Removing inefficiencies

Relevant to the topic of cutting losses and folding, quickly removing inefficiencies in the business I felt is something that I have just picked up recently.

Back in my previous job, even when I was a manager, it was tough to let go of an employee due to the bureaucracy. After all, I was not the paymaster and I just had to manage the staff well. Not too bad an experience as I had learnt that patience and understanding was crucial in being a manager.

It is slightly different now, every inefficiency hurts the business. I was a bit slow in letting some people go as they were brought in based on their expertise to grow the company. However, as they did not perform up to expectations, I made the executive decision to remove them from the team.

To shed more light on the topic, I had an upcoming project which we had planned a concept run. I met this partner not too long back where he was interested in running the project, I was excited too and started planning on the project. Not too long later, it was tough getting him on the line and tough getting updates from him. Within 2 weeks, I told him it was not working out and we parted ways. I do have faith in my decision that it was for the best as dragging on something will not bode well in the future.

Similarly, we had 3 team members in the social enterprise which we started 2 months back. One team member was brought in due to his expertise in marketing and sales. He went into limbo not too long later due to personal issues. We tried to be understanding and accommodated to his schedule but he just did not contribute. We let him go over the weekend gently.

Should they be given a second chance? Dragging something along may result in something like my failed 1st start up. I felt that this was the best way to go as a lean start up will not be able to grow with inefficiencies. Save a friendship, lose a partnership.



The Young CEO