Friday 16 December 2016

Optimizing Business Efficiency: Recommended SCM Solutions

A business owner or manager must know everything going on in his company, and should have easy access to pertinent information. He or she should get a good look at environments both internal and external to the business. That is where supply chain management comes in, since it mainly involves the oversight of materials, information, logistics, and finances upon which entire operations and production rests. SCM traces the path of such materials from the supplier to the business, from wholesaler to retailer, and finally, the consumer.

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The entire concept is simple, but in practice, it is mired in details and a surfeit of information. CEOs often struggle with handling supply chain methods. Furthermore, they are not always equipped with the necessary information to compute increasing profitability within the supply chain. For this reason, supply chain management software has been created and developed.

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Image Source: forbes.com

There are numerous supply chain management software in the market for SMEs, but among them, the most recommended would be Oracle, Blue Ridge, and GAINsystems. Oracle offers an impressive and comprehensive repertoire, with over 420,000 customers and deployments in more than 145 countries. Included in their package is the E-Business Suite, ERP, and retail offerings.

Blue Ridge, meanwhile, is a cloud-based planning platform, making it a favorite among retailers and distributors. They determine customer demand forecasts with the bonus of creating a precise plan of meeting demands. GAINSystems uses an advanced planning and profit optimization method with their technology which will allow businesses to identify improvements and adopt these, with room for adjustments and transitions.

Edmund O' Brien is the CEO of the Americas at Arvato Bertelsmann. He oversees the multibillion-dollar BPO services (including SCM, CRM, financial and IT solutions) provider's operations in several countries. For similar articles, visit this page.

Monday 17 October 2016

Developing a Good CRM Strategy

A critical part of financial success is customer relationship management or CRM. This applies to all industries. Many economists emphasize the importance of developing a good CRM strategy. Below are a few suggestions.

Understanding the target market: The first and most important step in any strategy is to know who it is being made for. As the name suggests, CRM requires building a solid relationship with customers. This can only be done when there is at least a basic understanding of one’s target market. Different industries have different markets. Businessmen should carefully understand who they are selling to and those that actually buy their specific product or service.

Image Source: venturebeat.com

Maintain adaptability through KPIs and KRAs: CRM solutions are often associated with the development of the business’ KRAs (key result areas) and KPIs (key performance indicators). The relationship implies that CRM strategies have to be adaptable. Entrepreneurs have to continually review their performances and how well they are managing their customers. Policies and procedures that are no longer helpful should be revised or removed immediately.

Think integration: Industries should consider optimizing technologies. Today’s society runs on speed and information. It is critical for clients to feel that their concerns are being handled immediately. Thus, businesses should be able to address issues as soon as they are received. This can only be done with the proper IT solutions. Companies should not only think big; they should think wide.

One good suggestion would be to seek the assistance of an expert in these kinds of procedures. Then an effective and customized CRM strategy can be formulated.

Image Source: venturebeat.com

Eddie O’Brien worked at Microsoft for more than a decade as part of its executive team. He is now the CEO of Americas of Arvato Bertelsmann, handling many areas of business success, including developing CRM solutions. To learn more, follow this Twitter account.

Wednesday 12 October 2016

The Accountant's Toolbox: Apps For Working Efficiently

Back in the day, an accountant's bosom companion was his ledger and a calculator. That still meant long hours poring over numbers until they were swimming before one's eyes. Even when accounting software started becoming the standard, it still took some skill to learn and master these. Nowadays, thanks to technological advancements, accountants have better tools for accomplishing their tasks more quickly, accurately, and efficiently. 

One such example is Freshbooks, a cloud-based accounting app that makes expense management, invoicing, and the like easier because of feature automation and collaboration capabilities. Freshbooks can be used risk-free for 30-days before one has to pay a monthly fee. 

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Another one that's worth looking at is the online bookkeeping app Xero. This positively-reviewed accounting tool allows users to follow their cash flow in real time, thereby allowing the users to conduct their business anywhere they can connect to the Internet. Like the previously mentioned Freshbooks, Xero can be used free for a month but will come with a monthly fee thereafter. 

For those who prefer free accounting software, Wave is one of the most popular options. While many "freemium" apps limit what their users can do unless they pay for features, Wave comes with a number of useful abilities for free such as being able to import transaction data securely and automatically generate professional-looking reports. And it can do all of these without a cap on the number of customers or reports. 

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Of course, along with all these, one shouldn't neglect the tool that's been around for so long and remains to be the industry standard, Microsoft Excel. This is the tool by which most accountants cut their teeth, and it's still widely used today because of its stability and usefulness. And like its younger brethren, Excel can also be used in newer gadgets like tablets and mobile phones. 

Eddie O'Brien is a certified public accountant who earned his degree at the University of Cork. Follow this Google+ page for updates about accounting and working for multinational companies.

