Running a business is a constant balancing act—juggling priorities, firefighting issues, and trying to keep your team on track. But what if you could achieve meaningful improvements without overhauling your entire operation? The answer lies in quick wins—small, practical changes that create momentum and deliver results fast.
Here’s how you can use simple routines to boost your business performance, based on proven methods from ‘Every Business Needs a Routine’.
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1. Start Your Day with a Team Huddle
A brief daily meeting—no more than 10 minutes—sets the tone for the day. Focus on:
- Yesterday’s wins and lessons
- Today’s top priorities
- Any roadblocks needing attention
This habit improves communication, surfaces issues early, and keeps everyone aligned.
2. Use RAG Trackers for Clarity
A Red-Amber-Green (RAG) tracker is a visual way to monitor key metrics and spot trouble before it escalates. Update it daily or weekly—whichever suits your pace. It helps teams focus on what matters and take action before problems grow.
3. Make Process Improvements Bite-Sized
Don’t aim for perfection overnight. Instead, pick one small process to tidy up each week. For example:
- Streamline a form
- Clarify a handover step
- Remove an unnecessary approval
Quick wins build confidence and show your team that improvement is achievable.
4. Standardise Success
Capture what works—whether it’s a checklist, template, or simple set of instructions. Share it with your team so everyone benefits from best practices, not just the “star performers”.
5. Celebrate Progress
Acknowledge even the smallest improvements. A quick thank you in a meeting or a note on the noticeboard goes a long way. Recognition fuels momentum and encourages more positive change.
Remember: You don’t need grand gestures to move the needle. By embedding simple routines and focusing on quick wins, you create a culture of continuous improvement—one step at a time.
Want more practical tips? Check out ‘Every Business Needs a Routine’ for a step-by-step guide to making improvement easy.
About the author:
Giles Johnston is a Chartered Engineer who specialises in helping businesses to grow and improve through better business processes and embracing Kaizen.
Giles is also the author of Effective Root Cause Analysis and 'What Does Good Look Like?'.