Create Your Own Company Dashboard - desktop widget

Create Your Own Company Dashboard - desktop widget
By Randal Roberts
Have you ever thought about developing a dashboard for your company? You know, like the dashboard in your vehicle? With the development of computers and the many different kinds of software systems that help small businesses, maybe now is the time to create a dashboard for you, as the manager and owner of your business. It is not all that difficult.

As you drive down the road, right there in front of you, is your car's dashboard. It tells you everything that is going on within your vehicle and the trip that you are taking. It has your speed and how far you have traveled. It shows how much fuel is remaining. It can show you if your battery is charging, the temperature of your engine, the direction you are going, the outside temperature, what you are listening to on the radio or CD, and many more things depending on how your vehicle is equipped. These things are all very helpful. Sometimes you do not need the information and sometimes you do. But when you need to know how a certain system is functioning, the information is right there in front of you.

What is important for you to know in your business? There are many different pieces of information in your business depending on the type of business you have. Here are some ideas. Maybe your dashboard will show you how much cash you have in the bank or how much inventory you have. Maybe it can show you your sales volume, completed or pending sales? Are your accounts receivables a bit of a worry? Put that on your dashboard. Does worker productivity mean anything to you? Go ahead and add it. How about your sales force. How many sales calls did they make last week? How many appointments are scheduled this week? Are your accounts payable current? What bills are due, pending or coming due this week? You can add this. The list can go on and on depending on what you want or need to know to have a handle on your business affairs.

There are some accounting software systems that will create a dashboard for you. Some will even let you modify the dashboard to your needs. This is great but there could be some bits of information that you want but that is not part of the software package. This is when you need to be creative. Maybe an office worker can help you develop the information and how to get it on your dashboard. I do not know for sure, but I would guess that there is a consultant out there who can develop a dashboard for your company.

Find a way to make the dashboard as accessible as possible. Get it to your laptop or on a piece of paper you carry with you. It can fit on your cell phone or your iPad. Once you have developed a dashboard, use it. Keep it updated. It can become your best friend and help you avoid sleepless nights. You can know in an instant where you are and what you should focus on to improve your small business. Good luck.

Randal Roberts has over 30 years of commercial and international banking experience. He has helped more than 2,500 different companies with their businesses. He is willing to help you find the resources you need to start your own business or improve the one that you already have. Visit