Wednesday 14 September 2016

The Key Takeaways From a Multinational Corporation Career

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Working for a multinational company is a privilege. There’s a reason the very process of getting into one seems to be so rigid. It’s probably the only process that filters out the best talent there is in the world, only to turn them into much better individuals.

Many who have earned their stripes in multinational corporations have chosen to take the independent route and build companies of their own. They are equally successful, thanks to some key takeaways from their careers.

It is typical of this individual to have a widened range in shifting from micro to macro perspectives. Working for a company that engages the market from the local, regional, and continental spheres allows one to make sense of certain events as opportunities for growth. They can make quick decisions that are based on solid understanding.

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It has been observed from among those with a multinational background to have a high acumen for problem-solving. It would appear that such an environment rests an amount of pressure on the individual for him to develop creative approaches to predicaments out there in the field.

Those who have come from multinational corporations bring with them a certain amount of credibility. When they speak up, people listen to them intently, and when they direct, people follow. They are essentially the charioteers of today’s modern economies.

Edmund O’Brien is the CEO of the Americas at Arvato Bertelsmann. He is the successful overseer of a multibillion-dollar BPO enterprise, with much thanks to his experience in the global arena. To learn more about him, follow this LinkedIn page.




Tuesday 12 July 2016

Looking Up: How Cloud Computing Helps Businesses Thrive

For most businesses, efficiency is the name of the game. Achieving goals while minimizing costs and waste is a general directive. The advent of technological solutions to manage businesses has boosted both operational and cost efficiency among businesses.

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Cloud computing has taken the business world by storm recently. Through the Internet, a network of remote servers can be used to manage information, which benefits companies through the following:

Collaboration
Human capital is as important as any resource in an organization. Providing a system that increases and encourages team work will increase productivity and aid towards hitting targets. Communication, file sharing, and workflow are all undertaken in real time and with more transparency.

Business continuity
Cloud computing has curbed data disasters resulting from natural calamities, power crises, and security breaches. With important data safely backed up and protected in the cloud, downtime and loss of productivity can be minimized.

Cost reduction
Managing and maintaining IT systems, which are now a necessity in most business models, now has a viable and affordable alternative. Operating and capital expenditures can be reduced thanks to the elimination of expensive system hardware or software upgrades, expert personnel, excess energy consumption, and cost of time delays.

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Edmund O’Brien is currently the CEO of the Americas at Arvato Bertelsmann after having worked in multiple countries for many international corporations, including Coca-Cola and Microsoft, among others. Learn more about technological and business strategies when you visit this website.

Thursday 30 June 2016

Why Small Businesses Should Consider Outsourcing

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Many beginner entrepreneurs are looking for wise ways to save money while getting the work done. Lack of manpower is always an issue when it comes to startups, but a lot of business owners impulsively hire people they won’t be needing in the long run. Thanks to business process outsourcing (BPO) providers, a lot of small businesses operate without having too many staff members through outsourcing.

Outsourcing is the practice of hiring contractors (outside firms) to handle work that is usually done within a company. Many small businesses outsource services like accounting, computer or software support, payroll processing, and even marketing. Below are reasons small to medium-sized companies turn to outsourcing services.

Businesses can control capital costs

Outsourcing is an excellent choice for businesses since they can allocate their capital to other investments. It also allows businesses to avoid large spending in its early stages.

Staff members can work with efficiency

Because companies do not have to rely on staff members to do work that they do not specialize in, the organization as a whole becomes efficient. Companies can leave marketing, research, accounting, and other services to those who specialize in these tasks without having to micromanage. This can give the company a competitive advantage.

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Risks are reduced

Outsourcing providers will manage certain risks like marketing, financial conditions, and technology issues for the business owner. They are also better at deciding on how to avoid these from happening since they are the experts.

Learn more about the BPO services industry when you follow this Edmund O’Brien blog.







Monday 23 May 2016

Crm Software Strategy Improvement: Recommendations From The Experts

Customer relationship management (CRM) is a business discipline wherein companies determine practices, strategies, and technologies that they can use to manage and analyze customer behaviors. Its main goal is to improve the overall relationship between the customers and the business, develop customer loyalty to increase retention, and ultimately, drive significant sales growth.

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Customer relationship management is a panoply of strategies, one of which is installing a CRM software. To gain even better results, managers can maneuvers around their current and proposed business strategies as basis for improvements.

Effective use of CRM can be in the form of a reward system, which gives extra credit to those exercising the full operation of the program. Shifting the metric focus from efficiency to effectiveness will also benefit the CRM platform because the effectiveness metric differentiates brands while singling out the products that satisfy the customers.

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It is also important to recognize the problems between the products and the customers and the opportunities that are available from a three-dimensional standpoint. Operational modifications to the CRM software are inadequate.

Finally, customers who are open to company forums and online communities (driven mainly by positive experience) will further enrich the CRM driver because such platforms can be used as an extension for the program. This can lead to a domino effect where an established satisfied customer pool stimulates an even bigger satisfaction rating.

