Just like the serene swan that paddles furiously beneath the surface of the lake, making sure all these processes run smoothly can put pressure on both your staff and your software. Every business requires software that can meet its operational needs and support its business strategy. But while bespoke software solutions are often prohibitively expensive, off-the-shelf software can be too restrictive and offers no competitive advantage.
To overcome this, Gladstone has developed Business Process Manager (BPM): an off-the-shelf software solution with pre-configured business processes, but which can also be fully customised to meet the individual needs of your business. What’s more, with access to the functionality within Gladstone’s Plus2 membership management system, links to third-party applications and an internal scheduler, BPM can also be used to automate a whole range of manual tasks, streamlining your business and saving considerable staff time.
Using BPM, operators can stitch together multiple tasks to design complete business processes, which can be scheduled for a specific time or several times each day. For example, if you have availability in an upcoming class, BPM can automatically fill the spaces with members on the waiting list and/or by searching for members who have previously booked the activity but are not currently booked in. The software then emails those members a ‘one click to book’ link, simplifying the sales process for staff and customers alike.
“Leisure customers today expect to interact with operators using whatever method suits them best,” says Gladstone’s sales and marketing director, Tom Withers. “Our range of booking platforms, from self-service kiosks to online booking to our smart phone app, is designed to offer something for everyone. But if a customer does fall through the sales net, operators can now rest assured that BPM will proactively sell to them.”
BPM’s potential is not limited to sales, however. Other possible functions range from automating registration emails to new customers to streamlining financial processes such as direct debit cancellations. “BPM has been designed to support operators with the smooth running of their unique business offering,” says Withers. “Used to its full advantage, it has the potential to become the heartbeat of any leisure business.”