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How to Build an Effective Service Company

Beatriz Muñoz Seca

Why do so many brilliant plans fail to deliver? What do you have to do to make things happen and make things right in services companies or service areas? Our teams require a new structured operational mindset that unifies improvement, promised service delivery and financial results.

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Why do so many brilliant plans fail to deliver? What do you have to do to make things happen and make things right in services companies or service areas? Our teams require a new structured operational mindset that unifies improvement, promised service delivery and financial results.

Just in time, Lean, Agile, Design Thinking... Are these movements familiar to you? Professor Muñoz-Seca has developed a framework that goes beyond these approaches: SPDM (Service Problem Driven Management) makes knowledge the corner stone of service efficiency and excellence. This new operational service structure is created to make your team overcome constant challenges and feel deeply involved in your service delivery. SPDM introduces a "magic formula" complementing these movements. Task equals problem equals knowledge, becomes the driving force to free up time to adopt new value-added tasks that improve both service efficiency, your team fulfillment and the company financial results.

In this course, you will follow four companies, each in a different service sector (finance, gas service delivery, back office of a bank and tourism), as they implement SPDM to address the problems that do not allow them to deliver an excellent service and improve their results. Through these cases, and the application of this practical framework, you will gain a deep understanding of how to increase your efficiency and adopt a cutting-edge operations model that provides a 5 star service linked with financial improvement.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
In this course, you will follow four companies, each in a different industry (finance, gas, health and tourism), as they implement an efficient and cutting-edge operations model (SPDM) to address the problems that do not allow them to deliver an excellent service, and improve their results. Through these cases, and the application of this practical framework, you will gain a deep understanding of how to increase your efficiency while providing a 5 star service, as well as getting results and things done in your own company.
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The Operations Puzzle
During this module, the following topics will be covered: promise and its five dimensions (cost, time, range, innovation, and consistency), essence or DNA’s company, flame red or the structure holding up the essence, client archetype, service specifications and moments of truth (MMT).
Unlocking Capacity to Tackle Higher Value-Added Tasks
During this module, the following topics will be covered: service and product mix, task=problem=knowledge, capacity analysis and matrix, load matrix and task benchmark.
No Hire, No Fire
During this module, the following topics will be covered: operational variables, E2E process & green benches, 7 times, operational rules and types of decisions.
The Problem Solving Machine
During this module, the following topics will be covered: nine questions, knowledge gaps, touch points in the costumer journey, distance to implementation and knowledge stock blockages and the knowledge extended enterprise.
Conclusions
During this module, the following topics will be covered; reflections and summary and learnings of the four companies.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores Service Problem Driven Management (SPDM) framework which aids service companies in improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction
Features practical, real-world case studies of companies successfully implementing SPDM in various service sectors
Focuses on improving both service delivery and financial results, aligning with business goals
Taught by Beatriz Muñoz Seca, a recognized expert in service management
Applicable to professionals in service companies or service areas seeking to enhance their operational effectiveness

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Build an Effective Service Company with these activities:
Review Service Management Concepts
Reviewing core service management concepts will reinforce your understanding and prepare you for the course materials.
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  • Read through lecture notes and textbooks on service management principles and theories.
  • Summarize key concepts and definitions related to service management.
  • Complete practice questions or exercises to test your understanding.
Task Analysis Exercises
Conducting task analysis exercises will help you develop the analytical skills required to identify and optimize service processes.
Browse courses on Task Analysis
Show steps
  • Select a service process or task within your organization.
  • Break down the process into individual tasks and analyze each task's purpose, inputs, outputs, and dependencies.
  • Identify potential areas for improvement and develop recommendations for optimization.
SPDM Framework Implementation Simulations
Following guided tutorials on SPDM implementation will provide you with practical experience in applying the framework and seeing its benefits firsthand.
Show steps
  • Identify a real-world service delivery scenario where you can apply the SPDM framework.
  • Follow step-by-step instructions provided in online tutorials or workshops to implement the SPDM framework.
  • Analyze the impact of implementing SPDM on service efficiency, team involvement, and financial results.
One other activity
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Show all four activities
Contribute to Service Management Software
Contributing to open-source service management software projects allows you to gain practical experience, showcase your skills, and stay updated on industry advancements.
Browse courses on Software Engineering
Show steps
  • Identify open-source service management projects on platforms such as GitHub or GitLab.
  • Review project documentation and codebase to understand its purpose and functionality.
  • Contribute to the project by fixing bugs, adding features, or improving documentation.
  • Interact with the project community, ask questions, and share your knowledge.

