THE STRATEGIC ROLE OF OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT IN DRIVING BUSINESS SUCCESS
- Hoesni FUAD
- Oct 15
- 2 min read
People often think of innovation, great marketing, or a charismatic CEO when they think about what makes a business successful. Operations management is just as important as these other things, but it's often overlooked.
Operations management is the backbone of a business, dealing with the intricate planning, execution, and continual enhancement of the steps that bring a company's vision to life. It ensures that products and services are consistently delivered on time, with top-notch quality, and with the agility to adapt to market changes. In essence, it's the silent yet indispensable force that keeps the business engine running.
As an operations manager, I've seen firsthand how the strength of a company's operational systems affects its ability to grow. Good operations management:
Operations management is the art of resource optimization, ensuring that every investment, be it in materials, human resources, or time, yields the best possible return. It's about being efficient and resourceful in every aspect of the business.
Makes processes more efficient to cut down on delays, get rid of waste, and make sure that departments work together smoothly.
Sticks to quality standards to consistently meet or exceed what customers expect.
Builds resilience so that a business can keep running well even when things go wrong.
Some of the most admired companies in the world are also very powerful in terms of operations. The automotive industry changed forever when Toyota introduced its lean manufacturing model, which focused on cutting waste and continuously improving processes. Amazon's operational expertise lets it handle millions of orders every day, often within 24 hours. These successes are not flukes; they are the result of careful planning and execution of operations.
Operations management has grown a lot since the days when it was just about keeping an eye on processes. This is because business moves so quickly these days. It now uses data to make decisions, automation, and AI to predict demand, improve supply chains, and meet customer needs in real time. The difference between doing well and just getting by can be how quickly you can adapt to changes in consumer preferences, the economy, or global supply chains.
The question for business leaders is no longer "Should we invest in operations management?" but "How can we make operations our competitive advantage?" The answer is to create a culture where operational excellence is a part of every level of the company, from the people who work on the front lines to the people who make decisions at the top.
We at Raffles Jakarta know that being good at running a business is crucial for effective business management. That's why our programs teach students how to look at processes, plan how to use resources wisely, and use technology to get better, faster, and more lasting results. A good leader knows that operations management isn't just about keeping the business going; it's also about moving it forward.
Hoesni FUAD
Sales and Operations Manager
Raffles Jakarta
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Glad to be cited here!