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Most businesses are extremely inefficient. McKinsey estimates that employees spend 1.8 hours a day (or 9.3 hours a week!) searching and gathering information. They also found that in most jobs, one-third of tasks can be automated but aren't. According to Forrester, 60-73% of enterprise data is unused by analytics[1]. So, if you're worried about inefficient business processes, you're not alone. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't start working on your process improvements today.
Every dollar trapped in inefficient processes is a dollar that could be driving your growth. Smart businesses are discovering that their NAV and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central systems can do far more than basic record-keeping. When fully utilized, these platforms can significantly enhance profitability. The difference between basic functionality and optimized performance isn't just operational - it shows up directly on your bottom line.
With this in mind, let's tackle process improvement head-on. New View Strategies will show you why and how you should leverage Business Central to boost your efficiency.
Process improvement means transforming your business operations to become more efficient, more effective, and ultimately more profitable. When it comes to Business Central, effective process improvement focuses on identifying opportunities that drive real business value.
Many businesses resist process improvement projects. While they acknowledge the benefits (reduced errors, streamlined tasks, and smoother workflows), they often cling to familiar – albeit inefficient – processes. This reluctance stems from a fear of disruption, potential downtime, and the perceived complexity of implementing change. Why change something that works? Well, because working well enough isn't the same as working.
Effective process improvement means:
Luckily, process improvement within Business Central can be surprisingly straightforward. With the right guidance and a phased approach, you can implement changes incrementally, minimizing disruption and maximizing the return on your investment.
Sometimes, the best way to understand what a system can do for your business is to look at a real-world example. We helped one company achieve massive efficiency gains through Business Central process improvement. Let's take a look.
A manufacturing company's finance department faced a critical challenge: their month-end closing process took an eye-watering 45 days to complete. Their existing system was a patchwork of enterprise software cobbled together with 13 different add-on products, creating a complex web of integration and reconciliation tasks. This fragmented approach didn't just slow things down - it paralyzed the organization's ability to make data-driven decisions.
The impact was severe. By the time financial reports were finally produced, the data was already a month and a half old. Business leaders couldn't respond to financial trends because they were always looking at old data. The next fiscal period would be nearly over before they even understood the performance of the previous one. This reporting lag had a devastating effect on the finance team's credibility. Rather than being viewed as strategic partners, they became perceived as an expensive cost center that added little value to the organization.
The root causes were complex:
The company set an ambitious goal: to reduce their month-end close from 45 days to just three. They would implement this transformation concurrently with a new Business Central (formerly NAV) implementation, replacing their patchwork of systems with a single, integrated solution.
The transformation strategy centered on three fundamental pillars that drove sustainable change throughout the organization, each playing a crucial role in the journey from 45 to 3-day closing.
The first pillar of our improvement journey for this company was dynamic planning. Recognizing the limitations of traditional static schedules, we implemented a unique approach: a closing schedule that progressively contracted over time. Each task was meticulously assigned to individuals with interconnected deadlines, creating a seamless workflow. This flexibility proved invaluable, allowing the company to navigate unexpected challenges like staff absences or vacations without derailing progress.
Furthermore, the company embraced transparency. Publicly sharing the ambitious three-day closing goal not only set clear expectations but also positioned the finance team as leaders within the broader ERP implementation project. This transparency fostered accountability and fostered a sense of shared ownership. As the closing window tightened, the schedule served as a protective shield, shielding the team from competing priorities and ensuring unwavering focus on achieving their target.
Process transformation focused on three key areas: reducing approval bottlenecks, increasing automation, and shifting time-sensitive tasks earlier in the cycle. Working with the company, our team meticulously analyzed each approval requirement, questioning whether it added value or merely created delays. They identified opportunities for automation, particularly in areas prone to manual errors. Critical tasks were restructured to occur before the closing period, preventing last-minute bottlenecks.
The most demanding aspect of the transformation was shifting deeply ingrained organizational mindsets. The team tackled this through several strategic initiatives:
It was a success! The company significantly reduced their month-end close time from a lengthy 45 days to just three. This dramatic improvement transformed how the entire organization operated. Financial reports evolved from outdated historical documents into powerful tools for immediate action. With up-to-date data available within days, leaders could proactively adjust the course and impact the next period's results.
It had a knock-on effect. This newfound agility sparked a surge in demand for financial data. Leaders eagerly anticipated reports, often checking in early for preliminary insights. The accounting team was no longer seen as a drain on company resources but as a strategic partner, empowering data-driven decisions across the organization.
This success story shows the power of consistent, incremental improvement. Each small victory fueled momentum, proving that significant organizational change doesn't require disruptive overhauls. In other words, you can achieve huge efficiency gains by starting small and deliberate.
The key to successful process improvement isn't just about making things faster - it's about understanding where speed creates real business value. Start by building your "If I Had It Earlier" list to identify where delayed information is genuinely holding your business back.
Ask yourself:
Map out each delayed process and its impact. For example, if sales performance data takes 45 days to process, you're making pricing and inventory decisions based on two-month-old information. By the time you spot a struggling product line or emerging opportunity, the market has moved on.
Quantify the impact where possible. For our sales example, the impact would be:
The goal isn't speed for speed's sake - it's enabling better business decisions through timely insights. Each day you reduce from your closing cycle is another day your organization can act on current information rather than historical data.
Start small but think big. Identify quick wins that can demonstrate value and build momentum for larger changes. Remember, the most successful transformations often begin with a clear understanding of where faster information flow will create tangible business benefits.
New View Strategies doesn’t just implement solutions – we become trusted partners in your Business Central and NAV transformation journey. We understand the impact of delayed reports, manual workarounds, and process bottlenecks on your bottom line and want to help you eliminate them.
Our team has decades of experience guiding finance and operations teams from cost centers to strategic business partners. We've tackled the same challenges you face and developed proven methodologies that deliver measurable results. Whether you're struggling with month-end close, battling inefficient workflows, or looking to unlock your system's full potential, we provide practical solutions that make a lasting difference.
What sets us apart? We make the process enjoyable. Our team brings a straight-talking, experiential approach, fostering a positive and productive environment.
If you're ready to get started, you can watch our companion YouTube video on business process improvement or visit GetYourNewView.com to schedule a 30-minute consultation.
