputs and input sources, (b)the criteria that is used, (c)the agent that does the work and (d)the control mechanism involved.

Our unique methodology gives these details in the same map.

IT Strategy The next important aspect is the leverage of technology. Today, the rules of technology strategy are changing.

About a decade ago, the cardinal question of technology was ‘Whether to have an IT Strategy or Not’. Today the question is not about should one use IT, rather it is about How to Factor Technology into Strategy.

With the shrinking business cycles, companies need to ensure the use of

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to see how this occurs in reality. To ensure an appropriate RoI, there needs to be a clear understanding of how the use of a specific system would drive the RoI. Unfortunately, most organizations learn this the hard way and the system starts driving the RoI only after a few years of implementation.

three fundamental criteria for technology: Appropriateness: In most organizations, the ownerstakeholder believes that an IT system would help one address the burning issues. However, many times, the solution chosen is inadequate and inappropriate for the business issues involved. Ultimately, what initially looked like a ‘one-click-solution’, now starts looking like an unrealistic endeavor or an impossibility. This risk, therefore, calls for a rigorous method of assessing the needs of the business and mapping the right solution to the business.

Professional Implementation and Change Management: Lastly, one of the most important criteria is that of professional implementation and change management. Experience is, oftentimes, over-rated in this context.

It is analogous to saying that: ‘I prefer someone who has done it many times (although incorrectly) to someone who knows how it is to be done correctly’.

In a people dependent business, nothing could be more disastrous.

RoI: While it is commonly understood and agreed that visibility leads to an improved RoI, it is important

Many technological implementation partners have serious problems in their methodologies, skill levels and processes that actually precipitate at the client’s end as ‘shoddy’ jobs! This needs to be avoided in any case.

All these parameters require consulting support for better management and control. Our Technology Consulting wing provides solutions in these critical areas.

We help companies identify the appropriate solutions, ensure efficacy and a good RoI and assist the professional implementation and transformation by managing the contractor for the client.

Get your Technology Implementation Package Today!

Call Rekha @+91 - 22 - 2779 8950 to Book your Appointment Today

Our Upcoming Development Programs Workshop on Business Planning for SMEs Venue: Ramada, MBP, Mahape, Navi Mumbai Date: 19 December 2014 Registration: INR 11 000 pp Discounts for Bulk Registrations Please contact Prajakta at info@consultingconnoisseurs.com for more details.

Other Programs Digital Marketing: De-mystified Agile Supply Chain Management HR Outsourcing: Improving Efficacy

Get the complete list of programs and their details from Prajakta @+91 - 22 - 2779 8950

Simplified Strategies for SMEs The changing market trends have brought in cost-effective solutions for SMEs. Every business has immense potential and the productivity of key resources is often times the key to success.

Improper utilization of any resource, be it the stakeholder or an employee or any productive asset would only mean a hidden cost or a loss for the business.

This is ‘symptomatically’ identified us-

ing three categories of problems. Each of these cover different elements of the organization and the information domain. As a business owner, one needs to understand the exact characterization of the problem area. This assists the design and fixing of the solution for the same.

Fortunately, these issues are common and do have many ways of quickly fixing them. Let us look at them in greater

detail.

Data Issues As a business owner, are you:

Spending too much time ‘mining’ data for your decisions?

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Often needing to define your data needs for each situation?

Seeing significant duplication of effort within your company?

Facing staffing issues where you need to coordinate for data?

If yes, then your organization is probably burdened with data issues. Typically, such organizations have basic visibility issues. Hence, they do not have the exact numbers required to accurately and quantitatively manage the business - almost everything relies on the owner’s gut feeling!

Process and Management System Issues The second type of issues are characterized by the following questions: Are you engaged in a mode of continuously defining/re-defining

processes?

Having issues with process consistency and repeatability?

Required to perform adhoc monitoring and controlling a little too often?

If yes, you might want to re-engineer your processes and management systems and align them to your business needs.

Organizational Structure Issues In some cases, there are huge deficiencies at the structural level. Are you: Often moving from the managerial role to the operational role? seeing too much of focus on the last minute (performance spikes)?

If yes, you might want to optimize the

organizational structure to ensure the best results for your business.

In order to address these issues, we have a cost-effective solution for SMEs. The solution comes in a test-package format. In this format, electronic information from the company is collated

by Consulting Connoisseurs. The information is then used to give a weekly monitor of the management performance of the company. Four meetings are conducted (at the end of each week) with the owner stakeholder at the office of Consulting Connoisseurs.

These meetings help ensure the right strategic direction as well as the interpretation of the data at each company.

To learn more about this solution, please contact our office at info@consultingconnoisseurs.com

The solution is specifically tailored for SMEs that require long-term handholding to ensure a smooth transition.

Current Engagements: Focus on Startup Portfolio Internet Startup

lion). Consulting Connoisseurs is refining the model and approaching the Venture Capitalists on behalf of the client.

Among the many interesting projects We are also soliciting offers from other we are doing, two projects are on interested agencies. startup services for small businesses.

The first model is of an internet-based Educational Startup business in the area of digital marketing and business promotion. The idea has been test marketed for the client and After the successful launch of an eduis now being tuned for venture fund- cational enterprise, this year, Consulting. This is a multi-crore opportunity ing Connoisseurs is looking at Finishwith a seed capital requirement in the ing School requirements that need to range of INR 5 Crores (USD 1 mil- be augmented in the current business

model of the enterprise. The model is tested, and is innovating due to its unique delivery methodology that is based on long-term value. This engagement is running on a tight timeline and is expected to bear results soon.

That apart we have several other ongoing engagements.

We also have long-term engagement offerings that are meant for companies that are looking for a steady handholding and execution support. More information on the same will be shared in the next newsletter.

Upcoming Release: A Book on Advanced Project Management The biggest IP creation of the year is in Project Management has become more the area of Project Management. Our and more challenging today due to the President, Rtn Nikhil S Gurjar, is re- following reasons: leasing a book in the area of Advanced Project Management.

The average cost of projects has increased over the decades

The business cycles have shrunk over the decades Technology has given more options to explore into ‘data’ and make more meaningful decisions

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The project execution methodology has changed from the traditional project method to ‘bundled execution methods’ like BOO, BOOT, etc.

agement gain significance due to the lower levels of expertise in managing projects. This is a serious concern for the industry when it comes to evaluating project management.

The project environment has become more cross-bordered with expanding markets and geographies

Unfortunately, even today, much of the project management literature is prescriptive. The fact that literature is still having significant gaps is proved by the large number of time and cost-overruns in most projects across countries. In other words, they identify and recommend ways of doing things without giving adequate insight into what needs to be done when the project goes wrong!

This book actually looks at such areas.

Given this situation, it is all the more important to ensure project alignment with the strategy, and enable a dynamic management methodology that can look at the challenges before the project manager. Most middle managers are often frustrated with the inability to understand and respond to such changing conditions.

The behavioural aspects of project man-

It is forward-looking, therefore, focuses on how the project manager must use his current position to derive methods that would be

most appropriate to his situation.

It is conceptual and heavily oriented towards application. Therefore, not being prescriptive, restrictive or obsessed with tradition.

It is integrative in approach, therefore, helps the manager understand not just Tier 1, but also Tier 2 and Tier 3 factors.

It breaks the conventional thought process, thereby creating room for insight and innovation simultaneously.

Keep watching this space to learn more about the upcoming release. It is likely to hit the stands in the next few weeks.

We will keep you informed on the same.

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