Tag Archives: Utilize

How Do You Improve Resource Allocation? Three Suggestions

Situation: A company is so busy with ongoing projects that they are unable to allocate resources to major infrastructure development projects. The CEO wants to know what the company can do to make sure that these projects get the attention that they deserve. How do you improve resource allocation?

Advice from the CEOs:

  • Most of the time, and in most companies, some slack resources exist for at least part of a day. While it may not be the most efficient solution, one CEO divides 2nd tier projects into chunks and assigns work to individuals who have time.
  • Consider hiring an outside contractor who is hired exclusively to work on infrastructure projects.
  • Design a long-term solution:
    • Look at actual downtime over the course of an extended period.
    • Review the opportunities, prioritize them with the most important having the highest priority, and sequence them.
    • As resources have free time, assign them to work on the top priority project available at that time. When this project is completed, queue up the next highest priority project for work.
    • Review the opportunity list on a regular basis and reprioritize based on current conditions.
  • Key Take-Aways from this Discussion
    • Be patient; let it happen.
    • Space and resources exist. Establish a process to focus on opportunities one at a time.

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How Do You Fuel Early Stage Growth? Five Suggestions

Situation: An early stage company has assembled an impressive team and has a solid service offering. The immediate challenge is bringing in clients to fuel growth. The team has the capacity but needs some creative ideas on where they should focus their efforts. How do you fuel early stage growth?

Advice from the CEOs:

  • Fully utilize the team’s talents. Team members with established expertise can offer clinics featuring the company’s service offering at local colleges, business organizations and other venues to target audiences. Think about business organizations with members who would benefit from the company’s services. Also reach out to venture capitalists and the entrepreneurial market.
  • Develop a strong value proposition:
    • Go-to Organization
    • Eyeballs on the market
    • Links to highly qualified resources
    • Demonstrated expertise in your space
    • Claims tied to the top priorities of target clients
  • For start-up and entrepreneur client targets:
    • Offer a packaged set of services for a fixed fee. Be open to creative payment options to fit the financial needs of entrepreneurs.
    • Start developing a full suite of services. Start by assessing the need and developing a target list of early clients. VC portfolio companies can be a great target.
  • Build a good web-based communications interface for client use. Think of what is needed to create an attractive menu and let this drive service development.
  • Develop a separate brand for ancillary services that will complement the current offering, but which is outside of the current offering. Look at markets which would benefit from the service, including medical and nursing providers.

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