Yearly Archives: 2024

When you need to make a change or improvement in your company, what do you turn to: your sixth sense (the famous ‘ feeling’ ) or some planning method to guide the process?

If you are part of the “evidence-based decisions” team, in this article, you will learn everything about the PDCA cycle , a systematized method that helps to plan, execute, monitor and evaluate the actions implemented in business.

With a methodology guiding the process, there is the possibility of having to adjust the chosen actions, imagine modifying them without having any prediction of the impacts that this will cause.

So, continue reading the article and learn how to implement successful strategies, overcome challenges along the way and continue the process of continuous improvement of your company with the PDCA tool!

What is PDCA in a company?

The PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act) is a methodology that helps solve corporate problems, with the aim of promoting the continuous improvement of business processes, assisting decision-making with accurate and reliable data and contributing to better predictability of results .

The method was created in the 1920s by the American physicist Walter A. Shewhart. In the 1950s, the statistician William E. Deming perfected the tool, popularizing it in the corporate world.

The difference is that the methodology can be applied to each process optimization cycle that the company goes through. Thus, the steps are repeated, but the context analyzed is always different, since it starts from previous improvements.

In this way, the method is a way to continue optimizing strategies to achieve the desired results, without losing what has already worked.

What are the 4 steps of the PDCA cycle?

The PDCA cycle is based on four main steps: Plan, Do, Check and Act. The names indicate what is done in each phase of the method, but we will detail each step below:

1. Plan

The first step of the PDCA cycle is to plan , that is, find opportunities for improvement and then make the plan that will lead to the changes.

And how do you know what needs to be improved? As a manager, you must pay attention to your sector to identify processes that are not working and causing problems.

This investigation results in a list of demands, so it is necessary to define which will be the priority at the moment. One way of thinking is to evaluate which process has the greatest impact on the workflow and which, if changed, would improve other steps.

Each optimization must have its own planning with a defined objective linked to the business goals. In short, at the end of this stage, you must complete the following steps:

• Define the problem
• Analyze the root cause
• Set a goal
• Decide on corrective actions

2. Do (do)

The second step of the PDCA method is Do. Here, it is time to put the planning into practice and execute corrective actions to test its efficiency.

Optimizations can occur in several areas, such as the operational line, logistics, maintenance management , training strategies, administrative practices, among others.

The action must be customized for each context, considering the need for improvement and other factors that influence the activity.

To take effective action, map out the process step by step, define those responsible for each part of the task, establish indicators to monitor results and assess the need to include new tools.

3. Check

The third stage of the PDCA cycle is verification (Check) . The main activity is to evaluate the results of the first post-change tests through performance indicators, based on the criteria defined in the planning.

The second check takes place after the implementation period has been completed. At this point, it is possible to identify errors in execution, failures and successful actions.

This way, at the end, you will have a list of what worked and what still needs to be optimized for the process to be fully efficient.

This is a crucial moment in the application of the methodology and requires a lot of attention. Some tips that can help are:

• Set deadlines for initial testing and the overall process
• Monitor quantitative metrics constantly
• Define a qualitative improvement parameter, if the process does not have a numerical reference

4. Act

Closing the PDCA cycle, we reach the action stage (Act) , that is, the defined solution based on the results achieved. At this point, the responsible team creates a new pattern and records the step by step.

The new instructions must be passed on to all employees involved in the activity to avoid errors in the new stage. If, in the future, the first optimization is no longer as efficient, a new PDCA can be carried out to adjust the process.

As mentioned above, the method is cyclical, so with each round of improvements/adjustments, the four steps need to be repeated. Often, due to overconfidence, teams make decisions without planning.

This decision harms the progress of continuous improvement because, by discarding the previous process, the errors overcome may be repeated. Therefore, always remember that the continuity of improvements depends on the correct application of the methodology.

Variations of the method

PDCA is a tool recognized for its efficiency in solving business problems. It is so successful that there are variations of the method, but all maintain the four-step scheme. We have separated three alternatives:

PDSA

PDSA only changes the penultimate step of the original cycle. Check is replaced by the Study step. This does not mean that it is completely eliminated, but in this variation of the method, the study is more in-depth, using historical data from the process .

The person responsible for this change was William Deming, who, when evaluating the original cycle, considered that the verification stage was very superficial and that it was necessary to investigate the changes achieved in greater detail.

PDCL

In PDCL, the changed step is the last one. Act gives way to Learn, so instead of standardizing the process, concluding the cycle, the team turns its attention to learning.

In this way, the work continues, directing efforts to deepen knowledge about the process, evaluating the chances of obtaining other improvements with a new planning and execution cycle.

PDCL can be useful in complex operations in highly competitive markets, where efficiency is a key aspect of the operation, in addition to keeping the business at the forefront of its market .

SDSA

The last variation is SDSA , and here two steps of the original cycle are changed: Plan becomes Standardize and Check becomes Study.

The goal of this cycle is standardization. The idea is to conduct continuous rounds of testing until the goal is achieved. Only when the ideal level of performance is achieved will the new process become standard and be implemented.

To obtain positive results with the SDSA cycle, it is recommended to perform the PDSA first (once or twice) to improve the main aspects and then apply the SDSA with more knowledge about the work context.

The goal is for this approach to consolidate improvements and prevent the recurrence of errors and mismatches.

How to do a PDCA cycle?

To carry out a PDCA cycle, it is essential to follow each of the main steps, or variations. As the process is systematized, the steps complement each other and aggregate information, allowing for accurate assessments.

The methodology can be repeated as many times as necessary and there is no limit. However, having a break between one cycle and another helps to observe the situation with more perspective and understand where the root cause of the error/misadjustment lies.

