Are you looking for ways to make your business more efficient? Are you in need of some quick and simple operational improvements that won't take a lot of time to implement? Below, we'll discuss 7 different ways to improve your business operations with just 10 minutes of effort. 

Use Templates to Streamline Processes 

One way to reduce operational time and increase efficiency is to use templates to streamline processes. Templates are especially useful for repetitive tasks such as invoicing, billing, and customer service inquiries. By creating templates for common tasks, employees can quickly access the necessary information and complete the task in less time. Templates also make it easier to train new employees on common tasks since they have a clear guide to follow. 

TIP: Check out Thinkcurity’s Security Guard Onboarding Checklist to streamline your employee onboarding by creating an onboarding process template.  

Automate Repetitive Tasks 

In today's competitive market, businesses are always looking for ways to increase efficiency and streamline operations. One of the most effective methods to do this is to automate repetitive tasks. Automating these tasks can drastically reduce the amount of time it takes to complete them while also reducing errors and improving accuracy. Fortunately, automation can be done in as little as 10 minutes with the right tools. 

One such tool is Zapier, which offers workflow automation capabilities. It provides users with a powerful way to automate routine tasks, such as approving invoices or creating reports. It also ensures that each task is completed correctly and on time, making it easier than ever to keep operations running smoothly. 

By taking just 10 minutes to set up automated workflows, physical security companies can save hours of time and effort every day. This not only helps to improve efficiency but also frees up resources that can then be used on more important projects or activities. Automating repetitive tasks is a proven way to streamline operations and enable businesses to make the most of their time and resources. 

TIP: Need all of your incident reporting, client billing logs, invoices, or other important documents stored in both internal and external (client-facing) locations? Set up a Zapier automation to duplicate new files from one location to the other.  

Establish and Implement Standard Operating Procedures 

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are essential to the success of any organization. They provide guidance on how tasks should be completed, reducing errors and improving efficiency. Establishing and implementing SOPs can take some time and effort, but the benefits are worth it. 

The first step (that can be achieved in 10 minutes or less) in implementing SOPs is to create a template that outlines the desired process. This template should include details about the task, such as who is responsible for completing it and what the expected outcomes are. Once the template is ready, it can be used as a guide for all employees to follow. 

Next, train all employees on the SOPs. This can be done through a combination of in-person training sessions, written documentation, and video tutorials. 

Finally, it’s important to monitor how well employees are following the SOPs and make necessary adjustments if needed. For example, if a task is taking longer than expected to complete, then you may need to adjust the SOPs or provide additional training. 

By establishing and implementing SOPs, organizations can ensure that tasks are completed in an efficient and error-free manner. This ultimately leads to improved performance and productivity, as well as increased customer satisfaction.  

TIP: Download Thinkcurity’s Standard Operating Procedures Template for free to get a head start on creating SOPs! 

Empower Employees with Decision Making Authority 

Empowering employees with decision making authority is an effective way to increase accountability and drive efficiency in any organization. By allowing employees to make decisions on their own, businesses can reduce the need for costly meetings and time-consuming paperwork. Moreover, giving employees the ability to make decisions can help them develop problem-solving skills and create a sense of responsibility. This can lead to improved morale and increased productivity in the workplace.  

Furthermore, empowering employees with decision-making authority can help reduce stress levels, as they can better manage their workloads and take ownership of their responsibilities. By implementing a system that allows employees to make decisions based on factual data and proven technology, businesses can ensure that every decision is made with the best interests of the organization in mind. 

TIP: If you haven’t already, split your officer and guard positions in two: Senior Security Guard, and Security Guard. Senior level security guards can mentor security guards, and they have the ability to make basic decisions related to their teams.  

Reduce Meetings with Clear Objectives and Action Plans 

In today’s fast-paced business environment, reducing the amount of time spent in meetings is essential to maintaining an efficient workflow. To accomplish this, start by setting clear objectives for each meeting and providing an action plan for attendees to follow. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and that tasks are completed in a timely manner. Additionally, consider allowing remote participation so that all team members can stay involved without having to leave their workstations. By taking these simple steps, you can drastically reduce the amount of time spent in meetings while still achieving your goals. 

TIP: Use a software like Supernormal to power up your meetings! This tool is free to use and automatically takes notes and generates action items for you. Make your meeting follow-ups easier by sending all participants the meeting notes and action items to ensure clear understanding of what’s expected from the meeting. 

Measure Efficiency Through Key Performance Indicators 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are an important way to measure the efficiency of your operations. KPIs help you determine if your strategy is working and if you're meeting your goals. They also help you identify areas of improvement, allowing you to make changes that can have a positive impact on your business. Setting up KPIs is not a difficult task and can be done in just 10 minutes. 

Once you have established your KPIs, you need to measure them regularly. This will help you understand how well your operations are performing and what changes need to be made. The most important thing is to make sure that the KPIs you measure are relevant to the goals of your business. You should also take into account any external factors that may affect the performance of your operations, such as economic conditions or new regulations. 

TIP: Measure how long it takes for teams to file incident reports. Measure the length of time of your billing process. Can it be shorter? Measure the performance of your sales team. Are they closing enough security deals? Is your marketing team generating enough qualified leads? 

Adopt a Continuous Improvement Mindset 

Continuous improvement is an effective and powerful methodology that drives significant long-term and sustainable organizational growth. It is based on the principles of Kaizen and operational excellence and encourages teams to focus on creating value, reducing waste, and continuously improving processes. Nonaka suggested that companies use metaphors such as “Kaizen” or “continuous improvement” to create a shared language in the organization. 

To ensure the success of continuous improvement initiatives, it is important to create an environment that promotes success. This includes setting clear goals, providing employees with decision making authority, and empowering teams to take ownership of their roles in the organization. Additionally, it is essential to measure efficiency through key performance indicators and to track progress to ensure that improvements are being made over time. 

TIP: Use the Traction method for goal setting and tracking within your organization. This method will get your entire team involved in the process, from the top to the bottom, and will ensure everyone is working toward common goals.  

No matter the size of the business, operational improvements can be made to reduce expenses, increase efficiency, and improve customer satisfaction. The best part is that these improvements can be done in as little as 10 minutes. By using templates to streamline processes, automating repetitive tasks, prioritizing workload management, establishing and implementing standard operating procedures, empowering employees with decision making authority, reducing meetings with clear objectives and action plans, measuring efficiency through key performance indicators, eliminating unnecessary paperwork, and adopting a continuous improvement mindset, businesses can quickly and easily make operational improvements that will have long lasting benefits.