There is a known fact that if one object is behind another object that is moving, it will not take as much energy to keep up with it. This is most evident in sports.
In motor racing, it’s called a slipstream. In cycling, it’s known as drafting. It happens in running and swimming too. Any cyclist will always try and “sit behind” another to get an easier ride. Especially in the pro peloton.
It has been discovered that cycling on a bunch (called a peloton) can save up to 35% energy. That is significantly more efficient!
Being efficient in business
Every business wants to be more efficient. But what does this efficiency look like?
- Productive employees
- Streamlined manufacturing process
- Spending less on running costs
- Attracting top-quality clients
- Customer service goes up
How do I make my business more efficient?
Get expert help
An expert in business is like getting someone to guide you in the right direction. In the cycling metaphor, an expert is the guy in front of you “taking all the wind and rain” while you get “towed” along. Unlike cyclists who hate people catching a ride out of the wind, these experts love you being behind them – that is their job. This gives you extra “energy” to focus on making things more efficient.
Systems
The system you use is the first aspect of business you look at. You and I have been to a company where “everything works smoothly” and we love the experience. The exact opposite is also true. An accountant can help here starting with your accounting system and the process that you have. It may not be a complete overhaul, but rather a few simple changes here and there.
Employees
Employees are the biggest asset in your business. However, they can also be the worst advertisement too. Keeping them happy is critical for your business’s success. Involving your employees in the process is one part that is always overlooked.
This is seen many times. The “bosses” are looking to change things but they are not the people that are doing the “day-to-day” processing “on the ground”.
The changes are made without consulting these employees and this sometimes makes their jobs even harder. If the staff become unhappy or unmotivated, it’s a slippery slope to them becoming disgruntled and, ultimately, leaving.
The impact of involving the staff is two-fold:
- They feel valued because they are involved in the process and their opinions are being heard.
- Their jobs even become a little bit easier; they love this, feel motivated and start to work harder or better.
In 2003, Sir Dave Brailsford was appointed to the helm of British cycling. He introduced the concept of marginal gains. There was no new broom that started again with one sweep. The athletes were there and he knew that they could take on the best of the world.
Brailsford went about changing little things that most people do not know about. Some changes were less than 1% different. For example, using slightly lighter gear cogs (shaving 10g – 20g from each) and taking advice from a surgeon on how to wash hands so that the riders had a chance of being less prone to getting sick.
British cyclists have go on to break too many records to mention here, suffice to say these include multiple Grand Tour wins on the road.
Do you want to save 1%? Dream about making a 1% saving in your business. Do the maths on the 1% saving on your costs! It is huge! With 1% less effort, you save!
What has changed?
The changes might be so small that they are not immediately noticeable. Nothing is obviously different.
However, people might start to say: “There is something that has changed here, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.” Or something along the lines of, “there’s a great vibe in your office”.
Becoming more efficient will never bring your company down at all. It will always take your business to the next level!
