The perpetual motion business
Mark Jarvis
Founder, Director, Non-Exec Director, Interim MD??Helping founder/directors scale a business that works without them ??Master coach and mentor??Big fan of architecture, coffee and cake
As far back as the 1400’s scientists and inventors have been trying to create a machine which runs forever without requiring any further input and energy. The concept of perpetual motion has been something we have sought for hundreds of years and there are many stories around the concept of the everlasting battery or the everlasting gobstopper - from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.
The concept of a machine or product that lasts forever is clearly a very attractive proposition, and certainly it would be absolutely wonderful if we could invent an engine which required no fuel. Despite many attempts over hundreds of years, the perpetual motion machine continues to be an impossible dream, not least because it would break the laws of physics!
The concept of a perpetual motion machine got me thinking about how this might apply to us in business. I have always been led to believe that the goal of a business owner is to create a business that runs by itself, or to create a business that doesn't require them to be there. That feels like a direct analogy with the concept of a perpetual motion machine which runs with no further input, very much like the traditional aim to build a perpetual motion business.
In the same way as a perpetual motion machine is beyond our reach, so is a perpetual motion business. Whilst we can work hard to create and build our business, it cannot run without the further investment of fuel or energy to keep it running. There just has to be some level of energy invested in the system to keep the system running.
Creating a perpetual motion business is theoretically and practically impossible. Building an efficient business is possible and does not require an awful lot of investment, but does require the right type of investment.
I have found that investing in the right fuel and energy in business can yield amazing results.
Start with disciplined people, give them the responsibility to succeed and the knowledge to implement and we can all build an efficient business. Anything less than that will mean we have to invest a disproportionate amount of time and energy to keep it growing.
Whilst we can't create a perpetual motion business machine, we can create a very efficient business by engaging with highly disciplined and driven people, giving them the responsibility and inspiration to succeed, then fuelling them with new and relevant information.
Whether we have an established business with a team or a small business with one or two staff; who we have around us - our team, customers and network, will dictate the efficiency of our business.
As Jim Collins puts it in his book Good to Great – “First who, then whatâ€.
Ready to talk about maximising the efficiency of your business? Arrange a call with me here: https://calendly.com/markjarvis/better_results
Helping High-Net-Worth Families & Property Owners Grow & Protect Wealth | Estate & Retirement Planning Specialist | Tax-Efficient Wealth Solutions UK
3 å¹´Great article Mark. I think one of the major differences is the fact that people put their own human stamp or even light touch on matters in a business. Machines do the same thing time after time. They do not tire and neither do they make mistakes. People add that special touch and even with repetitive matters and tasks they make life and business all the more interesting. Whilst it is frustrating, human error adds a spice that no machine could ever replicate. I thus agree with you Mark and conclude that we can never have a perpetual business which runs automatically without input from people.
Inspiring growth minded business people to work together and support each other's success through effective in person and online networking ** Business Person of the Year Finalist **
3 å¹´I think we can easily end up getting this the wrong way around even when we try not to! People definitely make the difference. ??