We live in a world drowning in information, where even stopping to think feels like a luxury. That’s why simplicity is gold—it cuts through the noise. But simplicity isn’t easy; it’s a craft. For businesses, it’s often the difference between chaos and smooth sailing. Want to make your processes as simple and effective as a well-oiled pizza shop? Here are four straightforward tips to get you there, with a dash of humor and plenty of practicality.
1) LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Think about this: If you’re making a sandwich, do you want the bread in one room and the peanut butter in another? Of course not! Your business processes are the same. At every step, ask:
- What info is needed to finish this task?
- Is it right here, right now, where the task is happening?
In one of my companies, we improved efficiency dramatically by adding a “status updates” section to our purchase orders. Now, instead of chasing updates across screens like a headless chicken, everyone can see the full history in one place. It’s like giving your process a GPS—it knows where it’s going and how to get there.
2) CLUMP IT UP: CADENCE
Switching tasks all day is like changing TV channels every five seconds—you’ll never finish the show. Group similar tasks together and set a rhythm (cadence) for getting them done.
In business, chaos loves company, and nothing burns energy like jumping from task to task (or worse, dropping everything to put out a fire). Setting a schedule for regular tasks creates flow, reduces chaos, and keeps your team in sync. Think of it as turning your to-do list into a well-timed orchestra instead of a jam session gone wrong.
3) ROLES, NOT PEOPLE
Here’s a hack: Assign tasks to roles, not specific people. Then assign roles to individuals. Why?
- If someone leaves or gets promoted, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Just hand off the role.
- It makes you think about jobs in terms of strengths and task groups, not just whoever happens to be available.
Instead of running around like a parent refereeing a room full of toddlers, you’ll build a structure where tasks fit into clear buckets. It’s like assembling Lego bricks, not a wobbly Jenga tower.
4) SELECTIVE FOLLOW-UP: WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER
You don’t have time to inspect every detail of every task—but you don’t have to. A little smart follow-up goes a long way.
In one of our businesses, we ship big orders—some over $10,000—made up of items from multiple suppliers. Checking every bin in the warehouse would take forever. So, we invented “bin audits.” A manager randomly checks 15 bins a week. If every bin is perfect, the warehouse team gets a bonus.
The result? Almost the same quality control as checking everything, but in a fraction of the time. It’s proof that a little strategic oversight beats an “all-or-nothing” approach.
WRAP-UP: SIMPLICITY TAKES WORK, BUT IT PAYS OFF
Making your processes simple doesn’t mean they’ll magically run themselves. But if you invest the effort upfront, the payoff is massive—less chaos, more consistency, and a business that practically runs itself.
Think of simplicity like a chef perfecting a recipe. It’s not about having fewer ingredients—it’s about knowing exactly how to use them.
