What Is Process Consulting? Understanding Business Consulting Process

Embarking on the journey of business excellence requires a strategic approach to overcome challenges and optimize operational efficiency. Businesses often struggle with inefficiencies and growth opportunities, making Business Process Improvement (BPI) a vital methodology. BPI serves as a dynamic compass for business leaders, guiding them to identify inefficiencies, enhance service quality, and streamline operations. However, navigating the intricacies of evaluating existing processes and addressing operational gaps can be overwhelming. This is where the expertise of business process consulting firms becomes indispensable. These external consultants specialize in researching and analyzing processes, providing businesses with tailored solutions without the need for extensive time investments. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the pros and cons of outsourcing BPI initiatives, showcasing the top consulting firms, and offering strategies for in-house process improvements. Join us on a transformative journey to unlock the potential of business process consulting and elevate your business to new heights.

What Is Process Consulting for Business Improvement?

Business Process Improvement (BPI) is an ongoing methodology empowering business leaders to pinpoint inefficiencies and unearth potential growth opportunities. Elevating performance in these areas translates to heightened service quality, enhanced efficiency, cost reduction, and overall streamlined corporate operations.

BPI serves as a compass for identifying your business’s primary value driver, attuning to client needs, fostering an environment of excellence, and selecting optimal tools for seamless operations.

Yet, if the demands of evaluating your existing business processes and addressing operational gaps seem daunting due to time constraints or lack of expertise, the solution lies in engaging a business process consulting firm.

A business process improvement consulting firm, acting as an external consultant, specializes in researching and analyzing the processes and systems within a business. This strategic partnership allows you to reap the benefits of improved processes and systems without the need for extensive time investments in independently assessing your company and workforce.

What Are the Pros & Cons of Outsourcing BPI?

External Business Process Improvement (BPI) consultants provide an impartial viewpoint on internal personnel, processes, and systems. These consultants present opportunities to automate and optimize various facets of operations, aiming for increased efficiency and profitability as ultimate objectives.

This approach mitigates the occurrence of human errors, concurrently elevating data streams for decision-makers. Nevertheless, this strategic move is not without its considerations. Hence, here’s a comprehensive examination of the pros and cons associated with outsourcing your BPI initiatives.

Pros

1.       No Need to Expand Your Workforce

Embracing outsourcing allows for the engagement of a consultant on a contractual basis, eliminating the need for permanent employee recruitment. This strategic decision not only results in significant resource savings but also expedites operational timelines. With the average cost per hire estimated at $4700 and the typical onboarding period lasting 12 weeks for a new employee to achieve full productivity, outsourcing proves to be a pragmatic and efficient alternative.

2.       Reducing Labor Costs

In the United States, around 300,000 jobs are outsourced annually, and businesses opt for this strategy for various reasons. A significant motive is the pursuit of lower labor costs. A study revealed that among the 62 percent of companies leveraging outsourcing to trim overhead, 38 percent acknowledged achieving a substantial 40 percent reduction in labor costs through this practice. Accessing a global talent pool simplifies the process of finding the right skills at an optimal price point.

3.       Expansive Talent Pool Accessibility

When it comes to hiring employees locally, the availability of suitable talent may be limited. However, opting for outsourcing to specialized firms provides access to a vast talent pool. Depending on the geographical distribution and the prevalence of remote roles, these consulting firms have the ability to tap into talents from different regions or even globally, relieving you from the intricacies of recruitment hassles.

Cons

1.       Navigating Communication Challenges

While not always prevalent, communication issues stand as a potential drawback. Key considerations include:

• Time Zone Alignment: Ensure your hiring consulting firm operates within the same time zone as yours.
• Communication Preferences: Verify if your preferred communication methods align with theirs.
• Internet Reliability: Confirm the consulting firm has a dependable internet connection.
• Availability: Clarify the hours during which they are accessible.

Addressing these concerns with clear answers is imperative for fostering a seamless and effective collaboration.

2.       Surrendering Control

Outsourcing involves losing a degree of control, despite the ability to provide specific instructions. The choice to engage a contractor rather than an employee is one factor contributing to this shift. Additionally, maintaining the desired level of control can pose challenges, especially when the consultant is not working on-site.

3.       Ensuring Quality Standards

While outsourcing offers numerous advantages, its effectiveness hinges on achieving the desired quality. Anything less may result in disappointment, with 20 percent of current outsourcing companies contemplating a withdrawal due to subpar services. Successful outsourcing is achievable, but it necessitates upfront discussions to establish and align on the expected quality standards.

Top 5 Consulting Firms to Check Out

Embracing outsourcing for business processes leads to significant cost reductions and heightened productivity, allowing focused attention on core business operations.