The responsible team sets the deadline for reapplying the method. This way, those involved can monitor the work and, most importantly, avoid skipping steps due to the rush to reactivate the process.

Remember that one step depends on the other? Therefore, an error or poorly performed assessment can directly impact the quality of the final PDCA analysis.

Errors in applying the tool

To obtain a good result, be careful and avoid the following mistakes when applying the cycle:

In-depth reviews

When a problem arises in a company, the most urgent need is to resolve it quickly. However, rushing can lead to a superficial analysis of the situation. Without finding the root cause, the solutions defined on impulse will not actually improve the situation.

To assist in the planning stage, use other management tools with a systemic approach, such as the 5 Whys and 5W2H , which focus on helping to define the root cause of problems.

Insufficient knowledge

The team responsible for conducting the PDCA cycle needs to have knowledge not only of the methodology, but also of the process being analyzed.

So, if the work will be in the operational sector, the team needs to include people with sufficient knowledge of the area and its processes for the proposals to be coherent.

Furthermore, improvement proposals need to consider the need for new training for the team that will carry them out so that employees can learn the new technique.

Confused assessment

Another PDCA error is to make a confusing assessment without clear criteria to support the conclusions. An incorrect assessment can lead to changes that will not be beneficial to the process, causing losses in productivity and deliveries.

Therefore, the indicators that will guide the analysis need to be well defined for the assessments to be accurate and reliable.

PDCA method example

As PDCA is widely applied in process improvement, we will use the increase in industrial productivity as the objective to be achieved to create a practical example.

In the planning stage, the team must evaluate which activities are carried out, determine the average production time, how many people work in the area evaluated, who the manager is, etc.

One of the problems identified is not having enough staff to cover the entire process quickly. So, in the execution stage, the first test is to include more people in the team for two weeks to try to reduce the average production time by 5%.

During verification, the team assesses whether, in the period analyzed, the indicator was reduced and what impact this had on the rest of the operational chain.

If the results are positive, new employees can take on the position permanently. If the desired result is not achieved, it is essential to listen to the team to understand what went wrong and gather new suggestions for improvement.

The example is simple, but it illustrates the collaborative work of applying PDCA well. It is not just the steps that are connected, the team leading the project and the team executing the tests must collaborate, contributing to broadening the vision of the framework studied.

Where can PDCA be used?

PDCA is a versatile method that can be used to guide various types of projects in different areas of a company. In the corporate world, the method is applied to the following activities:

• Business process optimization : reorganizes and improves workflows by including or deleting steps to optimize the process.
• Adapting sectors to compliance guidelines : helps to make changes so that a sector, for example, finance, meets compliance requirements, prioritizing transparency.
• Creation of new products or services : the PDCA method is very efficient in guiding the steps of including new items in the portfolio, prioritizing the high level of quality of the company’s solutions.
• Efficient standardization : the method guides the entire process of implementing new standards, highlighting errors and successes and allowing them to be improved to meet the defined requirements.

Building good partnerships in the market is essential for any company. After all, every business needs the support of third-party services or raw materials, both for good management and to keep the operational flow running.

Therefore, a well-made selection of suppliers keeps on the list of options only those who are truly qualified, reliable and capable of providing a good service.

With the digitalization of processes, the search for new providers gains an enabling component: the internet. This way, it is easier to find and filter references.

The report ‘ The Gartner Future of Sales 2025 ‘ by consultancy Gartner, highlights that, by 2025, 80% of sales communications between suppliers and B2B buyers will take place through digital channels.

And to conduct the process online, your business’s purchasing management team needs to be careful before closing a deal with a partner.

Continue reading the article to find out what key requirements a potential supplier needs to meet before being included in your company’s partner list.

What is the supplier selection procedure?

The supplier selection procedure is the process carried out by the purchasing management area of ​​companies to find, evaluate and hire new businesses as partners.

The objective is to put together a list of reliable brands on the market for the supply of products, raw materials or services to supply, or manage, different sectors.

The quality of a business’s supply chain depends on choosing good suppliers that contribute to the continuity of operations.

In addition to resulting in a list of reliable references, the selection process helps to:

• Reduce purchasing risks;
• Strengthen partnerships with trusted companies;
• Gain bargaining power ;
• Negotiate advantageous values ​​and terms and much more.

How to select suppliers?

To make a successful supplier selection, the process needs to be well organized internally. The goal is to follow the process step by step and analyze all the criteria before including a new partner as a possible purchase option.

If your company doesn’t have any methods yet, start with market research . Suppose you need a new packaging supplier. The first step is to search the internet for businesses in your area.

Next, search engines highlight businesses at the top of the page, helping to raise initial options for further research on websites and social networks.

The next step is to select those you will contact . The goal at this stage is to understand the supplier’s sales processes, whether they have well-defined, clear steps and whether the service is well-conducted.

Then, it is time to send an order proposal and analyze the price, delivery time, or the way the service is provided, and payment methods from the most qualified suppliers.

The team must evaluate everything from the way the budget is presented to the detail and clarity of all the details to close a purchase.

As with any purchase, negotiation is part of the process. So, evaluate the supplier’s negotiation flexibility, what conditions they offer for the first order, whether they offer any type of benefit for recurring purchases, among others.

Closing the supplier selection process does not mean ending up with just one company to serve the packaging category. Define three options , one main and two as a backup, so as not to depend on just one partner. This rule applies to all categories.

What are the criteria for selecting suppliers?

Until reaching the top 3, the purchasing team needs to be rigorous about supplier selection criteria to avoid problems hiring companies that could let your business down.

We have separated five requirements that should be considered from market research to the final choice. Check them out!

