Starting with one area: how to pick yours
lamp covers 15 common paths that work takes through a business. You do not need to switch them all on. Here is how to pick the first one.
What an area is
Work in a business does not stay in one department. An enquiry becomes a quote. The quote becomes an order. The order needs material, then making, then dispatch, and then a bill that has to be paid.
We call each of these paths a value stream. lamp covers 15 common ones. They sit in four groups:
- winning orders
- making and delivering
- money in and money out
- keeping things running
You will recognise your own business in them. The details differ from one business to another, but the paths are familiar.
You do not need to switch them all on
It is tempting to try everything at once. We suggest the opposite. Starting with one area is easier for lamp and for your team than switching everything on together.
In the first weeks lamp will ask more questions, because that is how it learns how you work. With one area the questions are about one thing, and you can answer them in a word.
Three questions to pick the first one
Where does money wait? If invoices are paid late, or you find out about a problem only when cash is tight, start with the money-in path. It is the clearest to measure.
Where do you get the most calls? If the day starts with customers asking where their order is, start with orders and delivery. Fewer calls is a quick sign it is working.
What slips when you are away? If a reminder is missed or a reorder is forgotten when you are busy or travelling, that is the path that depends too much on you. Start there.
Write down your answers. Usually one of the three stands out.
Common first picks
Getting paid on time. lamp finds who owes you, drafts a reminder for each, and tells you who to call first. See how it looks.
Order to delivery. You forward a photo of a purchase order. lamp reads it, checks the rate and the stock, and drafts what comes next. See how it looks.
When the first one feels routine, add the next. Most owners know which one it should be by then.
Where it is still early
One area at a time works better. That is our advice, not a limit. We are still learning which order suits which kind of business best.
Not every path is equally mature. The two examples above are the ones we have written about in full. If your first choice is another path, ask us when you request an invite and we will tell you honestly how ready it is.
It is invite only. The next batch starts in November.
Questions owners ask
What is a value stream?
It is a path that work takes through a business. For example, an enquiry becomes a quote, then an order, then a delivery, then a payment.
How many are there?
lamp covers 15 common ones. They sit in four groups: winning orders, making and delivering, money in and money out, and keeping things running.
Do I have to switch them all on?
No. We suggest you start with one. Add the next when your team is comfortable.
Which one do most owners start with?
Getting paid on time is a common first choice, because the cost of a late payment is easy to see.
Can I change my mind later?
Yes. You can add more areas over time, and you can pause lamp at any time.