MANAGING INCREASED VOLUME FOR A LARGE CLIENT IN A PRINTING BUSINESS
I own a small printing business, and a large client has approached us with a long-term contract. However, I’m unsure if my team can handle the increased volume. I’m worried about scaling too fast and losing control over quality and timelines.
What should I do? Please advise using 7SFS.
Here’s how you can approach this situation using the 7 Steps Fulfilment System (7SFS):
1. CELEBRATE & BE GRATEFUL
Celebrate the fact that your printing business has attracted the interest of a large client offering a long-term contract. This is a testament to the quality of your work and presents a great opportunity for growth.
Be grateful for the opportunity to expand your business with a reliable, large-scale client. Recognise that this could lead to increased stability, revenue, and future business growth.
2 . ALIGN YOUR FULFILMENT VISION
Align this opportunity with your long-term vision for the business. Is growing your client base and handling larger contracts part of your growth strategy? Does this expansion support your goals of increased profitability and market presence?
Define specific goals for handling this contract, such as ensuring quality, managing the increased volume efficiently, and maintaining client satisfaction. Make sure these goals align with your team’s capacity and business vision.
3 . KNOW YOUR WIN
Success means fulfilling the increased volume while maintaining the high-quality standards that have earned your client’s trust. You want to scale in a way that doesn’t overwhelm your team or compromise timelines.
Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) such as project turnaround time, quality control, team workload, and profitability. These metrics will help you gauge whether the scaling process is manageable and sustainable.
4 . KNOW YOUR CLIENT'S WIN
Your large client expects consistent quality, timely deliveries, and efficient service. Their win is knowing that you can handle the increased volume without sacrificing these key elements
Reassure your client that you will maintain quality and meet their expectations, even with the larger volume. Set clear timelines and realistic expectations for both parties to avoid misunderstandings.
5 . SIGN WIN-WIN AGREGEEMENT OR NO DEAL
Assess whether your team and current equipment can handle the increased workload. Consider if you need to hire temporary staff, invest in additional equipment, or partner with a subcontractor to help manage the volume.
Work with your client to establish a timeline that balances their needs with your team’s capacity. This could involve negotiating staggered deliveries or implementing phased project deadlines to avoid overwhelming your team
6 . DELIVER WITH EXCELLENCE
Implement quality control measures to ensure that increased volume doesn’t lead to mistakes or rushed jobs. This could include adding checkpoints during the production process to monitor quality and timelines.
Look for ways to streamline operations to handle the extra volume, such as optimising workflows, automating processes, or adopting project management software. Ensuring efficiency can help your team handle the workload without compromising quality.
7.ACHIEVE WITH JOY
Celebrate the successful onboarding of your large client with your team. Recognise the effort it took to secure this contract and the opportunity it represents for your business’s growth and stability.
After completing a few phases of the contract, reflect on how well your team has managed the increased volume. Assess whether you need to make further adjustments in staffing, equipment, or processes to ensure long-term success.
By following these steps, you can confidently take on the large client’s contract, manage the increased workload, and scale your business without sacrificing quality or overwhelming your team. This method allows you to grow sustainably while ensuring client satisfaction.