1. Market experience

The first criterion for selecting suppliers is market experience . The time and history of operation, as well as the achievements and infrastructure that the company offers to its customers, are indicators of the solidity of the business.

Who the owners are, their qualifications, as well as those of the team, add up to important points when considering a company as an option.

2. Knowledge about solutions

When you speak to a potential supplier’s customer service team or directly to the business owner, take note of their knowledge of the solutions they sell.

In addition to offering the most up-to-date inputs or services on the market, can they clearly explain the advantages of each option? Are their arguments clear? Do they show their preference in the negotiation and confidently defend what they are selling?

The answer to the questions must be a unanimous ‘yes’.

3. Credibility

A company’s reputation in the market is another fundamental criterion when selecting suppliers. Therefore, do not be superficial in your research. Look for channels other than search engines, such as social networks, supplier websites, online review sites, among others.

If what the company sells matches what people say about it, the chances of it being a good partner increase.

4. Transparency

Transparency may seem like a subjective criterion, but it is more tangible than you might think. The way a supplier conducts negotiations, being consistent in all arguments for closing the proposal, without contradiction, is an example of transparency.

The same should happen with contracts and financial obligations involved in transactions. Any “trick” in the process is a red flag. Be careful!

5. Customer evaluation

In the internet age, it is difficult to make a purchase or choose a business partner without knowing the opinion of someone who has already gone through the process, do you agree?

So, research who the suppliers’ partners are, whether they are reliable companies, what positive points they raise and what types of criticism/improvements are pointed out. This way, you can assess whether or not it is worth doing business with them.

While periodic predictive analytics is a discussed topic much today, in itself, it is quite an old concept. Mostly different now is that we can count on exponentially greater computing power and data volumes compared to then.

To understand the subject better, in the article we explain what predictive analysis is, how it works and why it is important. We also show you advantages offered, its relation to other technologies and application examples so that you understand why you should perform this kind of analysis.

Happy reading!

What is predictive analytics?

Predictive analytics — or predictive technical analytics — is a way of performing advanced analysis to check data or content in order to answer the question: what might happen in the future?

To do this, statistical modeling techniques, Big Data and machine learning are used, which allow historical data to be extracted and predictions to be made.

This predictability is possible due to the capacity of Big Data, which obtains data through several interconnected systems. They can be interpreted to verify how a group or a person will behave in relation to a certain context.

How does it work?

This predictive model is nothing more than a mathematical function, which performs a complex statistical calculation to present possibilities to a manager.

In this sense, a retail company, for example, can use a wide variety of data as a basis to understand that demand for a product may increase at a certain time of the year.

Based on this prediction indicated by the algorithm, decision-makers can understand that it is necessary to reinforce stock to meet demand, avoiding being caught by surprise.

How important is predictive analytics?

In an economy with fierce competition, the use of this tool becomes an important differentiator. After all, who wouldn’t want to be more certain about the likely outcomes of a decision?

In this regard, the value of predictive analysis lies in the very prevention of the events themselves based on the trends, traceable from similar circumstances encountered in the past.

What are the benefits of predictive analytics?

What is the most significant benefit of predictive analysis? It is that it enables companies to learn from their experiences – from their data – and to take effective measures to apply what has been learned toward better futures.

Below, see other important advantages:

• eliminates the burden of manual data analysis and minimizes errors;
• generates competitive advantage in the market;
• improves customer satisfaction;
• increases the chances of successful product launches.

How does predictive analytics relate to other technologies?

To perform predictive analysis, the company needs to keep in mind that it is a process that requires several other enabling technologies. Below, learn about the main ones.

Predictive Analytics and Artificial Intelligence

Here, we have two terms that are similar and closely related. This is because Artificial Intelligence is the fuel of predictive analysis, since this method considers not only historical data, but also seeks to predict various future possibilities.

To do this, you need applications capable of feeding the algorithms with external data collected in real time, to find patterns, behaviors and design future scenarios.

Predictive Analytics and Big Data

Big Data is the backbone framework under which data-gathering applications are implemented. It will be the raw material from which algorithms and models will be built. Hence, good interfaces to Big Data must be important in effective predictive analytics.

Predictive Analytics and Business Intelligence

Business Intelligence is the process of gathering, storing, and analyzing business data to extract insights that help drive better decision-making.

Therefore, when a company performs a predictive analysis, it is applying a BI action. With this, it obtains proposals for executable actions that enable better solutions.

What are the 3 Vs of predictive analytics?

Predictive analytics relies on Big Data. This technology is based on five Vs, identified as volume, variety, veracity, velocity, and value. Three of them are fundamental to the success of predictive analytics — as we will show below.

Variety

It is very important to have a good diversity of data sources and formats, to obtain a deeper analysis. In addition, this aspect helps to obtain less “biased” results — often caused by a single database.

Truthfulness

Veracity is an essential aspect: there is no point in having a large volume of data if the information is not reliable. Therefore, before carrying out any type of analysis, it is important to question whether the source of such data is reliable.

Speed

Just as important as having reliable and diverse data is having the agility to process it. This is because many of the insights may no longer be useful if the timing is lost.

In this sense, a good platform needs to have the ability to cross-reference information collected in real time, to generate accurate predictions based on the analyses.

What are examples of the application of predictive analytics?

Predictive analysis is part of the routine of large companies in a wide range of segments. Below, see some examples of its application.

Churn prediction

Predictive analysis can predict when certain customers are no longer satisfied with the solutions offered. This way, the company can plan better , based on a review of its weaknesses.

This allows you to develop new retention strategies or, in difficult scenarios, at least better prepare for customer loss.

Upsell and cross-sell

In contrast to churn prediction, in this aspect, the company can perceive the customer’s willingness to be interested in a new product.