Here are the top 5 consulting firms for your consideration:

1.      Mobiz

Mobiz is an IT firm that offers robust business process consulting services. Based in the US, it is known for assisting companies through various consulting steps and consulting phases to achieve desired outcomes. Apart from business consulting process, Mobiz offers a broad range of IT services and solutions such as:

• Data and AI
• Cyber Security
• Cloud services
• ServiceNow
• Digital Workspace Solutions
• Advisory Services

2.      Infosys

In the realms of information technology and business process management, Infosys stands as a renowned name with a global reputation. This Indian enterprise specializes in elevating the digital agility of clients worldwide to enhance overall performance.

Key services offered by Infosys are:

• IT Consulting
• Analytics
• Automation
• Legal Process Consulting and Outsourcing
• Customer Service
• End-to-End (E2E) Outsourcing
• Accounting and Finance
• Digital Interactive Services
• HR Services

Infosys is dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions across these vital domains to meet the diverse needs of its clientele.

3.      Accenture

Accenture, a globally recognized brand, caters to numerous large-scale organizations, delivering a spectrum of services encompassing consulting, technology, and business operations. Boasting a workforce of over 500,000 professionals worldwide, Accenture stands as one of the largest professional services companies.

Key services offered by Accenture include the following:

• Cloud Services
• Security as a Service
• Supply Chain Services
• Business Strategy Services
• Technology Consulting
• IT Services
• Healthcare Management Consulting
• Digital Marketing Analytics
• Blockchain Solutions

Accenture’s expansive offerings reflect its commitment to providing diverse and cutting-edge solutions across various sectors.

4.      IBM

Leveraging its Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services, IBM plays a pivotal role in cultivating “intelligent” and “customized” workflows for businesses. Through the integration of Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation, IBM envisions a transformation of conventional business methods, fostering the enhancement of digital capabilities for businesses. With a current workforce exceeding 352,000 individuals, IBM remains at the forefront of innovation.

Here is the list of key services offered by IBM:

• Customer Care
• Risk Management
• HR Services
• Finance Transformation
• Automation
• Procurement Services
• Big Data
• Blockchain

IBM’s comprehensive services exemplify its commitment to redefining business processes and advancing digital solutions in today’s dynamic landscape.

5.      Cognizant

Cognizant, a multinational corporation headquartered in the US, is renowned for its innovative consulting and IT solutions. Catering to some of the world’s foremost businesses, including JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, Cognizant has established itself as a leader in the industry.

We have listed down the key services offered by Cognizant:

• Enterprise Services
• Quality Assurance & Engineering
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Digital Engineering
• Intelligent Process Automation
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Digital Strategy

With a commitment to providing cutting-edge technologies and strategic consulting process steps, Cognizant continues to be a pivotal player in delivering advanced solutions to its clientele.

How to Make Process Improvements In-House?

Here is a crafted step-by-step guide with strategies to aid you in improving in-house business processes:

1.      Identify Areas for Improvement

• Conduct a thorough process audit to pinpoint areas requiring change.
• Evaluate the impact of each process on your business and prioritize those with significant influence.

2.      Map Out the Process

• Document each step of the existing process, utilizing a detailed guide for a comprehensive understanding.
• Engage with team members involved in the process to avoid overlooking crucial aspects.
• Investigate each stage in-depth, considering hidden steps that might be crucial.

Note: While manual documentation may be time-consuming, consider efficient alternatives such as using videos to document important processes.

3.      Identify Bottlenecks & Areas for Improvement

• Analyze the process to identify bottlenecks and areas in need of improvement.
• Ask critical questions like which steps cause delays, worker frustrations, and what actions contribute to the most significant delays.
• Seek input from employees involved in the process to gather valuable insights.

4.      Outline the New Potential Process

• Develop solutions to eliminate identified bottlenecks.
• Conduct research on how competitors address similar issues.
• Brainstorm with the team, perform impact analysis on proposed concepts, and conduct risk analysis.
• Select the ideal solution considering implementation time and effectiveness.

5.      Implement the New Process

• Roll out the new process, ensuring effective communication with the team.
• Provide necessary training to team members adapting to the changes.

6.      Review

• Continuously monitor the performance of the new processes.
• Gather employee feedback to address any issues or questions.
• Document and analyze feedback to optimize processes further.

As you embark on the journey of process enhancement, this systematic approach, coupled with ongoing reviews and improvements, will contribute to the overall efficiency and success of your business processes.

Final Thoughts

Business Process Improvement (BPI) is an essential strategy for achieving operational excellence. While outsourcing to top consulting firms like Infosys, Accenture, IBM, Cognizant, or Mobiz offers advantages such as cost savings and access to global talent, in-house improvements require a systematic approach. By identifying areas for improvement, mapping out processes, addressing bottlenecks, outlining new potential processes, and implementing changes, businesses can continuously enhance efficiency and success. Join us on a transformative journey to unlock the full potential of business process consulting and elevate your business to new heights.