In this chapter, the book explores why speed alone is not enough—businesses must focus on being truly effective by delivering meaningful results. Many organizations prioritize efficiency, but without a focus on real customer impact, they risk missing the bigger picture. The key takeaway is that businesses should shift from just doing things faster to doing the right things that create value.

Why Efficiency Without Effectiveness Fails

Many organizations believe that improving speed and productivity automatically leads to success. While efficiency is valuable, doing the wrong things quickly is still a failure. The real challenge is to ensure that every action and decision contributes to meaningful outcomes.

highlights tips:

  • The difference between efficiency (doing things right) and effectiveness (doing the right things).
  • Why focusing only on speed can lead to wasted effort.
  • How businesses can align their efforts with real customer value.

A company that is fast but ineffective will burn resources without delivering real progress. The goal should always be to maximize value, not just minimize effort.

Shifting Focus from Speed to Value

Many organizations measure success by:

  • How quickly teams complete tasks
  • How many features or projects are delivered
  • How much cost is reduced

However, none of these metrics guarantee real business impact. If a team completes a project quickly but the result does not improve customer experience, the effort is wasted.

A better approach is to measure success based on outcomes, not just activity.

Instead of asking:
❌ “How fast can we finish this?”

Ask:
✅ “Does this actually create value?”

This shift allows businesses to focus on what really matters rather than just checking off tasks.

How to Improve Effectiveness in Decision-Making

  1. Set Clear Priorities – Not everything is equally important. Teams should focus on initiatives that deliver the biggest impact rather than trying to do everything at once.
  2. Validate Assumptions with Data – Just because an idea sounds good doesn’t mean it will work. Companies should use evidence and feedback loops to ensure they are focusing on the right goals.
  3. Eliminate Unnecessary Work – Many tasks and projects are based on habits rather than necessity. If something does not contribute to real business value, it should be reconsidered or stopped.
  4. Balance Efficiency with Impact – Instead of focusing on how fast something is done, businesses should ask whether the effort produces meaningful results.

Final Thoughts: Work Smarter, Not Just Faster

Success is not just about moving quickly—it’s about moving in the right direction. Organizations that focus only on speed often end up doing more but achieving less. Instead, businesses should:

  • Prioritize effectiveness over efficiency.
  • Measure success by real customer value, not just task completion.
  • Continuously refine strategies based on impact, not assumptions.

By applying these principles, businesses can ensure they are not just busy, but actually making progress.

* images are created by AI