This way, it is possible to approach it more precisely to offer a more advantageous upgrade for the customer and more profitable for the company.

Agribusiness

One of the biggest challenges that this technology allows us to overcome is knowledge about the climate and the conditions that impact planting.

Based on historical data and the help of advanced algorithms, we are able to predict events and receive insights on measures to overcome them, making the production chain more flexible to survive climate change.

The information also increases business leaders’ visibility into the level of waste and losses, among other aspects.

The use of field data and the automation of agricultural equipment make it possible to carry out rural activities more effectively and on a broader scale. An example of this is an autonomous tractor, which can receive weather forecast data.

Using this information, the equipment identifies when it can carry out its work in better weather conditions. Therefore, if the weather worsens, it can stop automatically and continue the interrupted task as soon as the situation changes.

In this way, agricultural management can incorporate predictive analysis, with a focus on the evolution of cold chain chains, to avoid losses , increase productivity and get ahead of the competition in terms of traceability, quality and reliability.

One of the biggest nightmares for business owners — or freelancers in particular — is the efficient management of their finances. To achieve this, it will be necessary to master other types of company cycles, such as operational and financial cycles.

After all, they help you calculate the real economic situation of your business and, therefore, help you take the best decisions for improving your results. Since this is a subject on which the maintenance and growth of your company depend, we have prepared this complete post so that it answers all your questions.

Next, you will understand the concept of each of these two cycles and discover how to calculate them correctly, among other relevant points. Keep reading!

Why is it important to understand the operating and financial cycles?

To care for the financial health of the company is essential. It’s only when there is proper management of resources that a good stock can be maintained, and investments can be made in new solutions, measures to ensure profitability in the short, medium, and long terms.

However, many entrepreneurs fail to analyze their company’s financial situation and, therefore, cannot make a very sound decision. The big issue is that a wrong decision-or-a wrong time decision-is one of the most common causes of business failure.

To prevent this from happening, managers need to understand how to properly manage the operational cycle and the financial cycle. Both refer to your company’s need for financial resources. In other words, they are linked to the inflow and outflow of money.

It is important to note that both cycles take into account the average storage period, which often does not receive due attention from entrepreneurs. In addition, they are related to the liquidity and profitability of the enterprise, considering that:

• liquidity — the ease with which an asset can be turned into cash;
• profitability — refers to the analysis of results taking into account investments , costs, among other factors.

Thus, both are essential for analyzing the need for working capital , as well as for projecting cash flow. In practice, they become extremely important tools for decision-making, as mentioned, and for improving business results.

What is the operating cycle?

This is the sum total of all phases of a business operation. In simple words, the operating cycle begins with the purchase of raw materials, proceeds with payments to the suppliers, manufacturing of the product and sales, and comes to an end by receiving payment for the sale of the merchandise. This, in simple words, comprehends the whole time phase of inflow and outflow of cash.

For this reason, calculating the operating cycle is essential to determine the value of working capital and to more effectively control inventory. Another important point to be analyzed is that the shorter the operating cycle, the better, because it will be possible to quickly reach the payment stage.

To understand it more easily, it is interesting to think about agricultural activities . In this context, it begins when the producer buys the seeds and ends after the harvest, when he receives payment for the production. These are longer cycles, but with a fixed date due to the harvests.

On the other hand, industrial cycles are shorter. After all, raw materials are constantly arriving and production is constant. As a result, products are delivered more frequently.

So how to calculate it?

The formula for the operating cycle is not at all complex. Development involves the sum of the average time that raw materials and finished products are stored and the average time between sale and receipt. Therefore, it is simply organized as follows:

operating cycle = average storage period + average receipt period

Example: suppose the company’s average storage period is 20 days and an average receipt period is 64 days. The operating cycle will therefore be 84 days.

Therefore, it means that for the firm to buy the raw material, get it on the production line, manufacture the chairs, sell them, and receive payment will take 84 days.

What is the financial cycle?

It is the process of raising, managing, and using capital in your business. Source of obtaining resources sets in, then allocation continues until their use to repay debts or gain more funds for investment.

In simple words, it is the time gap between the outflow and inflow of cash into the cash register. Simple words: Time gap between the conversion of capital of a company into a product or service that is sold to its clients. That is why it is also known as the “cash cycle”.

Therefore, the shorter the financial cycle, the better for the business, as this means that there is an effective financial organization . Therefore, contrary to what many managers imagine, a negative financial cycle is excellent, as it shows that the company receives payment for the goods sold before it even needs to pay suppliers.

How to calculate it?

The calculation of the financial cycle depends directly on the result of the operating cycle. Simply use the following formula:

financial cycle = operating cycle – average payment term to suppliers

Let’s use the same example of the chair factory? We already know that it has an operating cycle of 84 days.

Let’s say, then, that the average payment term to suppliers is 60 days. Therefore, we have a financial cycle of 24 days. This means that the company pays its suppliers 24 days before receiving the sales value.

In other words, during this period, it is necessary to use working capital to finance your operations. In this sense, one of the ways to reduce the financial cycle is by negotiating better terms with suppliers.

How to effectively manage the operational and financial cycle?

To effectively manage the operational and financial cycle, the following actions must be implemented:

• establish budgets, forecasts and financial goals;
• adjust the stock level to avoid excess or shortages;
• implement efficient collection processes to maximize cash flow and ensure payment of bills on time;
• control expenses, avoiding unnecessary spending and prioritizing those that add value to the business;

Such initiatives could be introduced through technological instruments, including financial management software that helps to automate and integrate processes.

As you can see, knowing the operational and financial cycles of a company is as critical in ensuring that its accounts are well-balanced as it is in defining the best strategies for expanding the business. That is why you must constantly monitor the results and develop tactics that aim to reduce them in order to manage them properly.

