Are you often chasing your tail trying to get your quotes out on time?
Maybe you are so busy that you send your quote late or don’t even quote at all.
This becomes a real problem and costs you business if you’re trying to win new business or trying to get someone to do repeat business with you.
You see, how timely you get your quotes to your customer or prospect reflects on your business. In fact, if you deliver your quotes on time (or better still earlier), then you’ll win more business.
So how do you get your quotes out faster? Here are 4 things that can help
1) Triage your quotes
Just like in an emergency department, it’s essential to prioritize your quotes. You need to work out “how important is this case? How urgent is it? How quickly do you need to be seen to?”
Remember, not all quotes are created equal. Make sure you’re doing quotes that actually fit your skillset, your capability, and your timeframes. By focusing your time and effort on quotes that truly matter, you can speed up the process and deliver good quotes. Learn to decline or swiftly handle less important quotes to maximize your efficiency.
2) Document Your Quoting Process
You’ll waste time if you are working steps as you go on the fly or doing things from memory. By writing down the steps you’ll be able to work out the best path to get your quotes out and make sure you have everything you need to get your quotes out faster.
To document your process, simply write down each step that happens when a person requests a quote. This could be done as a flowchart or simply writing down the key steps. The key is to document the whole process that you go through. This provides a strong foundation for making your quoting process more efficient.
3) Set Time Standards So You Get Your Quotes Out Faster
Understanding how long it takes to prepare a quote is key to improving your efficiency. Measure the time it takes for different types of quotes and establish average timeframes.
Instead of rushing to deliver quotes as quickly as possible, set realistic time expectations for your clients. If you know that the typical quote can be done in three days, promise them five days and then deliver it in three. By under-promising and overdelivering, you enhance customer satisfaction and build trust. Aim to shorten your quote preparation time while giving out high quality quotes.
4) Make your quoting process more efficient
Next, look at the processes behind each step. By making each step more efficient you will get your quotes out faster. Too often our quotes are taking long to get out because things are too cluttered or too complicated. You need to identify ways that make it more leveraged. Identify the things you could in place which will save you time at each step. For example, you may want to do things like:
- Having easy access to your materials list or your product list to make pricing easier
- Using a templated format for your quote
- List of subcontractors
- Set up a spreadsheet calculator to assist in preparing your quotes
- By doing this, you’ll be able to do more quotes, get your quotes out faster and you’ll end up winning more business.
Make sure for each step you have everything you need in such a way that it’s quick and easy for you to quote.
Identify the areas of your quoting process that consume the most time. Find ways to work smarter and improve efficiency.
Remember, investing time in systemising your quoting process will pay off in increased productivity and reduced quoting time.
Getting your quotes out faster not only boosts your chances of winning new business but also reflects positively on your overall business performance. Take control of your quoting process today and enjoy the benefits of timely and professional proposals.
By doing this, you’ll be able to do more quotes, get your quotes out faster and you’ll end up winning more business.
