Management Tips: How to Do More with Less

11 years, 5 months ago - October 30, 2012

It’s a phrase that’s been used a little too much in recent years, but Harvard Business Review offers ways to “do more with less” that might be worth considering.

“The Laws of Subtraction: 6 Simple Rules for Winning in the Age of Excess Everything” by Matthew May offers a number of examples where “doing more with less” might make sense.

Don’t kill yourself trying to offer everything to your customers; focus only on those things that you do better than anyone else and that customers really need.
Limit the size of teams so that they’re no larger than the number of people who can be fed by two pizzas. This keeps groups small and nimble. And change the rules in midstream to make them even more nimble and flexible.
Keep the focus simple. Start work sessions by defining the core problem and desired outcomes, and pare your bullet points and verbiage until you’re left with a minimalist message that resonates.
Evaluate everything you and your team does and discard duplicate processes.
Lastly, remember the message of Moneyball: It’s not all about home runs; singles and walks add up.

Text by Harvard Business School Publishing

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