The search for improvements in a company’s functions and procedures is a common attitude among managers. It is a great way to overcome the challenges and competition that business owners face on a daily basis. It is no different on a rural property .

But to achieve success , it is necessary to implement appropriate techniques. New ideas and projects need to be aligned with good strategic management . If you have doubts about how to invest and make the best choices in your field activity, this post is for you!

Follow the content and learn the best way to stand out in the market.

What is benchmarking?

It is an English expression that means “reference”. It is nothing more than an in-depth evaluation method that aims at the progressive development of any business. It is a way to improve performance in all terms: sales results, cost reduction, among other relevant points.

It is a study carried out by analyzing the competition. Through this analysis, it is possible to understand how other producers act, how they work and what practices they adopt to be successful. From this, the manager can understand what can be improved and how to implement new processes , products and services.

Market research is carried out and professionals can provide a transparent report on how investment management is progressing. Through this enhanced research, it is possible to make a comparison and replicate positive results.

How relevant is benchmarking for rural producers?

This helps you to point out the points that your business must work on. You also come to know your progress over time and gain insights that will help you decide better on your business.

Benchmarking

Benchmarking is flexible enough to be applied to practically any aspect of your business, from production in general to goals of specific departments or channels of your team.

But remember that benchmarking is not a one-time exercise, it is rather repeated over time. To really benefit from this practice, you need to follow through with consistent and continuous measurements of your core activities in order to make sure that you move forward toward your chosen objectives.

What is it for?

The evaluation and comparison method in question serves to foster growth in an effective way. Especially in sectors that have customer service and rely on customer experience, it is very interesting to apply benchmarking .

The more you know about your industry, the greater your chances of innovating. Mastering this mechanism can bring many advantages.

What is its importance?

It is important to clarify that benchmarking is only a comparison tool. Although other ideas may inspire change, the correct thing to do is not to copy the work system of other properties.

Although some information can serve as a basis, understand this: if done correctly, benchmarking can boost profits. Comparisons made as a critical analysis are very welcome. However, it is worth keeping an eye on excesses.

We have separated some points that demonstrate the importance of starting this proposal and the advantages it presents:

• outline the trends in the segment you work in;
• clearly understand the business prospects and threats ;
• observe the progress and success points of several businesses in the same niche and that serve the same audience as yours;
• better master the processes necessary in the work routine;
• attract employees to production objectives, using as an example the success of properties that applied similar strategies and were successful;
• become more familiar with the work you offer and what you are involved in, and this also includes how clients see you;
• provide learning in management and planning ;
• encourage decision-making on future investments considering the competitive reality.

What are its main benefits?

There are many benefits, and we have separated some of them in more detail.

Identify trends

Keeping an eye on trends is the key to benchmarking. Comparing your way of working with the intention of researching new things is advantageous. This helps build maturity in business management .

Motivate the team

When the work produces positive results, the team feels motivated to continue. Constructive criticism formed from the appreciation of all the progress that can be improved is also positive.

If you can improve something, and you effectively improve it, the service pays off and grows.

How to do benchmarking?

To make this comparison, some issues must be considered. Ideally, you should choose some competitors to monitor. Logically, you will prefer businesses that you admire.

After that, it is interesting to establish some indicators of this analysis, namely: what aspect will be observed? Whether it will be the way of providing the service, the type of equipment, how the client is treated, and many other things.

After that, it’s time to compare what has been done in your administration. Make a list of what can be improved, added or even removed. Don’t forget that negative points also count a lot.

Building values ​​also comes from accepting what is not working well. Understanding that there are problems and that they can be solved is a perfect balance.

Therefore, assuming that certain aspects need adjustments is an excellent step. If you need to make investments, you can think about the possibility of taking on a consortium , for example.

Giving importance to possible absences broadens the manager’s vision as a whole. Benchmarking has a purpose that is worth implementing in the routine. It is an efficient way to achieve growth and have excellent performance in all segments.

Have you ever heard of the Kaizen method? We can say that Japanese culture is characterized by its philosophical worldview — which is why Japan stands out for its brilliant minds and companies that are role models for the market.

This methodology was created in the country in the 1950s with the aim of rebuilding it after the Second World War. Its purpose is to improve production, provide continuous improvement to the business and reduce inefficiencies .

If you are interested in learning more about the meaning of Kaizen and how to use this method, continue reading the post to check out the details. Let’s go!

What is Kaizen?

Kaizen is a way that means “continuous improvement”, so it focuses on the search for improvements. After all, no matter what you do, there is always a way to do it better. In a broad sense, it is a methodology that is connected with the concept of optimization, showing how it is possible to achieve improvement.

Due to its concept, this method is often used by the marketing area as a management system aimed at constantly improving processes. In this context, the objective is to reduce inefficiencies and negative practices that reduce the performance of a company’s system.

Thus, through small change processes, it is possible to perceive relevant and positive impacts in the long term using the Kaizen method.

What is this method for?

The Kaizen method provides constant progress to processes by creating and measuring certain quality standards. To understand what this methodology is really for, we can look at its advantages. The main ones are:

• the reduction of costs;
• increased productivity;
• reducing waste in the organization;
• the improvement of quality;
• increasing customer satisfaction levels.

In fact, it is worth highlighting productivity in particular. After all, implementing an agile culture and improving processes through the adoption of tools are currently fundamental factors for companies.

In this sense, the continuous improvement advocated by the Kaizen methodology has as one of its main benefits, precisely, the increase in productivity levels. In other words, the famous phrase “do more with less” is put into practice.

What are its main steps?

