Streamlining Operations: A Small Business Success Story

As a small business owner, wearing many hats is part of the job. One critical area of focus is operations. When we took over our neighborhood bar, it was clear that the existing processes needed a serious overhaul.

Our Challenges:

• No established ordering processes
• Distributors placing incorrect orders
• Disorganized walk-in cooler and liquor cabinets
• No inventory tracking
• Excessive and unnecessary stock
• Pricing not based on alcohol cost
• Manual check payments for deliveries

Our Solutions:

1. Establish Inventory and Par Levels: We began by setting up inventory and par levels for all our products, including supplies like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, mixers, food, snacks, lemons, and limes. We track everything using Google Drive to maintain accurate records.
2. Organize and Optimize: Our cooler, liquor cabinets, and back stock were reorganized for better efficiency. We included supplies in our par levels to ensure consistency.
3. Automate Payments: Setting up autopay for our distributors eliminated the need to write checks for each delivery.
4. Take Control of Ordering: We took over the ordering process using online platforms, reducing the number of products ordered and sold, and established pricing based on cost.
5. Consistent Supply Management: Weekly shopping for supply items and alcohol orders became consistent, saving us time and effort while ensuring we rarely run out of anything.
6. Leverage Credit: Applying for a business credit card allowed us to pay for as much as possible with it, earning cashback and streamlining our finances.
7. Communication and Tracking: A whiteboard in our bar helps staff and us track low inventory items and distributor delivery days.

These changes have not only saved us time and effort but also ensured we have an accurate inventory of all the products we sell. By simplifying and adding processes, we've freed up time to focus on what truly matters—serving our customers and growing our business.

Think about areas in your business where you can simplify, add a process or system, and free up time for yourself. #SmallBusiness #Operations #Efficiency #InventoryManagement #BusinessGrowth