Do I hire an operations manager or a machine?
When an owner realises they are the company's most expensive coordinator, the first thought is to hire someone. Here is another way to count.
An operations manager is a good solution – when they have a structure to work within. Without it they become the new person whose head holds the whole picture. The problem moves, it does not go away.
The real cost of the first year
A salary comes with overheads, recruitment and onboarding during which the new person works at half speed. And there is a risk that does not show on the invoice: holidays, illness and leaving. The calculator below puts the first year side by side with a package.
Not either–or
The best result often comes from building the machine first and then hiring a person to run it. Then they do the work they were hired for – improving, deciding and leading – instead of searching, reminding and explaining.