The Kaizen method uses the five “S” to reduce or eliminate unproductive periods and to plan the step-by-step process of an improved production system. They are:

1. seiketsu — involves taking care of hygiene, both personal and environmental;
2. seiso — includes maintaining cleanliness and order;
3. seiri — involves making a classification between useless and useful;
4. seiton — involves ordering what is useful and deciding about what is useless;
5. sheitzuke — encompasses the promotion of self-control and discipline to improve productivity.

Where can the Kaizen method be applied?

It is possible to apply the five steps of the Kaizen method both in the professional environment and in personal life (to learn how to plan financially or raise funds , for example). However, in general, the methodology is more commonly adopted by companies.

As a rule, all departments in a company can apply Kaizen. However, the focus is on the factors that are most likely to generate a greater financial return.

The sectors of an organization that usually require faster solutions are those that must respond quickly to consumer dissatisfaction. Examples include technology, product development, etc.

When a company’s customers are dissatisfied, the consequences are often felt in cash flow — which is why it is essential to always seek continuous improvement, especially in the most critical areas. Projects that directly impact corporate profits are usually the target of the methodology.

However, Kaizen can be relevant to several areas, such as those involving the following aspects:

• costs — reduction in expenses, use of materials, labor, resources and energy;
• safety — improving working conditions and reducing damage to the environment;
• quality — improvement in services, practices, products, processes and the work environment;
• management — positive impacts on administration, process flows, procedures, information systems and the preparation of reports and documentation;
• delivery — reduction of delivery time.

It is also worth highlighting that, although Kaizen was designed for manufacturing, it can also be applied to other segments, such as Information Technology, Finance , Healthcare, etc.

How to apply it?

To be able to apply the Kaizen method in practice, it is interesting to follow some tips, such as:

• not to remain stuck in the past, always seeking to replace traditional and fixed ideas with new ones;
• always question the standards and practices that are used in order to discover what can be improved;
• try to think about how to put the improvement or idea into practice instead of focusing on the negative aspects of something or the reasons why something cannot be done. In other words, try to see the positive side of the change;
• put solutions into practice — which is even more important than seeking perfection — even if the goal is not fully achieved, since the method presents gradual results;
• seek to act instead of making excuses;
• Try to correct errors as soon as you notice them, because, according to the Kaizen method, you should not fix what you identified today another day.

It is worth noting that Kaizen can also be seen as a philosophy. In other words, a way of thinking, and therefore the method should not be treated as a project with an expiration date that must be completed. This means that the ways of application that we present should be seen as “mantras” by those who adopt the methodology.

Now that you know what Kaizen is and that it is the result of a continuous effort that requires the participation of everyone involved, try to put this philosophy into practice if you want to generate improvements in your life. This applies to both the professional sphere (leveraging your company, for example) and the personal sphere (maintaining financial organization , emotional balance, etc.).

Managing time and productivity is one of the most important tasks for those who work in fleet and freight management , or even to provide greater productivity in agricultural management . When routines start to become overloaded, failures can occur, processes are delayed and the customer experience is compromised.

To do this, it is essential that you find tools that help increase your daily productivity and provide agility and efficiency in your activities. The Eisenhower matrix is ​​an important mechanism that can be used in this context.

With it, you can achieve greater success in your business and have a more peaceful routine, without setbacks. Learn more about the matrix below and get your questions answered.

What is Eisenhower Matrix?

This was called the Eisenhower Matrix that was devised by former US President Dwight Eisenhower to use in organizing activities according to two criteria combined, urgency and importance. But how are each of them classified? See :

• urgency: these are those that have a shorter deadline to be resolved;
• importance: these are those that are directly related to the company’s objectives and goals.

By combining these two elements at four points on the matrix, you can organize tasks to identify what needs to be resolved more quickly and which can be left for another time.

How does it work?

The Eisenhower matrix works based on the necessary categorization and observation to identify everything that needs to be done and the priority that each person should dedicate to these issues. Its function is to visualize existing demands more clearly and, thus, avoid directing efforts immediately on issues that can be done later or even delegated to other professionals.

What are its benefits?

The Eisenhower matrix is ​​used mainly because it is a simple and extremely beneficial strategy for guiding the productivity of your business, whether in cargo transportation or agricultural management . See below the main benefits of adopting it.

Task prioritization

Among the first steps, it is important to know how to prioritize tasks to be done. S/he is often confronted with many pending tasks, but of course, not all need to be done this moment, and what is a priority can be well arranged.

This is because you can spend important time on tasks that could be done at another time, leaving those that are urgent aside. This way, you can direct your efforts efficiently.

Organization

By determining what is urgent and important, it is possible to organize schedules that include the completion of each task. After all, a non-priority action often depends on another, more urgent, action being performed.

This makes it possible to resolve a chain of interconnected issues in your business, as well as identify what is needed to resolve each of them.

For example, if it is urgent to maintain a vehicle so that it can be put into circulation, you need to analyze what supplies are needed for this purpose. This way, you can make everything you need to organize activities and keep productivity high.

Agility

When you can clearly visualize everything that needs to be done, you can act more proactively and resolve issues more quickly. This is also true because you can identify which tasks are interconnected and define which ones need to be completed more quickly in order to continue with others.

More accurate decision making

Managers rarely use reason and instead, rely on emotions in making decisions, especially when there is a problem. In such cases, an enormous amount of energy can be devoted to the wrong but important-not-urgent problem.

The Eisenhower matrix puts before you clearly whether a given issue really needs to be addressed by you now or if you can delegate that or do it some other time. Replace agricultural equipment. Do you need to replace the equipment now whenever a problem arises, or can that wait? The matrix helps with such a problem.

How to make the Eisenhower matrix?

You can create the matrix in several ways: in an online file, in software that has this function, or even manually on a sheet of paper. Check out the four steps below to adopt it in your routines.

