KPIs Help Keep Companies on Track
After years of experience, owners often know in their gut how their company is doing at any given time. But this vague notion of performance really isn’t enough. As management gurus will tell you, “You can only manage what you measure.”
The best way to take the pulse of your business is by using Key Performance Indicators, or KPIs. Unique to each company, KPIs might include things like average transaction value, customer satisfaction, quality rejection rate, or productivity vs. capacity.
KPIs give you precise measurements of the things that matter most to your business. Armed with these numbers, you can compare performance over time, set goals, and constantly correct course.
Getting started: What can you measure? Consider every area of the company. Each functional area will have its own indicators. Once you start brainstorming, you’re sure to think of many KPIs that would be good to track.
Create a benchmark: To measure improvement or decline, you need a benchmark. Some of these “starter” numbers can be gleaned from the books — sales numbers, for example, are easy to find in the accounting system. Others may require some outreach. For example, an initial customer satisfaction survey will give you a benchmark for future years.
Dig in: Once you start tracking KPIs, the fun begins. Why are the numbers the way they are? What can you do differently to change them? People are often surprised to find that KPIs tell a different story than what they assumed.
Keep in mind that you don’t need to measure everything right away. You may want to start with just a few KPIs and build from there. Even a little bit of measurement will help you manage more effectively.
What are your KPIs? The Business Transition & Family Enterprise Advisory Services team can help identify them. Give your DJB Advisor a call to arrange to get the process started.
About the Author
Paul Stringer
Paul has over 40 years of consulting experience to family business. He specializes in corporate reorganizations and business succession, financial consulting on the purchase or sale of businesses and generational transfers.
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