How to Identify and Eliminate Non-Essential Business Activities

business optimization lean out level up Feb 26, 2020

Time is the most precious resource you have so it is very important that you are spending it on the right activities and that you are eliminating anything that isn't essential.

The most simple way to identify non-essentials is to do a quick assessment of the activities you do on a regular basis to determine:

  • Is it adding value? To your customers, your business, or both?
  • Is it (still) in alignment with your vision and goals, and something you want?

Here are some additional ways:

  • Leverage the Pareto principle (80/20 rule) to identify the top 20% of activities that are driving 80% of your results. Double down on what’s working best and unapologetically eliminate what isn’t.
  • Then, assess your Operations, the things you do to run your business and:
    • Confirm you really need to do the activity
    • Look for ways to simplify, simplify, simplify
    • Systematize and automate what you can, delegate the rest

These are good practices to do regularly, at least every 90 days, because even the highest performing business has non-essential activities over time.

What works today may not work tomorrow, and over time all things must evolve and change or they stop adding value.

Want any help identifying and eliminating non-essential activities in your business? Here are 2 ways to get support with this activity.

  1. Grab a 90-Day Lean Out Planner if you don't have one already. The planner is such a valuable tool in keeping you focused on what matters most and eliminating the non-essentials.
  2. Join us LIVE every Thursday at 8pm (est) over in our Private Facebook Group for Lean Coffee where you have the opportunity to ask me any of your burning business questions. 

What have you been able to eliminate in your business?  XX

by Crista Grasso

Crista Grasso is the go-to strategic planning expert for leading global businesses and online entrepreneurs when they want to scale.  Known as the "Business Optimizer", Crista has the ability to quickly cut through noise and focus on optimizing the core things that will make the biggest impact to scale a business simply and sustainably. She specializes in helping businesses gain clarity on the most important things that will drive maximum value for their clients and maximum profits for their business.  She is the creator of the Lean Out Method, 90 Day Lean Out Planner, and host of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast

WORK WITH CRISTA

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