“We need to go faster!”

The battle cry of every VC-funded startup CEO.

And how do they propose to go faster?

By hiring more people, of course!

If only life were so easy.

Here’s an unrelated question: What do you call a highway at full capacity?

A parking lot

Okay, I lied. It’s a related question.

If your goal is to move traffic faster during a traffic jam, you obviously wouldn’t start by putting more traffic on the road.

So why is that where you start when you want your product delivered faster?

Before you start hiring, make sure your existing system is as efficient as possible. Optimize your current flow. Otherwise, hiring just makes the problem worse.

Of course, that’s easier said than done. If you need help getting started, here are three suggestions:

• Read The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt. The audiobook version is great, too. Listen on your commute.
• Listen to my interview with Steve Pereira on Value Flow mapping.
• Set up a 1-hour call with me to discuss your specific situation.