How do I organise a good Team Consultation?

Posted on September 15, 2023November 7, 2025 by stagiaire

How do I organise a good Team Consultation?

Level 10 Meeting: The Game-Changer for Effective Team Consultation

Have you ever heard of a Level 10 Meeting?

If you are not already familiar with it, this could be the missing piece of the puzzle for productive and purposeful team meetings.

What is a Level 10 Meeting?

The concept of a Level 10 Meeting comes from the book "Traction" by Gino Wickman. The name "Level 10" comes from striving for a perfect meeting that would score a 10/10 on efficiency and productivity.

Why is it so Powerful?

The Level 10 Meeting is designed to minimise distractions, ensure consistent follow-up and keep teams focused on the most crucial issues.

Ideal Agenda Items:

1. Check-in (5 min)

A quick round-the-table for updates.

2. Scoreboard review (5 min)

Review how the team is doing against their KPIs.

3. Rock review (5 min)

Evaluate progress on quarterly targets.

4. To-do list (5 min)

Checking the previous week's to-do list.

5. Issues list (60 min)

Identify and discuss problems; find solutions.

6. Closure (5 min)

Conclude and identify action points for the coming week.

10 FAQ on the Level 10 Meeting:

1) Where does the term "Level 10" come from?

It refers to the goal of a "10/10" perfect meeting in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.

2) How long does such a meeting last?

Exactly 90 minutes.

3) Why only 5 minutes before check-in?

The idea is to get going quickly and discuss key issues effectively.

4) Should every team member be present?

Yes, it promotes consistency and accountability.

5) How often should a Level 10 Meeting be held?

Weekly.

6) What if we cannot solve all the problems in the meeting?

Focus on the biggest problems first and move others to the next meeting.

7) How are these meetings different from standard team meetings?

They are more tightly organised, focused on solutions and avoid distractions.

8) Is it only for big teams?

No, it can be adapted for teams of any size.

9) What if a team member consistently fails to contribute?

This needs to be addressed outside the meeting. A Level 10 Meeting relies on active contribution from everyone.

10) Can the structure of the Level 10 Meeting be changed?

While the framework is specific, it can be adapted based on unique team needs.

Teams around the world have discovered the power of the Level 10 Meeting.
If you are looking for a way to increase the productivity and focus of your team meetings, it is definitely worth considering this format.

Kurt Vervloet

Kurt Vervloet is a business coach, blogger and speaker. Since 2017, he has been coaching businesses around the world, ranging from solo entrepreneurs, SME companies to executive management teams at large organisations. His clients choose to work with him because of my proven, no-nonsense approach to optimising and scaling businesses. By achieving great results with his clients, he has already been rewarded with several Awards.

How do you calculate the gross profit margin?

Posted on September 4, 2023April 11, 2025 by stagiaire

How do you calculate the gross profit margin?

Calculating gross profit margin is crucial for companies to understand their profitability. Here's how to do it in clear steps:

What is Gross Margin?

Determine gross profit: Gross profit is calculated by subtracting the cost of goods sold (CDVG) from sales. CDVG includes direct costs of producing or delivering a product or service. This can include costs such as materials, direct labour and manufacturing overhead.

Gross profit = Turnover - Cost of Goods Sold (CDG)

Calculate the gross profit margin: Divide gross profit by sales and then multiply by 100 to express it as a percentage.

Gross profit = (Gross profit / Turnover) * 100

A practical example:

Imagine a company has a turnover of €500,000 and the cost of goods sold (GFCF) is €300,000. To calculate the gross profit margin:

Gross profit = €500,000 - €300,000 = €200,000

Gross profit margin = (€200,000 / €500,000) * 100 = 40%

In this example, the gross profit margin is 40%. This means that the company retains 40% of its sales after deducting the cost of goods sold.

Formula

The formula to calculate gross profit is:

Gross profit = Turnover - Cost of Goods Sold (CDG)

Shows what profit a company makes after deducting direct costs related to production or delivery. Turnover refers to the total income from sales, while PPS includes the direct costs associated with what the company sells.

Practical example of gross profit margin:

A good example of gross profit margin in practice is a retailer. A retailer's profit margin is calculated by reducing turnover by the cost of goods sold, and dividing that result by turnover. The higher this percentage, the more profitable the retailer! This calculation can help retailers see where improvement is possible in their operations or pricing.

Comparing their gross profit margin with competitors in the same industry can also provide valuable insights. By knowing their gross profit margin, retailers can make the right choices to increase their profitability.

In summary, gross profit margin is a crucial measure for retailers. It helps them understand their performance, set targets and ultimately become more profitable. Knowing this margin can make the difference between success and failure in retail.

What is a Good Gross Profit?

An excellent gross profit margin ratio shows the profitability of your business. It is calculated by taking the difference between the selling price and the cost of goods sold (or cost of sales) and then dividing it by the selling price. The resulting figure is presented as a percentage, known as the mark-up.

A higher mark-up indicates a higher gross profit margin, which often indicates good financial health of the company. However, it is important to remember that a healthy gross profit margin does not always guarantee success, as other factors such as overheads and expenses must also be considered.

What constitutes a "good" gross profit margin ratio depends on your industry and is compared to other companies in your field. By understanding industry standards and finding ways to improve them, you can ensure that your business has a healthy gross profit margin ratio.

Why is Gross Profit Margin Important?

As mentioned above, the gross profit margin ratio is important because it helps analyse your company's financial performance. It shows how much revenue your business makes after deducting the cost of goods sold (GFCF). This gives insight into the efficiency of your pricing strategies, which can help you plan for future growth.

