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Explanation of the initial steps in getting a business organized. Also refer to business improvement, mission, vision, concept, purpose, standards, ISO 9000, re-engineering, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions

Organizing Your Business

by Ron Kurtus (revised 14 February 2000)

A first step in improving your business is to make sure it is well organized. It is surprising how many businesses have been careless about this step. Some such companies may be mildly successful, but they could be even more profitable if they paid attention to the basics of organization.

Questions you may have about this are:

• How do you get started organizing your business?
• What methods can be used?
• What are the ultimate benefits of doing this?

This lesson will introduce the elementary factors in organizing a business. The material applies to both small businesses, as well as to large corporations. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.

Starting point

Whether you are starting a new company or improving an existing one, it is important to have a business mission, concept, and vision.

You need to define the purpose or mission of your business. Much of this has to do with the motivations of the leadership. Then you must have a business concept, model, or terrific idea of some product or service that will sell. Finally, in order to improve, you must have a vision or goal of where you want to end up.

Details of these factors are explained in the next lesson Mission, Concept and Vision.

Organization methods

Once you have established or re-defined the groundwork for your business, you can use various methods and standards to improve the operation and organization of your business.

ISO 9000 standards

A very good way to organize the way your business operates is by following the ISO 9000 standards. You do not necessarily have to become certified in ISO 9000, but you can still use the standards as a guide in how to effectively operate your business.

(Details are explained in later lessons in: Organize Your Business with ISO 9000.)

Re-engineering

Re-engineering has been a management fad in recent years. Unfortunately, it has been misapplied and used as a way to eliminate workers. A business or company that has been in existence for a while usually has an operation structure in place. It may be necessary to drastically alter that structure and re-organize and become more effective.

Benefits

Organizing is a form of planning. It has been shown that setting a good structure can make any organization more effective and efficient.

Good organization results in reducing losses due to duplicate work or unclear objectives. All personnel do better work, because they know what they should be doing and what their place is in the scheme of things.

A well-run company is in a stronger position in the competitive marketplace. Not only are profits higher, but repeat business is enhanced.

Summary

Setting your mission, core competencies, and vision is a first step to organizing your business for improvement. Following ISO 9000 sets your business in the correct direction. Finally, re-engineering or re-organizing may be necessary to start your business in becoming a champion in its field. The benefits are increased profits and customers.

Answers to Readers' Questions

A complex organization needs to be organized

Resources

The following are resources on this subject.

Websites

ISO 9000

Total Quality Management (TQM)

eCommerce

Business Resources

Books

Top-rated books on Business

Miscellaneous

Mini-quiz to check your understanding

1. What is a starting point for being organized?

2. What do the ISO 9000 standards have to do with organizing a business?

3. What is a major benefit in becoming well-organized?

If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Business. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.

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Organizing Your Business