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Business processes are key to the management and success of an organisation. Companies do not become prosperous by accident; to reach their strategic and operational goals organisations need a structured framework of business activities. This framework consists of business processes. Business processes are usually derived from standards governing the industry in which the company operates.

Importance of Standards Within Business Processes

Industry standards allow businesses to generate products or conduct services to a consistent level of quality. Organisations who use the industry standards to generate their business processes are better able to provide their customers with an expected level of value. Business process managers customise business processes to fit the company’s culture, goals, or particular clients.

Business Process Example #1: The Farmer’s Market

Common business processes occur daily. For example, purchasing produce from a local farmer’s market constitutes a transactional business process. The steps of a business process relating to the produce purchase may include the following:

1. The farmer/vendor offers produce for sale in a central location.
2. The customer browses the produce selection for desired goods.
3. The customer requests information about the growing location and cultivation methods of the farmer.
4. The farmer/vendor shares information with the customer that she uses organic farming techniques.
5. The customer selects desired produce.
6. The customer presents farmer/vendor with appropriate method of payment.
7. The farmer/vendor receives payment.
8. The customer leaves farmers market with produce and receipt of purchase.

Information technology has paved the way for many improvements to business processes across a variety of industries. A business process improvement to the example above could include self check out stands equipped to give customers relevant information about the produce upon scanning the product.

Business Process Example #2: Office Document Management

Another example of a business process that office professionals face almost daily is one of document management and disposal. Depending on the industry, employees must follow procedures for disposing of sensitive documents as well as innocuous office paper waste. Here is an example of a simple document management procedure.

1. Employee receives paper copy of a company document.
2. Employee reviews document.
3. Employee scans document using company approved electronic media and methods.
4. Employee throws paper document away.

If environmental best practices were introduced within the work environment, the last step in the procedure would likely change. In that case, the employee would place the paper document into a recycling bin. Companies have partnered with document disposal organisations across the country to reclaim paper waste for reuse; recycled paper has become the main raw material for paper product manufacturers and discounts are often passed on to environmentally responsible companies.

Knowing and abiding by governing standards across all industries enable organisations to realise cost savings, reduce waste, and achieve customer satisfaction goals. An organisation may take satisfaction in knowing that it has added value to its customers or helped them to reduce wasteful spending. The consultants at www.charter4.com help companies understand and implement the standards governing their industry to achieve business objectives.

For more information – Contact us or email info@charter4.com