( Services )

Business Optimization

Less time lost, lower running costs, and nearshoring to Serbia with our partner People Focus.

What Is Business Optimization?

Business optimization means fixing how your business runs day to day and what it costs to run it. It is less about big decisions and more about the ordinary Tuesday: work that gets done twice, approvals that wait on one person, and money that goes out every month for things nobody has questioned in two years.

There are usually two leaks. The first is time: extra steps, meetings that end without a decision, and one person everybody waits for. The second is money: subscriptions nobody uses, roles that would work better outsourced, and payment setups that cost more than they need to.

Why It Matters

Small delays add up quietly. If ten people each lose half an hour a day waiting for approvals or redoing work, that is about 110 hours a month. You are paying for close to two thirds of a full-time salary, and nobody sees it on any report.

The same happens with costs. A tool that seemed necessary two years ago, an agency retainer nobody reviews, a role that grew around one person's habits. None of it looks big on its own, and together it can be the difference between a company that grows and one that only gets busier.

When You Need It

These are the signs we see most often in companies that call us.

  • The team is always busy, but output is not growing.
  • Everything has to go through the owner.
  • Costs are growing faster than revenue.
  • Nobody can explain how a certain process works. It just does, most of the time.
  • You keep hiring to keep up, and it doesn't seem to change much.
  • You can't find the people you need at home, or they cost more than the role can carry.

How We Work

We follow the work. We map your main processes from the first step to the last, and we time them. We talk to the people doing the work, because they usually know exactly where it breaks. Often nobody has asked them before.

Then we look at costs. Every recurring expense, every role, every tool, every subscription. We separate what brings in money from what is there out of habit.

You get a plan: what to change, in what order, how much time or money each change saves, and who is responsible for it. If you want, we stay on and put the changes in place together with your team.

Outsourcing and Nearshoring

Outsourcing means handing a function, like development, customer support or accounting, to a team outside your company. Nearshoring is outsourcing to a country close to you instead of one on the other side of the world.

For companies in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the rest of Europe, Serbia is close in every practical sense. It is in the same time zone as Berlin, Vienna and Zurich, it is a short flight away, and the people you would work with use English every day. Meetings happen during normal working hours, you can visit when you need to, and the team works as part of yours instead of as a supplier you email overnight.

We know what good people cost here, what they deliver, and who is worth hiring, because we work with them every day. For many of our clients abroad, a role filled here costs less than at home, at the same quality. We also know how companies here are set up and how people get paid, and we work with your accountant and lawyer on that part.

Nearshoring with People Focus

For hiring in Serbia, we work with > People Focus <, our premium partner for nearshoring. People Focus is a recruitment company founded in 2021 that specializes in IT talent and works mostly with companies from the DACH region and the rest of Europe. Their team interviews more than 1,000 candidates a year and has over 4,000 candidates in its database from the past two years alone.

The work is split clearly. We look at your business and decide which roles make sense to move, how the new team should be organized, and what it should cost. People Focus finds and checks the candidates, and their senior consultants, together with partners in law, accounting and HR, take care of the legal setup, the contracts and the HR side in Serbia.

Miloš Milenković, the founder of Startline Strategies, is also a partner at People Focus, responsible for business strategy and go-to-market. Both sides of the work are planned together from the first call, so you have one plan and one point of contact, from the decision to hire in Serbia to the day the new team starts.

What This Is Not

This is not about firing people to look efficient. In most cases the team is the right size and the process is wrong. And a cheaper option only counts if the work stays as good or gets better.

What You Get

Depending on what we find, the work includes some or all of the following.

  • Workflow Audit - a map of how work moves through the business today, with the delays and handoffs marked.
  • Process Redesign - new steps for the processes that waste time, and removal of the ones nobody needs.
  • Bottleneck Analysis - the one point where everything waits, and how to clear it.
  • Standard Operating Procedures - written instructions for each key process, so it runs the same way when you are not in the room.
  • Operating Cost Audit - every recurring expense checked, with what to keep, cut or renegotiate.
  • Outsourcing Plan - what stays in-house and what is better done outside.
  • Nearshoring to Serbia - a team hired here through our partner People Focus, with the legal setup, contracts and HR handled locally.
  • Workload Map - who actually does what, which is often different from the org chart.
  • Software Review - which tools you pay for, which you actually use, and where three tools do the job of one.

Related Services

Optimization works on how the business runs. If the bigger question is what you sell and how you make money, start with > Business Strategy <. If you want to sell in Serbia and the Balkans, not only hire here, > Go-To-Market < covers market entry and local partners in more detail.

Questions

&

Answers

We believe clear communication is the most important part of any collaboration.

This section answers common questions. If you need more info, feel free to email us or schedule a meeting.

Get in Touch
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( FAQ )

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A quick guide to starting your project with us.

GETTING
STARTED

How do I reach out to your agency?
‍
Send us an email or a direct message on social media to schedule a meeting and get started.

What do we talk about in the meeting?
‍
During the meeting, we’ll discuss your business to understand how it works, what stage it’s at, and where you want it to go. We’ll also take the opportunity to introduce ourselves, so you can get to know us and how we work. We’ll explore what you want to achieve and cover when and how payments are made, depending on the type of project.

‍What happens after the meeting?

