The Art of Reductionism
Over the past decade, I have been exercising and honing a special skill. Reductionism.
I had been asked to read Nobel Prize winner, Eric Kandel's book Reductionism in Art and Brain Science. In it, Kandel compares how abstract or modern artists might reduce the complexity of a subject or image into its basic elements like color and form, and applies a similar reductionist approach to understanding the complexity of the brain. Although I read the book more recently, I realized that I have been working on applying a reductionism approach not only in my art but in other disciplines, including day-to-day business operations.
When considering reductionism as a practice in the world of business, here is what it does not mean:
Switching to just-in-time manufacturing and reducing inventory to it bare minimum when your product requires immediate turnaround.
Cutting back on the workforce in unnecessary ways or before thoroughly exploring the root of any deficit.
Limiting the tools and resources employees may need to be efficient due to cost.
So what is reductionism applied to running a business? Here are some examples:
A clear understanding of internal communication. This means you are communicating whatever message to the correct person or group. Go directly to the source. Prevent any misunderstanding and games of telephone. This also means becoming a master of articulation.
A regular review of policies and processes. Policies or work processes are only as good as they are implemented and reviewed. Too often work instructions are written by the wrong person, and although there may be a work responsibility hierarchy that determines who is writing and implementing instructions, they should be regularly reviewed by the writer and those carrying out the instructions to ensure accuracy, removing any unnecessary steps. This review will also open the floor to process improvements from the best source. The goal is to maximize the efficiency and efficacy of work processes and a regular analytical review of “how are we doing things and is it working” will help you move into the most effective mode.
Providing a 1000 ft view to every employee regardless of their entry-level. Does each department have its own function, metrics, and goals? Sure, but by providing every person in a business or company the same vision with a 1000 ft view, you can use reductionism to cast a clear vision and a common goal that every person and department must align to. It is also important that every person in your company has an understanding of what it is the company does, that means HR, Custodial, Business Services, Marketing, Sales, and Production could all give a brief description of what the company does to the board of directors.
Perfecting your mission. Businesses are complex and you have so many things to be mindful of when running a successful company. Human Resources, Finding Talent, and Retention. Forecasting, Quality Metrics, and Supply Chains. The more you are able to look at something so complex at its most fundamental level, the more you are able to skillfully hone your mission. Reductionism helps you refine and remove anything unnecessary or redundant, allowing you to have the most focused and clear objectives before you.
I hope you consider practicing reductionism where it makes sense and is worth implementing. You may already be a reductionist and never even knew it until now. My goal with this letter is to encourage you to simplify where you can and don’t be afraid to go back to basics, especially if it will help refocus your vision and maybe provide ideas of ways in which you can become more effective and efficient.