Edmund O' Brien is the CEO of the Americas at Arvato Bertelsmann, a BPO company that offers a wide range of cutting-edge services, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Follow this link for more details on the company.

Thursday 12 May 2016

Three Skills Every Digital Entrepreneur Should Learn

There are many skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur. One of the more important aspects is adaptability. Every great entrepreneur understands that the ability to adapt is what separates the great from the mediocre. This involves knowing current trends and societal sensibilities. For today’s entrepreneur, this means understanding digital technology. There are three skills to note:

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Honesty: Digital technology is a vast field. Entrepreneurs should understand that it is impossible to learn all digital skills. They should consider specializing in only one or two skills and then build a network of people who are competent in other skills. This is how successful companies are built. The core competencies of the main group encompass as many subjects under digital technology as possible. The concept of being the “Jack of all trades” is a nice but fairly unrealistic goal.

Patience: People often misconstrue technology as an avenue wherein everything happens instantly. This is true – only when everything is already set-up. Starting companies all undergo the same challenges, and this means experiencing setbacks and delays. This applies in particular to companies that are dealing with a newer type of technology. There is no room for error in the digital arena, so it is best to take things slow and steady.

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Secrecy: Initially contradictory to the first point, but digital entrepreneurs understand that technology is easier stolen than something that is tangible. A good (and potentially financially rewarding) concept will draw the attention of potential thieves. Entrepreneurs should practice failsafe plans to ensure that their technology is patented and protected.

Above all things, digital entrepreneurs should understand that the best teacher is experience. There is such a thing as over-planning. The best way to achieve success with one’s idea is to try it out. Edmund O’Brien became the successful IT executive he is today by persevering and constantly educating himself on technological and business strategies. Learn more by following this Twitter account.

Tuesday 1 March 2016

Cloud Strategizing for Small Businesses

Most large-scale businesses have made the transition years ago to cloud computing. As use of the latter becomes common in majority of industries, small business enterprises also want in on the infrastructure. Tasks such as tracking purchases and sales, monitoring workload, and other forms of reporting are being done through the ubiquitous cloud. But as the number of cloud adopters grows, there are still some hesitating to make the switch. To conquer these doubts, businesses desiring the new structure have to make the necessary preparations and list down their areas of concern.

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Security concerns and connection stability comprise some of the major issues. To lessen their reservations, businesses must get cloud services from a reliable provider boasting a wide portfolio of client types. Businesses unprepared for full cloud implementation could use Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) initially to accommodate all the tasks to be done remotely. This doesn’t require much installation; instead, users can access all the programs via the Internet.

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Strategizing is important for offices and businesses using cloud computing. Before making the necessary changes, the staff and the management must be equipped so that they can effectively do all their work online. Though the initial stages may take familiarization, their benefits will be realized in time. Cloud computing allows work to be done remotely, cutting travel time and work hours in half. It also facilitates collaboration and expands connections. With these advantages, switching to the structure is a wise move for any kind of business.

Eddie O’Brien is currently Arvato Bertelsmann’s regional CEO in the Americas with extensive experience in industry-leading brands, including Microsoft. His global experience and expertise have proven his ability to drive major global divisions and business initiatives. For more information about his work, follow this blog.

Thursday 25 February 2016

Move with the World: Building an International Executive Career

A graduate of the University of Cork, Eddie O'Brien began his professional life as a certified public accountant at Arthur Anderson, a move which would eventually kick-start a career that would take him beyond the shores of his native Ireland. His worldwide business journey continued, working with Coca Cola's division in Romania and later, Reckitt Benckiser in the Czech Republic.

He would later move on to software giant Microsoft, where he would spend 15 years of his career in many different executive positions in the company. His time with the software giant began in Dublin, Ireland, in 1999, where he served as general manager of Commercial Operations for EMEA.



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He would hold even more leadership posts upon to moving to Microsft’s headquarters in Redmond in 2003, where he handled functions as diverse as sales, marketing, operations, key account management, channel management, and customer experience. His stint with the firm culminated in his promotion to Vice President, World Wide Operator Channel, where he was responsible for the overall financial growth of the Windows ecosystem. He held this position until 2014.

O'Brien then moved to Arvato Bertelsmann, a longtime Microsoft partner, where he is currently in charge of the company's operations in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America.

In his tenure as chief executive in the Americas, he has been at the forefront of multiple projects as well as consistently exceeding revenue and EBIT targets. His projects include a new LT, spearheaded the development of critical customer relationships, formulated a long-term growth strategy, and oversaw the opening of a new technologically advanced headquarters in Los Gatos in the Silicon Valley.

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 Today an American citizen, he resides with his wife, Nicole, and sons in Bellevue, Washington.

For more information on Eddie O'Brien and his career highlights, visit this LinkedIn page.