Gauging Business Performance – 4 Factors To Monitor Today

Over time professionals and entrepreneurs have devised multiple strategies and policies to enhance their business performance and output.

Every business requires proper planning to keep an eye on the performance parameters. The attainment of business goals depends on the bonafide functionality of its departments. It is essential to measure the performance of these departments to monitor business growth and progress.

Many business persons emphasize the analysis of non-financial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). However, at higher levels, financial performance is an essential element. 

Moreover, it is essential to track business performance to avoid uncertainties and losses in the long run. The constantly changing market trends force businesses to monitor and evaluate the working of their core operations.

Therefore, business metrics are developed based on specific goals and outcomes to assess and track business processes’ status. 

Why do we need to measure business performance?

It is crucial to measure business performance because of the following reasons:

• To balance profits, growth, and expansion

• To align the organizational goals with the operations

• To balance short term objectives with long-term growth opportunities

• To ensure employee contribution and reward accordingly

Business performance management systems are critical for thriving in a highly competitive environment. These systems help to monitor the activities and make decisions within the required time frames. 

However, business professionals must possess the necessary insight to gauge business performance. They must have sound knowledge for determining which performance areas matter and which are less critical. Therefore, employees must possess the relevant skillsets vital for defining key performance indicators for their departments/business units.

For this purpose, employees can opt for online MBA no GMAT required programs to enhance their skillsets and business acumen. Such degrees help employees understand and strategize the business objectives. 

Now, let’s see the significant factors to monitor to gauge business performance:

1. Customer Satisfaction

Customer satisfaction is measurable in terms of customer experience. It is vital to deliver quality services because a positive experience generates good reviews. Most importantly, it builds brand loyalty. Customers who develop attitudinal brand loyalty are less price sensitive. Ultimately, they will buy more from you, increasing the customer lifetime value. 

Delighted customers generate positive word of mouth among their circles, which serves as your indirect promotion in the market. The predictors of customer satisfaction include:

• Overall quality delivered to fulfill customers’ expectations

• Customers repurchase in response to heightened loyalty

Customer satisfaction is also measurable through customer surveys, reviews, and feedback. Listen to the dissatisfied customers, and address their issues and concerns. Identify the drivers of satisfaction and work on their improvement to enhance the performance.

2. Measuring Profitability

Financial key performance indicators are critical factors to monitor, measure, and analyze the organization’s financial health. Money is equally important to all businesses, whether it is Apple Inc. or Toyota.

Financial statements such as income statements, balance sheets, cash flows, and annual reports are significant in determining its financial status. These statements include the following essential metrics to measure performance:

• Gross Profit Margin: Ratio that measures the percentage of revenue minus general and administrative costs

• Net Profit Margin: Ratio that measures the percentage of income attained against all net sales

• Working Capital: Business’s available resources to fund routine operations 

Hence, we can measure performance by comparing these ratios to those of other companies. 

3. Employee Satisfaction

Employee satisfaction is a measure of employee engagement and dedication towards the organization. It consists of several small components that contribute to overall staff contentment and happiness.

It also matters because it ensures that the team is committed to improving productivity. We have penned down the following factors contributing to job satisfaction.

• Respectful treatment at all levels

• Compensation and benefits

• Growth opportunities

• Education and training

• Job security

• Open communication at all levels

Satisfied employees are more productive, communicate better with colleagues, spread positive word of mouth about the organization, and have lesser absenteeism. You can measure employee satisfaction by carrying out one-to-one conversations and conducting surveys. 

4. Competitor Analysis

Competitor analysis involves assessing rivals and how they influence the performance of your company. While observing the market trends, businesses should collect both numerical and non-numerical data about the competitors.

Carrying out a SWOT analysis to evaluate your competitors’ performance is equally important. It helps in devising new strategies. Besides, it provides information about market trends and benchmarks for your financial performance. 

The numerical metrics to measure the Competitors Intelligence (CI) are competitors’ average sales cycle, average deal size, average discount offers, etc. Identifying these financial metrics enables the organizations to seek best practices and foster business growth.

Also, the significant non-numerical metrics involve assessing the competitor’s search engine traffic, social media pages, customer reviews, and frequency of new product launches. Monitoring your competitors will help you in dominating the market. As a pro tip, act as a consumer and track the changes in the competitor’s activities. 

Conclusion: Gauging business performance

As market conditions change, measuring your company’s performance becomes a crucial component of the business machinery. Eventually, deciding what and how to measure is problematic.

Once the KPIs are in place, it is easier to set objectives, develop strategies, and deliver on them. It will lead to an assessment of the progress and provide you with a business performance record for further development.