Small businesses can often be all-consuming, requiring as much attention as larger enterprises, if not more. That’s why effective small business leaders are always searching for time-saving tactics. At LYNCA MEATS, we have worked with both small and large businesses alike, and we have identified a few guaranteed ways that will not only save you time, but also yield significant benefits to your business.
Running a food service business is a demanding task, requiring unwavering commitment, relentless hard work, and, above all, time – a resource often in short supply for most business owners. Juggling never-ending to-do lists and mounting workloads, it’s no wonder many SME owners often find themselves with insufficient time.
However, for business owners seeking ways to optimise their time and maintain a healthy work-life balance, there’s a few easy-to-implement strategies that can help streamline mundane and time-consuming tasks. At LYNCA MEATS, we have dealt with a wide array of businesses in the food service industry, both small and large, and whether you aspire to reduce your work hours or simply enhance efficiency, we have noticed that the following time-saving tips and strategies will help you reclaim valuable time:
- Find a good supplier
If you are working in the food service industry, finding good, reliable suppliers, such as LYNCA MEATS for example, is crucial for several important reasons, including providing consistent quality, compliance to food safety regulations, reliability and timeliness, cost-effective pricing, versatile product offerings, product customisation, as well as good customer service and support. Building a strong relationship with a reputable supplier can lead to long-term partnerships, providing stability and reliability for your business. A loyal supplier will understand your business’ unique needs and may even offer personalised services to support your growth.
- Explore software solutions
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to free up time is by exploring software solutions. Many business owners have already embraced software to automate operations, and the advancements in the industry offer ever evolving options. Various software integrations can streamline processes, such as integrating a web-based POS system with marketing and loyalty software. Adopting digital record-keeping systems can also be really beneficial – they allow you to easily access and back-up important documents, ensuring they are readily available when needed. Furthermore, digital records can offer valuable insights through reports and can be crucial in legal situations. Automating the visitor management process is another good example of how software can effectively help save you time and streamline business processes.
- Outsourcing is key
Outsourcing bottleneck-causing tasks to more qualified individuals or agencies can save a lot of time and prevent delays and frustrations for your staff. Some tasks like inventory management, accounting, IT services, payroll processing, or marketing might be better suited for specialised external help. Outsourcing gives small businesses access to a pool of skilled professionals who specialise in specific niche areas. They can provide a higher level of expertise and efficiency compared to trying to handle everything in-house. Outsourcing also provides scalability and flexibility, especially during periods of fluctuating demand. Businesses can easily adjust the level of outsourcing based on their needs, without the commitment of hiring or laying off employees.
- Survival of the fittest
It is essential to evaluate problematic aspects of your business, such as troublesome suppliers or underperforming product offerings. Culling underachieving relationships in business that are not servicing you is beneficial as it allows you to focus on more productive and beneficial partnerships, leading to improved efficiency and growth.
Rationalising product offerings is also exceptionally important – it involves assessing individual product stock keeping units (SKUs) to determine if they should be discontinued due to declining sales and profitability. By monitoring SKU performance over time, companies can make informed decisions about whether to keep selling a particular SKU. Implementing SKU rationalisation reduces costs, streamlines inventory processes, and enhances profit margins as businesses improve and update their product catalogue. Determining which SKUs to discontinue and when, offers various benefits, including optimised storage costs, reduced inventory shrinkage, less dead stock, improved inventory records, and less capital tied up in inventory.
- Go solar
Loadshedding is a big stress for all businesses, but especially those operating within the food service industry, where your stock can be destroyed without refrigeration. By investing in a solar solution, you will not only save time and money over the long run, but you will also considerably reduce the stress of doing business. South Africa receives a high amount of sunlight throughout the year, making it an ideal location for harnessing solar energy. Installing solar power will substantially reduce your electricity bills, and it will save you a fortune on generator diesel costs. It also makes you less vulnerable to the ever fluctuating electricity prices and grid disruptions. The South African government offers various incentives and rebates to promote solar energy adoption. These incentives can offset some of the initial installation costs, making it more financially feasible for small businesses. Lastly, embracing solar energy showcases a small business’s commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability. This can improve the company’s public image and attract environmentally conscious customers.