A high gross profit margin is beneficial because your business generates more profit than the costs it incurs. By regularly monitoring this ratio, you can ensure that your business remains competitive and profitable.

How to Analyse Gross Profit Margin?

Analysing gross profit margin is crucial to understanding the financial health of your business. It involves looking at net sales and taking into account all costs related to generating those sales, both direct and indirect. To do this effectively, you need to closely monitor your profit margins and compare them with other companies in your industry.

It helps you spot trends and identify areas where you may need to make adjustments. By knowing your gross profit margin, you can better understand your financial health and make informed decisions for the future.

Understanding this measurement helps you make informed decisions about allocating resources to maximise profits. Moreover, it indicates how well your business is performing compared to others in your industry. Knowing your profit margin allows you to know whether you remain competitive or need to make adjustments.

How do you improve gross margin?

Gross margin is essential to assess a company's profitability. It measures the difference between sales and direct production costs. Consider these key strategies to improve your gross margin and overall financial performance:

1. Increase prices

Raising prices is an excellent way to increase your gross margin. It is an effective strategy to make more money in the long run. However, before implementing price changes, evaluate other factors that can also affect your results. Overpricing can hurt your sales and alienate customers. Do your research and find a fair price for you and your customers.

2. Improve efficiency

Improving your efficiency is not always easy, but it is possible. Start by assessing your processes and identify which ones are most inefficient. Make sure you have the right tools to streamline those processes. Automation can also be a great way to reduce inefficiencies. Finally, don't forget to invest in training for your employees.

Gross margin versus Net profit margin versus Operating profit margin

Financial metrics are essential for evaluating a company's performance and overall financial health. Gross margin, net profit margin and operating profit margin are crucial measures of a company's profitability and operational efficiency.

Gross margin

Gross margin is a fundamental measure of a company's ability to generate profit from its core business. It represents the percentage of revenue that exceeds the direct cost of goods or services sold.

Net profit margin

Net profit margin is a more comprehensive measure of a company's profitability as it considers all costs, such as operating expenses, taxes and interest.

Operating Profit Margin

Operating profit margin is essential for assessing a company's operational efficiency and profitability. It focuses exclusively on the operational costs of producing and selling goods or services.

Limitations of gross margin ratio

While the gross margin ratio is useful for understanding how well a company manages its costs, the ratio has some limitations. It measures only one aspect of profitability and does not take into account other operating costs or taxes.

questions

What does a gross margin of 80% mean?

A gross margin of 80% means that after deducting the cost of goods sold from total sales, you make a lot of money. This indicates how efficient your business is in turning investments into net profit.

Is 80% a good gross margin?

It depends on your sector. An excellent gross margin varies from sector to sector, but generally, a gross margin above 80% is considered healthy.

What does a gross margin of 20% mean?

A gross margin of 20% means that from every euro earned, you keep 20 cents and the other 80 cents goes towards covering your costs.

It is important to remember that no financial ratio should be used in isolation when making investment decisions. Each ratio provides only part of the picture and should always be interpreted in conjunction with other information about the company. Therefore, it is essential to use different ratios when making informed investment decisions.

Kurt Vervloet

The Power of Structure in your Business

Posted on September 4, 2023November 7, 2025 by stagiaire

The Power of Structure in your Business

In today's dynamic world, structure is often the secret ingredient behind successful businesses and productive individuals. Whether you are an entrepreneur striving for efficiency or a professional looking to reduce workload, structure is key. In this blog article, we dive deep into the world of structure and offer insightful tips for any question you may have.

1. How do I get more structure in my work?

Prioritise your tasks:

Use tools such as the Eisenhower Matrix to assess the importance and urgency of each task.

Plan ahead:

Start each day with a to-do list and set realistic deadlines.

Minimise distractions:

Create a workplace free of unnecessary interruptions.

Set boundaries:

Ensure clear working hours and take breaks.

Evaluate regularly:

At the end of the week, look back and adjust your strategies where necessary.

2. How do you provide structure in the organisation?

Clear hierarchy:

Make sure every employee knows who they should report to.

Standardise processes:

Implement established procedures for common tasks.

Regular team meetings:

These ensure alignment and clear communication.

Use technology:

Invest in tools that improve workflow and collaboration.

Training and development:

Make sure the team is equipped with the skills needed for their roles.

Discover here the 4 ways to make your business more effective and efficient...:

3. How do you make a business successful?

Success is often the result of clear vision, determination, and a strong organisational structure.

4. What is the structure of a company?

This refers to the way a company is organised, usually defined by its hierarchy, roles and communication channels.

5. What are the 4 corporate structures?

These are the sole proprietorship, general partnership (VOF), private limited company (BV), and public limited company (NV).

6. What is the purpose of structure?

It provides a clear framework for responsibilities, authority, and communication. This leads to efficiency and effectiveness.

7. How do you structure your day?

Start with a routine: Like meditating or taking a morning walk.

Time-blocking: divide your day into blocks dedicated to specific tasks.

Avoid multitasking: Focus on one thing at a time.

Schedule breaks: It improves concentration and well-being.

Evaluate at the end: Reflect on what went well and what can be improved.

8. Why is structure in a company important?

It promotes consistency, predictability and effective results, which is essential for growth and stability.

9. What types of structure are there?

Apart from the corporate structures mentioned above, organisational structures include functional, divisional, matrix and horizontal.

Conclusion:

Structure is not just a buzzword; it is an essential component for achieving business and personal success. By following the tips above and embracing a structured approach, you will set yourself and your organisation on a path of growth and efficiency.