Invest in tools of work

Entrepreneurship Matters Dr Kudzanai Vere

Operational efficiency will remain a talk show until there is a deliberate decision to invest in tools of work by organisations and institutions irrespective of sector and size. We appreciate that there are a host of other factors that affects operational efficiency, but my focus in this article is on tools of work.

Any business world over utilises certain tools in the execution of its day-to -day operational tasks. Tools of work are the means by which we get work done.

One might be shallow to suggest that those in the knowledge industry falls outside the issue I am addressing today.

Let me put it right first time, regardless of sector and size every organisation uses tools to get its work done. Right information and knowledge in a particular area is a powerful tool that can only be acquired.

You’ll find out that there is every need to thoroughly and fully understand the nature of your work in order to ascertain the types of tools that you need to make your work easy. In a retail set-up, such tools includes an efficient point of sale system, shelves to pack your merchandise, a truck to carry your stuff, CCTVs for your security, and at best your own premises to operate from.

Different organisations needs different types of tools. If you’re in the transport business, make sure that you buy reliable brands that can withstand long distances under heavy loads. Otherwise you will be a disappointment and disgrace to the customers due to perennial breakdowns. If you’re in the service industry make sure your mind is full of wisdom to dispatch relevance.

One morning when I was coming from home to work, I saw this scrappy body falling B1800 Mazda being filled with a 1 000 litre tank of water for sale. This person has been visible at that water spot for close to six months and water delivery has become his business.

I tried to imagine a future in his business, but could stumble at any. Not because water has suddenly become ubiquitous, but his vehicle seemed to be singing Simon Chopper Chimbetu’s song “Baba mukuru ndaremera, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Mugobera, ndaremerwa”. Its body was falling off the chassis though the engine may be still pushing inside the bonnet.

As someone in the water delivery industry, a sound water bowser is one resource that he cannot do without, he should have at least done something about this particular tool of work. The type and quality of tools that you use determines how far you will go in your particular business.

Don’t just enjoy the money that comes from your business without investing in the means of getting the same money. A lot of people miss this important point. I have seen big bus companies going under due to mere neglect of rudimentary and yet important things, servicing of the fleet when they fall due. You prolong the life of your vehicles and enhance your business operations and sustainability if you do the needful on time.

As a business you cannot afford to spend forever renting a premise as if your name has been blacklisted by the local authorities that you cannot own a stand and build a premises of your own. Imagine spending 30 years renting a premises for US$600 per month, that’s a whopping US$216 000 over 30 years. How many buildings would you have expended in the name of rentals?

With the right tools of work, you normally do not work that hard, you work smart. It is difficult to convince SMEs that writing a manual cash sale takes five times the time you take when using a POS machine. You just take days explaining this simple common sense concept of computerising operations.

At one time I thought that they would want to save money, but I later realised that, SMEs in Africa take time to leave their traditional ways of doing business, but when they do, they would have done it for real.

Imagine operating a US$300k worth of business and you resort to transporting your stocks through the Kuwadzana roundabout way (hiking on trucks that will be returning to their bases empty). This only speaks of some short circuited wiring on one’s brains. You cannot be saving by being so ineffective and backward. Invest in trucks for easy transportation.

Investing in tools of work is a no- brainer. In order for you to get value out of your business, you need to put in some value. Apart from investing in continuous improvement and systems, tools of work makes your operations easier. Operational efficiency is improved and ultimately your customers will get value for their money.

The message is, improve operational efficiency and productivity by investing in tools of work. Be current in terms of trends within your industry and strive to tool your workspaces.

Determined to engage, inspire and transform generations.

The writer, Dr Kudzanai Vere is the founder & CEO of Kudfort, Transformational Mindset Institute, Premium Business Network International and the Institute of Entrepreneurs Zimbabwe. He is an entrepreneur, author and transformational speaker in the areas of entrepreneurship and personal development. The transformational speaker have trained more than 5000 entrepreneurs globally in the areas of innovation, organisation development, practical business management and ideation. You can contact him on +263719592232 or email [email protected]