8/25/2019

In lean manufacturing, one of the core tenets of the production process is to complete ALL of the steps for one batch before moving on to the next. For example, let's say that you have 10 dining room tables to build. Traditional production process would suggest that you build some sort of assembly line and tackle one task at a time: first, you make the legs; then, you build the tops; then, you attach the legs to the tops. Sounds efficient, right? Lean manufacturing turned this concept on its head by counterintuitively proving, time and again, that in fact, building one full table at a time is actually faster (depending on the product, up to 60% faster!) and more efficient. This concept blew people's minds, but consistently holds true in -- literally -- all cases.

If you're thinking about hiring an agency to help you with consulting, change management, or even digital marketing, consider this: how might the agency be operating like the old, inefficient manufacturer?

I spent the majority of my career in agencies or agency-like environments, experiencing first-hand how they operate. To get a brand-new client, an agency employs a sales team. This team either responds to RFPs, cold calls, or networks their way into a meeting with the company seeking help. The sales team will then meet the company where they are located, usually with a fancy PowerPoint presentation in hand, to talk all about their agency and why they are best suited to offer assistance. If the client agrees, the sales team back away and hands the whole process over to legal and procurement. These teams negotiate contracts, and it can often require several weeks or months before a formal agreement is executed. Once that is ready, the project is then handed off to some sort of onboarding team, who interacts with the client for the first time and aligns both groups on the work that needs to be done. Agencies typically smoosh traditional, assembly-line manufacturing practices into their service models in this manner.

Now, suppose you could do something a little bit differently by hiring a small-batch consultant: start with a plan and approach in-hand; discuss the project with the key stakeholders and primary delivery team during the sales process; easily and seamlessly sign a contract in record time using modern technologies; get to work the same moment in which you agree to work together. During the sales process, maybe you even work together to come up with a better approach than the first one that was presented. The entire consulting team shifts, with no additional time or communication necessary. The team you need is already on the job.

At Insight DCS, we operate as a small-batch partner, maximizing efficiency so you can get results faster. We do this not only to better serve our customers, but to ensure that we are engaging in true partnerships. This so-called "small-batch consulting" requires that we are partnering with you during each and every step of your journey, and that you aren't waiting weeks or months to get results. And given the success and satisfaction we're seen with our customers, I think it's safe to say that this model works.

If you're interested in learning more about our lean consulting approach and how it can help you business -- or even if you just want to pick our brains about the concept of small-batch consulting -- we'd love to hear from you! Leave us a comment, fill out a form, or visit us on Facebook and LinkedIn. We look forward to your feedback!