1. Draw four columns to start

It can also be done manually. Want to see an example? Take a sheet of paper and then divide it into four parts. And then on each of them you should write: urgent and important, urgent and not important, not urgent and important, and not urgent and not important.

This classification works as follows:

• important and urgent: needs to be done immediately or as soon as possible;
• important and not urgent: these are essential issues that need to be addressed, linked to the objectives of your activity, but which can be developed in the medium and long term. You have more autonomy to decide when to do them;
• urgent and not important: issues that must be done quickly, but are not necessarily linked to the company’s direct objectives.
• not urgent and not important: the tasks are on the list, they must be done, but they can wait or, depending on the situation, they can even be eliminated.

2. List all the tasks to be performed elsewhere

To organize the tasks that need to be completed, write down everything that is pending in another place. Even small tasks that do not need to be completed immediately should be listed there.

3. Separate the items in each column

After you’ve finished the list, it’s time to assess each item based on its categorization. You’ll be able to view the priority using this.

4. Set schedules and delegate tasks

Now that you’ve divided all business activities into each category in the matrix, it is time to outline what activities should be undertaken and when, which enables the identification of what can be outsourced to other professionals.

For instance, by having someone else within the company take up the task of writing an important email to the client, you will have more time at your disposal to allocate to other concerns that may require more of your concentration in the day.

The Eisenhower Matrix is ​​very important because it helps one not waste time on non-essential issues and defines what really occupies first place when you do work activities. The mechanism is also recommended for self-employed people because, unlike others, they are faced with the difficulty of delegating tasks.

The manufacturing industry is a production system that transforms a raw material into a good . This occurs through the physical, chemical and biological transformation of inputs, substances and other elements that generate new products. Such as the conversion of cellulose into paper and steel into machines, tools and equipment.

There are several sectors involved that use inputs and raw materials from agricultural , forestry, mining, fishing and other industrial activities.

An industry such as this employs final state products. These products are used to form the basis of others. For example, with cellulose, you can make paper, but it can also be utilized in making up notebook covers, books, tablet coatings, medicine capsules, etc.

An interesting fact is that, according to the National Classification of Economic Activities ( CNAE ), artisanal and manual activities, even those carried out at home, are also considered part of the manufacturing industry, after all, they use inputs to transform one product into another.

What is the function of the manufacturing industry?

These are aimed to produce a new product from inputs and raw materials from the agricultural and extractive sectors, among others. Among the total list of types of products delivered by this industry are some industrial services, such as installation of machines and equipment, in addition to products.

Manufacturing industry services

• assembly of components of industrial products;
• installation of machines and equipment;
• repair and maintenance services.

Manufacturing industry products

• food products;
• drinks;
• tobacco products;
• textile products;
• clothing and accessories;
• leather goods, travel goods and footwear;
• wood products;
• paper and paper products;
• printing and reproduction of recordings;
• petroleum and biofuel products;
• pharmaceutical and pharmochemical products;
• rubber and plastic products;
• metallurgy;
• computer equipment, electronic and optical products;
• electrical machines, devices and materials;
• machines and equipment;
• motor vehicles, trailers and bodies;
• furniture;
• among many others.

What are the manufacturing industries?

There are three categories of manufacturing industry: capital goods , which are used to manufacture other products or provide services; intermediate goods , the finished products that are used by other industries; and consumer goods , which are sent directly to the consumer market, divided into durable and non-durable goods.

See more details about what the manufacturing industries are.

Capital goods

Used by other industries to produce new products or provide services, such as factories, machines, equipment, tools, parts and buildings.

Intermediate goods

These are products manufactured to be transformed into others by industries in various sectors.

Consumer goods

Products that are manufactured and shipped to the consumer market. They are divided into:

• durable goods : clothing, footwear and electronics;
• non-durable goods : food, medicine, wooden products, furniture, etc.

The importance of the manufacturing industry

The manufacturing industry is important because it strengthens the entire production sector, manufacturing most of the items consumed by individuals and legal entities, such as food, clothing, equipment, machinery, services, etc. In this way, it directly impacts the economic growth of a country .

Manufacturing industry logistics

Manufacturing industry logistics ensures the supply and distribution of the entire production chain : from raw materials to the final product . It is essential to guarantee the supply of all industrial sectors, avoiding production downtime and unnecessary expenses on obsolete purchases and operations.

That is: for the manufacturing industry to operate normally, it is necessary to invest in high-quality logistics , regardless of the company’s sector of activity.

Industries are able to satisfy modern needs and trends, such globalized marketplaces, speedier delivery, and just-in-time manufacturing, with the aid of technology and inventive machinery and equipment.

Understand more about the functions of logistics in the manufacturing industry:

• reduce unnecessary expenses with excess purchases or unbalanced stocks (empty or too full);
• reduce production time;
• properly manage inventory;
• make deliveries on time ;
• improve sales and order forecasting;
• optimize the flow of production, information and materials;
• among others.

How to enter the manufacturing industry?

Entering the manufacturing industry can be done through appropriate strategic and financial planning in order to invest in innovative technologies and solutions that maximize profits and reduce expenses. Industry 4.0 offers, for example, advanced robotics, industrial automation, systems with artificial intelligence , etc.

Investing in Industry 4.0 has several advantages, including higher productivity, cost savings, improved competitiveness, process optimization, and more aggressive, data-driven decision-making.

Therefore, knowing what the manufacturing industry is can expand your business model! It offers high possibilities for profits and conquering new markets.

But how can you stand out in this industry? By replacing machines, equipment and work tools with more modern and efficient products. An excellent option to acquire them is to join a consortium.

