The Power of A Process: Driving Operational Excellence
Nikki joined TBGA in 2023 to assist The Barnes Global Advisors (TBGA) team with project setup and process implementation. By 2024, she transitioned into a full-time role as Project & Accounting Manager, where she has been instrumental in driving growth across the business and financial operations. Today, Nikki serves as the Associate Director of Operations, overseeing and managing all aspects of the business operations. This includes leading and optimizing functions such as accounting, risk management and compliance, project coordination and reporting, and collaborating with engineering, HR, IT, and the leadership team to ensure smooth operations. Nikki’s meticulous attention to detail and deep business knowledge have been critical assets, enabling her to document, refine, and enhance existing processes while diligently updating financial reporting.
Nikki’s professional journey began in 2010 after earning her accounting degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Since then, she has gained extensive experience in accounting and office management, particularly within small business environments. One guiding principle has always shaped her approach - upon taking on any new task, she would ask, “Is there a process for that?”. This simple yet profound question reflects her belief in the power of well-defined systems to improve business operations. Nikki explains why “the process” is at the heart of her work.
A well-designed business process is vital for a company’s health, sustainability, and growth. It provides streamlined and consistent operations, ultimately leading to quality control, cost management, employee engagement, and performance measurements. Let’s break optimizing processes down:
Streamlined Operations: optimizes the use of resources and boosts productivity, reducing inefficiencies.
Quality Control: reduces the likelihood of errors and gives the ability to quickly backtrack when there is an error (we are human).
Cost Management: helps to reduce operational costs, who doesn’t like to hear that, and allows for better budget planning and forecasting.
Employee Engagement: empowers employees by clarifying roles and responsibilities, fostering a sense of purpose within the organization.
Performance Measurement: generates measurable data that can be tracked, analyzed, and refined, creating a foundation for continuous improvement. Bring on the data!
Nikki’s commitment to process extends beyond the workplace. For the past six years, she has served as treasurer for her local American Legion Auxiliary, applying her financial expertise to community service. Additionally, she is a certified residential real estate appraiser and owns and operates her own appraisal business. Her personal life is equally dynamic—enjoying the gym, hiking, walking her dog, and spending quality time with friends and family. Nikki and her husband are active in volleyball leagues, while their son stays busy with sports, youth group, and school activities. With such a full life, Nikki knows the value of having a solid plan in place—otherwise, you might just find yourself late to a baseball game (oops!).
As Mark Twain wisely said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” As you look ahead to 2025, take a moment to reflect on your business and financial processes. Do they exist? Are they efficient? Now is the time to define, document, refine, and repeat.