Overstaffing and the Ant Fable
When you’re in a fast growing company, it’s more than possible to overhire and overstaff, filling in perceived gaps before they really are needed. Today I was emailed an amusing, if slightly over cutesy, fable about overstaffing that I thought I’d share. I think the important thing with respect to growth is to ensure you don’t end up navel-gazing and over analyzing. The fable in slideshow format is after the jump …
The Ant Fable
Having trouble viewing the presentation? You can also see it on SlideShare.net.
I’ve definitely found myself in the ant’s role (without the sad ending). As frustrating as it was, I can understand why it happened because they didn’t have any way of evaluating how efficient I was without hiring someone to work above me. As soon as that person was hired, they have to justify their own salary (which couldn’t be done without making unnecessary changes) so the whole process was doomed from the start.
I’m not sure how to prevent that from happening, but if the ants are productive and you trust them, I think it makes sense to see what they have to say before hiring anyone else.
Sadly this is what happens in many companies, who hire too many people too early – growth is good… but it takes a lot of time and success to justify the increase in staff members
This is the classic story of a fat company.
There are so many companies which go down this path…
Great article! I really enjoy this site.
Great story. I feel like it is taking place in my company
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