What if your business's biggest opportunity for profit is hiding right under your nose?
In this eye-opening episode, industrial optimization expert Previn Pillay reveals how the messiest parts of your operations often conceal your greatest profit potential. Discover the critical difference between efficiency (doing things right) and effectiveness (doing the right things), learn practical frameworks for identifying operational bottlenecks, and understand why changing one variable at a time leads to better results than attempting massive overhauls. Previn shares real-world examples of companies that nearly wasted millions on new systems when their existing resources weren't being properly utilized, and provides a practical roadmap for turning operational chaos into competitive advantage.
Most founders approach operations with a "move fast and break things" mindset that celebrates speed over structure. But as Previn demonstrates through his work with global industrial projects, this approach can leave substantial money on the table. The key starting point is distinguishing between efficiency and effectiveness - efficiency means doing things right, while effectiveness means doing the right things. Many businesses efficiently execute the wrong priorities, burning valuable resources on activities that don't move the needle.
When examining your operations, start with what Previn calls "bottleneck mapping" - taking a helicopter view of your entire value chain to identify where processes consistently slow down. These friction points limit your entire system's output and should be your focus areas for improvement.
The discipline to change one variable at a time separates amateur optimization from professional process refinement. By making a single change, measuring its impact, and then proceeding to the next, you build a data-driven understanding of your operational levers. Previn recommends the "2×2×2 testing method" as a practical framework: two people, two locations, two days to reveal 80% of operational issues without massive resources.
Don't overlook the human element in process optimization. Some of your biggest inefficiencies stem from human friction points rather than technical ones. Where are your team experiencing frustration? What bureaucratic roadblocks prevent quick execution? Systematically removing these barriers unleashes your team's potential.
Finally, documentation - while often neglected - creates the foundation for consistency. The challenge is finding the balance between technical accuracy and readability. Your documentation needs to be specific enough to guide action but simple enough that new team members can quickly implement it.
Before investing in new technology or expanding capacity, maximize what you already have. The cheapest way to grow your business might be hiding in the operational mess you've been avoiding.
Watch the Full Episode on Operational Optimization with expert Previn Pillay below:
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