After the meeting, we’ll send a follow-up email to let you know if we’re the right fit for your project and how we can help.

‍What if we decide to move forward?
‍
If we’re a match, we’ll send a detailed proposal. You can review, accept, or negotiate the terms. Once finalized, we’ll send a formal agreement to kick off the project.

‍When do I make the first payment?
‍
For one time projects, the initial 50% payment is required before work begins. For ongoing services, the first monthly retainer is due before the project starts. Once the payment is received, we’ll get started and dive into your project right away. Welcome to your Startline!

‍Who will I communicate with during the project?
‍
You’ll work directly with a dedicated team member or the agency lead, providing clear communication and steady progress.

‍What if changes or additions come up during the project?
‍
If any adjustments are needed, we’ll discuss them together and agree on a revised budget and timeline if required.

‍What happens when the project is completed?
‍
Once the project is done, you’ll receive all the deliverables, and we’ll collect the remaining 50% payment. For ongoing monthly work, collaboration continues, but we ask for at least 30 days’ notice if you decide to end the engagement.

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An overview of how we plan and deliver your projects.

Project
flow

How do we define the work to be done?
‍
The scope of work and timeline are agreed upon before the project begins to ensure clear expectations and timely delivery.

‍How long does the process take?
‍
Timelines depend on the type of project and are set when we agree on the details to fit your needs.

‍What if I want to add something during the project?
‍
Any additional requests or changes to the original scope will be discussed and may result in adjustments to the budget and timeline.

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Updates and conversations during the project.

STAYING
UPDATED

How do we stay in touch during the project?
‍
Communication is handled through email, video calls, or a platform we agree on together, like a messenger or a client relationship manager. We’ll provide regular updates so you always know what’s happening.

‍What if I have more questions or need changes?
‍
Feel free to reach out via email or schedule a meeting. We’re always here to make sure everything works as it should.

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Details on payment schedules and policies.

Payments
& Terms

How does payment work?
‍
For one-time projects, 50% of the total fee is paid upfront before work begins, and the remaining 50% is paid upon completion. For ongoing services, a monthly retainer is paid at the beginning of each month, along with any additional ad spend.

‍Do you have a minimum price for your services?
‍
Yes, we do not work below the minimum price listed for each service. We believe in fair pricing for both sides because it reflects the quality of our work. This also means we save time for everyone by not entering conversations that don’t fit within the set budget.

‍Are there additional fees?
‍
If anything outside the original plan comes up, like extra revisions or added tasks, we’ll discuss it with you and agree on a fair additional fee. If you need faster delivery, a rush fee of 30% will be added to the total cost.

‍Do you send agreements or contracts?
‍
Before starting, we send a preliminary agreement as a proposal, followed by a formal contract once everything is finalized. Clients typically have up to 7 days to review and accept the proposal before moving forward. Once the contract is sent, it’s considered valid, even if it hasn’t been signed. We kindly ask that it’s respected to avoid any need for legal steps.

‍How are payments made?
‍
Payments are typically made via bank transfer to our company account, details of which will be provided along with the invoice and contract. We primarily use the Wise platform for its ease of use and low fees. Please note that clients are responsible for covering any transfer fees.

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How we work together to bring your projects to life.

Our Team

Who is part of your team?
‍
Our team covers strategy, operations, branding, marketing, design and development. Several team members work from our main location in Serbia, while others work remotely.

‍How do you handle such a wide range of services?
‍
We collaborate with a trusted network of partners and agencies. They use our team members for their projects, and we use theirs for ours when needed, allowing us to cover a wide range of services.

‍Does this setup affect the quality of work?
‍
Not at all. Our approach provides flexibility while keeping high standards of quality and professionalism.

‍How do you keep collaboration organized and effective?
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Each project is overseen by a dedicated person for quality control and communication, keeping things organized. This also reduces workload for our team while bringing different ideas and experiences to solve problems effectively.

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Take a look at our strengths and experience.

WHERE WE
SHINE

What industries do you specialize in?
‍
Our work is business strategy, go-to-market, operations, and the branding and marketing that go with them, in any industry. Our longest track record is in sports and fitness: Fitizen, Shogun Powerhouse, Padel Bros and Telesport.

‍Have you worked with other industries?
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Yes, we’ve partnered with clients in IT, journalism, hospitality, food and beverage, television, and legal services, delivering customized solutions for their needs.

‍Are you open to working with new industries?
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Definitely! We enjoy exploring new fields and adapting our expertise to bring value and fresh ideas to your business.

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A clear view of what we do and don’t offer.

Working
WITH US

Do you provide a finder’s fee?
‍
Yes, we offer a finder’s fee of 10% of the project value for one time projects. For ongoing projects lasting over 6 months, the finder’s fee is a fixed amount of €500, paid after the client has made their payments.

‍Do you work for free or on promises of future work?
‍
We do not work for free unless it’s a pro bono project we choose to support a community cause. We also don’t engage with clients who promise future work without a clear initial agreement.

‍What if something is outside your services?
‍
Let us know your specific needs. If it’s not within our expertise, we can recommend someone from our network of trusted professionals.

‍Do you do trial projects?
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We do not offer free prototypes or test projects. All work begins after a formal agreement is in place.

Contact US