If businesses aren’t machines then why do we call CEOs, COOs, etc., “operators?”

The fact is that a business is a machine.

And there’s a difference between an operator and a mechanic.

Operators run the business.

Mechanics can run the business, but they can also repair and maintain the business.

Machines need maintenance. And businesses are no exception.

Businesses, like machines, have two modes: uptime and downtime.

Downtime is what happens when the business isn’t working.

Downtime is what is regularly referred to as “working on the business.”

Don’t forget this… The machine doesn’t serve the operator. The machine, with the operator, serves the customer.

It is why we get this sense of not being productive when we’re working on the business instead of in the business.

You can’t work on a machine while you’re running the machine.

Downtime can be broken down into two categories: planned and unplanned.

Planned downtime is regularly scheduled maintenance to ensure optimal operation.

When you’re productively “working on the business,” you’re goal is to increase future productivity and optimize the operation of the machine.

It’s this constant tension of evaluating and improving the machine for the purpose of productivity.

Unplanned downtime is what happens when something goes awry.

• The machine breaks.

• The machine creates defects.

• The machine costs more to operate than it produces.

So what does a business mechanic do?

1. Mechanics make work visible.

2. Mechanics operationalize activity.

3. Mechanics reduce non-value.

4. Mechanics measure and manage productivity.

5. Mechanics train champions.

Mechanics make work visible.

An organization without organization is simply a sloppy mess.

Mechanics understand how to implement structure and automate execution.

Mechanics operationalize activity.

Businesses are like horses. Operators are like horse riders.

Businesses need to be tamed. Operators need to be trained.

*oh — and this isn’t one and done. This is how operators work and grow.

Mechanics reduce non-value.

Mechanics can’t not see waste. They feel it in their bones.

Watch this video if you don’t know what I’m talking about.

Mechanics measure and manage productivity.

The Customer is the customer of the Business.

The Business is the customer of the Operator.

So if the customer pays money for the product… what does the business pay money for?

The answer: profits. Increased productivity results in less expense per dollar of revenue.

Mechanics are continuously improving productivity by reducing waste—which increases throughput and capacity.

Mechanics train champions.

Operators are at risk of being lone wolves.

Mechanics understand that the best interest of the business cannot be dependent on their direct work.

Imagine a team of 50 blind people and there was only 1 operator who could see. Nightmare.

Mechanics are constantly teaching people so that they may develop eyes to see.

Thanks for reading

A massive thank you to all of the initial subscribers of The 5 Functions newsletter. If you found this post valuable, please hit Reply and let me know — what’s your next action after having read this?

P.S. — Are you interested in being trained as a mechanic? Or maybe you’d like to have your operator mentored. I’m offering a 6-month apprenticeship. Not only will the individual grow, but the outcomes of the apprenticeship directly benefit the business. Train the rider to tame the horse. That’s what we’re doing here. Shoot me an email at [email protected] to learn more.