The KPI (Key Performance Indicator) is defined as a factor which is critical to the success of our business. As such it should be measured regularly by collecting and analysing reliable internal and external data. This data allows the company to evaluate its performance and subsequently benchmark it against the rest of the industry. Additionally, it makes our achievements directly comparable to those of our competitors.

 

The process of identifying and selecting the appropriate KPI’s for our business is paramount as this is the stage when a formal system for measuring our performance is established. The company’s commitment to measuring and analysing the collated data can lead to business objectives’ realisation and continual improvement. However, the KPI’s are only a business tool for decision making and at no point can it replace the formal strategic planning of the company. 

 

The benefits seized by such a methodology are presented below:

  • KPI’s can be an initiator for directing and driving our business forward through influencing our business processes. The successful management of our business processes can result into an efficient and profitable company as a whole.
  • KPI’s consist a great tool that supports the company’s vision and goals; two of the major “team binders”. It is generally accepted that integrated teams work more efficiently and produce results in shortest time. Time reductions mean less cost and so greater profitability and predictability of performance. 
  • KPI’s can be a mean for driving improvement through comparison. They can reveal the strengths and the weaknesses of a business and prepare the ground for building a competitive advantage. They reinforce our knowledge for the industry by learning from our competitors.
  • KPI’s could drive innovation. This is why a failure to identify meaningful and measurable KPI’s can put our business in danger as we become short sighted, having limited visibility and finally becoming counter-productive.

 

Our call centre isn’t big, but then again it is very efficient and rarely has dropped or missed calls. Plus we have sufficient measures in place to allow us to call people back as soon as things slack off.

However, yesterday a client called to ask about something (which being a broadcast problem wasn’t our problem and wasn’t our fault), and he called during a busy period. After being on old for 4min 31seconds he was offered the opportunity of being called back rather than waiting, he could leave a message with his details and normally we call back within a couple of hours at most. He left this message:

NSFW: http://www.orbit.me.uk/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1206

Pleasent chap to use that kind of bad language to some people who are there to help and who weren’t actually responsible for his troubles. But it’s our box they are using it must be our fault.

He was called back, around 10min later, funnily he hadn’t left his phone number on the message but everything is logged anyway. He was very sheepish and humble; surprised to be called back by someone so helpful.

 

Rather annoyed this morning, I had to make up some Cat-5e cables, not a big thing but something I don’t enjoy. That wasn’t the problem however, I came to crimp them and found that someone in the office has bent the die on my Rolson RJ-45 ratchet crimp tool. I leave my tools at the office partly out of convenience and partly because they keep them out of the way at home. I accept the visiting engineers use them occasionally, however it is very rude that I find them around the office and now I find one broken.

 Peeved.