Automation and Force Multipliers for Business

Biz systemization is a term that is getting a lot of attention lately but really it is nothing new. Since businesses first started cropping up we have always been looking for ways to make them more efficient and more self-sustaining. The ideal situation is to create a business model in fact that is so self-sufficient that it runs itself with no necessary input. Normally though, it simply means creating a system where as much as possible is automated and systemized resulting in better outputs and less time spent on the nitty gritty.
And one of the best and most reliable ways to do this? That’s to use better tools.

What Are Force Multipliers?

Tools that are used for these purposes in business are often referred to as ‘force multipliers’. What this means is that they multiply the amount of force or effort that is being used and thus result in an amplified output.
The most obvious example of a force multiplier by far is a hammer. Here, you or your client strikes a nail with a certain amount of force but the force that hits the head of the nail is much greater. This saves a huge amount of time and effort versus trying to build a boat with no tools.
Computers are also force multipliers because they make communication, design and word processing much faster. Forklifts too are force multipliers in a very classic sense.

What is Automation?

Automation takes this one step further and is the application of devices and systems that carry out a task entirely without input. These create their own ‘force’ and simply need pointing in the right direction for impressive output.
The most obvious example here is the assembly line or a digital manufacturing line. These can create thousands of identical products with no input from a human being and this is a fantastic example of business systemization.

The Benefits and Risks

The benefits of these tools are clear. By increasing output without increasing your workforce, time or overheads you gain in profit and can increase turnover.
What’s important though is to also be aware of the risks. The problem is that force multipliers also magnify error (as anyone who has hit their thumb with a nail knows) while automation will automate errors. The more you use tools to systemize a business then, the more you need to constantly check and recheck that they are working efficiently.