Career center

Learners who complete How to Build an Effective Service Company will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Consultant
Consultants are responsible for the profitable, sustainable growth of a client organization. They play a central role in making business decisions, which requires an understanding of the company's needs, challenges, and goals. Additionally, it's often necessary to understand the latest business trends and best practices of the relevant industry. How to Build an Effective Service Company can provide you with the operational mindset and framework to help clients build efficient teams and provide excellent service.
Service Manager
Service managers oversee the operations of a customer service or support department. Their primary objective is to ensure that the team is meeting customer needs and delivering high-quality service. This requires an understanding of customer service best practices, as well as the ability to create and implement efficient processes.
Operations Manager
Operations managers plan, organize, and direct the daily operations of an organization. This includes developing and implementing policies and procedures, as well as overseeing the work of employees. The operations manager is responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the organization, including customer satisfaction, profitability, and compliance with laws and regulations.
Process Improvement Specialist
Process improvement specialists work to identify and eliminate inefficiencies in business processes. They may also be responsible for developing and implementing new processes or improving existing ones in a way that aligns with broader company objectives. In this role, they analyze the processes and systems that govern the delivery of a service, including customer touchpoints and value-added tasks.
Project Manager
Project managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. This involves working with stakeholders to define project scope, develop a timeline, and identify resources. Project managers also track project progress and ensure that all deliverables are met on time and within budget.
Business Analyst
Business analysts work with stakeholders to understand their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. They may work on a variety of projects, including process improvement, software development, and organizational change.
Service Designer
Service designers are responsible for designing and developing new or improved services. They work with customers and stakeholders to understand their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs.
Product Manager
Product managers are responsible for managing the development and launch of new products or features. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to ensure that products meet customer needs and are successful in the marketplace.
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs are responsible for starting and running their own businesses. They must develop a business plan, secure funding, and build a team to execute their vision.
Customer Success Manager
Customer success managers are responsible for ensuring that customers are successful with a product or service. They work with customers to understand their needs and help them achieve their goals.
Operations Research Analyst
Operations research analysts use mathematical and analytical techniques to solve problems in a variety of industries. They may work on projects related to process improvement, logistics, and supply chain management.
Quality Assurance Analyst
Quality assurance analysts are responsible for testing and evaluating software or products to ensure that they meet quality standards.
Software Engineer
Software engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work with customers and stakeholders to understand their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs.
UX Designer
UX designers are responsible for the design and usability of a product or service. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to ensure that products are easy to use and provide a positive user experience.
Data Analyst
Data analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make better decisions. They work with a variety of data sources, including spreadsheets, databases, and online surveys.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Build an Effective Service Company.
Covers the fundamental principles of service operations management and provides practical guidance on how to improve service delivery. It good reference for understanding the concepts and tools used in service operations management.
Provides a comprehensive overview of service management, including operations, strategy, and information technology. It good reference for understanding the different aspects of service management.
Provides a comprehensive overview of service excellence, with a focus on the customer perspective. It includes case studies and examples from a variety of service industries.
Provides a practical guide to implementing the service profit chain, a framework for linking profit and growth to customer loyalty, satisfaction, and value.
Provides a framework for understanding why successful companies often fail to innovate. It valuable resource for understanding the challenges of innovation in the service industry.
Provides a practical guide to the lean startup methodology, a process for building and testing new products and services quickly and cheaply.

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