Increasingly more kinds of entrepreneurs are going to appear. Most of the employees end up with a question: “What kind of entrepreneur am I?” This is very important after all since it has everything to do with which direction the company will take. Finally, it shall be the aspirations and characteristics of the individual that shall give meaning to the purpose of the business.

We have thus written this article to answer these questions and to show you different types of entrepreneurship. Keep reading on further to learn more about the main types of entrepreneurship and find out which is right for you.

Happy reading!

What are the 8 types of entrepreneurship that exist?

See below the main types of entrepreneurship that we have listed for you.

1. Individual entrepreneurship

The other type of entrepreneurship which is on the rise in the country is individual entrepreneurship. The latter can be legally established through MEI (Individual Microentrepreneur), Eireli (Individual Limited Liability Company) and EI (Individual Entrepreneur).

These are the most practical ways and are the easiest means of becoming an entrepreneur when the end goal is to have a small business. For one, there could be important limitations on this type of business, such as the number of employees and revenues. This particular kind of business is used mostly by freelancers and independent professionals.

2. Informal entrepreneurship

This type of entrepreneurship is practiced by most who were unable to legally start their own business. The idea is to meet short-term needs and, in most cases, only provides the basics for survival. One example is a street stall that ends up operating without a CNPJ, for example.

A disadvantage of informal entrepreneurship is that it suffers from several restrictions, such as access to credit services and other benefits.

3. Franchise Entrepreneurship

The security for investment in this kind of entrepreneurship is a great advantage, because you will be undertaking a business model that has already been tried and, often, proven. Besides, you will be supported by the company, knowing all the ways to make everything easier. For this reason, theoretically, this is one of the easiest types of entrepreneurship to execute, as it already has well-defined processes.

Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that the life of a franchise entrepreneur is going to be easy. On the contrary, the activity also has many challenges and barriers that will demand knowledge and effort on a daily basis.

4. Social entrepreneurship

We can say that the main objective of this type of entrepreneurship is to “make a difference for someone”. After all, in social entrepreneurship, the product or service offered must generate benefits for a certain part of society. Therefore, profit is no longer the main purpose of the business in this model.

A good example that we can mention are NGOs, which can focus on professional training, psychological care, health care, social inclusion and many other possibilities.

5. Business Entrepreneurship

This type of business is linked to the creation of new companies. The main focus, in this case, is to win more customers, maintain the increase in profits and, above all, make the business increasingly competitive. The purpose here is always to meet a market need. Most of the time, this objective is achieved through innovation of a process that already exists. Therefore, it is common for business entrepreneurship to involve a certain amount of risk .

6. Green entrepreneurship

This type of business is made up of companies that are concerned about how their actions and projects impact the environment. Thus, organizations adopt some sustainability practices and save natural resources to produce their products. They end up combining profit with concern about the impacts they cause on nature. Thus, they contribute to the preservation of the environment and also gain a competitive edge, strengthening the company’s image.

7. Digital entrepreneurship

That is why digital landscapes have pushed the growth of entrepreneurship worldwide. With massive presence from the Internet and various new technologies, a number of conditions have been created for entrepreneurs to develop digital products and services. Of course, one of the characteristics of this type of entrepreneurship is that it is extremely versatile, serving content products such as videos, retailers, and much more.

8. Cooperative entrepreneurship

This form of entrepreneurship is based on the concept of collaborative economy. In cooperative entrepreneurship, individual entrepreneurs end up coming together to work together. It works like a support network, in which each professional ends up contributing with a product or service, so that the entire group can have satisfactory results in their businesses.

The idea is always to share both resources and knowledge. Remember that, for management to work, it has to be democratic, with everyone coming together to make decisions. An important detail is that, although all members work together to achieve success, each person has full responsibility for their individual goals.

What to consider when choosing the ideal type of entrepreneurship?

Well, each way of doing business has its advantages and disadvantages, but it also has its own characteristics, which end up being related to the purposes of the person who idealizes the business . So, to make the best choice, it is essential to study what best suits your profile and your ideas.

Furthermore, it is important to research the business format of your main competitors and understand their differences. This is because entrepreneurship also means preparing in advance for the challenges that may arise. Remember that it is not necessary to exclusively follow one type of entrepreneurship.

Here’s an example to make this clear: a freelance professional who makes services available on the Internet ends up using digital and individual entrepreneurship at the same time. Another example is the case of countless entrepreneurs who end up coming together to carry out an environmental project, as they combine social and cooperative entrepreneurship.

So, the choice will depend on your interests and your entrepreneurial profile, and you may fit into several forms of entrepreneurship. The ideal is to think calmly and analyze all the factors before starting a business, so that you don’t have problems in the future or regret the choice you made.

What qualities does a successful entrepreneur need to possess?

Knowledge of the different types of entrepreneurs does not suffice. What a businessman requires to become effective is a series of traits that can better provide conditions to realize the objectives of establishing the business. It requires a person to be motivated when problems and obstacles arise, to be creative enough in order to overcome all these challenges.

Of course, when considering the technical side of the business, knowledge of preparing a good business plan, plan and then control the finances of the company, know how to manage the inventory of the company, and finally how to act effectively in the market. In addition, the importance of not forgetting that marketing is extremely necessary technical knowledge. All companies should know how to promote themselves in the market. If this is not known, then reaching out to new customers and raising good sales will not be achieved.

To achieve this, the ideal is to invest in courses for entrepreneurs, participate in events, talk to people who are already entrepreneurs, in short, seek knowledge to be able to improve and achieve the much desired success.

You are now aware of the main types of entrepreneurship and how to choose one which better aligns with your interest. Remember that if you’re after a successful business, then make sure that you’ll have a competitive advantage in that market, including solutions on the basis of problems from the products or services you offer.