Efficiency vs Effectiveness

In this solo episode of the Everyday Business Problems podcast, Dave Crysler makes a clear case for why effectiveness should always come before efficiency. Dave unpacks the differences between the two concepts and shares real-world examples that highlight how focusing too heavily on efficiency can actually create bottlenecks, waste resources, and frustrate customers. From manufacturing floors to tech stacks, Dave explores why speed and automation aren’t always the answers, and how zooming out can help teams solve the right problems the right way.

What You'll Discover:

• The fundamental difference between being efficient and being effective.

• Why improving the wrong thing, even efficiently, won’t move the needle.

• Real-world stories from manufacturing and client work that illustrate hidden pitfalls.

• How over-automation and poor cross-functional communication can derail operations.

• A rowing team analogy that simplifies this powerful concept.

• How to slow down, zoom out, and drive long-term, customer-focused improvements.