8 Business Efficiency Lessons From The Devil Wears Prada

Improving business efficiency might not be on your list of lessons learned from The Devil Wears Prada, but it absolutely should be. If you haven't seen this iconic girl boss film (seriously, what are you waiting for?), it’s all about Andrea, aka Andy, a journalist thrust into the high-stakes world of fashion under Miranda Priestly's iron fist. 

The movie revolves around Andrea’s dilemma with Miranda’s bitchy boss moves, getting her approval, and losing herself in the process, but there are major business themes hidden in the background. Miranda’s chaotic schedule changes and her communication issues are classic examples of how NOT to run a business.

In this blog, we’ll unpack eight major business efficiency blunders Miranda Priestly made that hurt her fashion empire. We’ll show you how to sidestep these pitfalls so you can achieve optimal efficiency and slay all your tasks!

Why is business efficiency important?

Business efficiency means getting the most done with the least effort and expense. It saves you time and money, helps you deliver better results faster, and keeps your customers happy. When everything runs smoothly, your team is more productive, and you have more room to innovate and grow.

On the flip side, inefficiency can lead to wasted time, higher costs, and unhappy employees. If your processes aren’t streamlined, you risk missing deadlines and frustrating customers.

Just look at Miranda Priestly —her chaotic approach led to constant stress, disorganization, and, ultimately, team members and customers turning against her. But, if business owners can avoid her mistakes and focus on efficiency, they can ensure smoother operations, happier teams, and satisfied customers.

Let’s dive into the mistakes Miranda made and how you can avoid them to boost your business.

#1 She (and her assistants) note almost everything down on pen and paper

Sure, it was 2006, and tech wasn’t as advanced. But come on, Miranda didn’t even bother with a proper CRM (customer relationship management) system for her bustling fashion magazine. Imagine trying to coordinate with dozens of artists, agencies, and models using just pen and paper—it’s a disaster waiting to happen!

A CRM system organizes all contacts, interactions, and communications in one place. This system has pulled businesses from the brink of chaos and turned them into well-oiled machines. Whether you're just starting out or have been in the game for years, implementing a CRM is one way to improve business efficiency and team collaboration and prevent confusion.

#2 Lack of clear communication and constantly changing schedules

Ever tried working with someone who changes plans at the drop of a hat and never provides clear instructions? It’s a nightmare! Miranda’s constant schedule changes and vague instructions left her team scrambling, trying to keep up with shifting priorities.

Effective communication and sticking to a well-defined schedule are crucial for running a smooth operation. However, this basic principle seemed to slip Miranda's mind as she continued to issue last-minute changes and unclear directions.

A project management tool could help maintain clear communication and an efficient business. This is a centralized platform where you can plan, track, and manage tasks and schedules. Providing clear deadlines and transparent communication helps keep everyone on the same page, increases productivity, and reduces last-minute chaos.

#3 No streamlined process for onboarding

From day one, Andy was expected to figure everything out independently. There was zero structured onboarding to help her get up to speed. The only time she would know what to do is when Emily decides to do a good deed and teach her the ropes of the job. If you were in Andy's shoes, what would you do?

A streamlined and automated onboarding process could do the trick! With a smooth process in place, new hires understand their roles, the company’s systems, and who to go to for help. This improves efficiency, avoids confusion, and speeds up the learning curve, so new employees can hit the ground running.

#4 Unclear delegation of tasks

Miranda’s strict and perfectionist approach meant her assistants' roles were unclear and often overlapping or conflicting. For instance, Andy was expected to handle everything from fashion shows to personal errands, such as finishing the twin's science project. 

In a real business setting, clear delegation is key. You need to define who does what and set expectations from the get-go. To fix this, a task management system is needed where everyone knows their roles and responsibilities. This business efficiency tool ensures tasks are assigned clearly and metrics are trackable, keeping your team organized and focused on what they do best.

#5 Setting impossible tasks

If Miranda were real, she would probably fire hundreds of people for not completing an impossible task. She loves to hand out responsibilities that are, frankly, unrealistic. Like the time she expected Andy to get an unpublished manuscript in four hours or call every airplane to make sure she got home from Miami. That’s not just unrealistic—it’s a surefire way to stress out your team and sabotage your business.

When it comes to ways to improve business efficiency, setting achievable goals and providing adequate resources are essential. Use SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to ensure your tasks are clear and doable. 

#6 No work-life harmony

Miranda's approach to work-life harmony? There isn’t one. She pushes her team to the brink, demanding they be available around the clock.

Remember the chat between Andrea and Nigel? Andrea says, “My personal life is hanging by a thread.” To which Nigel responds, “Let me know if your whole life goes up in smoke. That means it’s time for a promotion.” Yikes! Another example is Emily’s constant mantra, “I love my job.” It was a clear sign of overwork and stress.

When your team is stretched too thin, mistakes pile up, and burnout sets in. This kind of relentless pressure not only hinders productivity but also impacts overall efficiency.

Work-life harmony is needed to improve efficiency. Overworking employees not only leads to burnout but also reduces productivity, which can translate to low profitability.

Encourage a healthy harmony with flexible schedules and clear boundaries. Tools like employee wellness programs and time management apps can help ensure your team stays happy and effective without burning out.

#7 Her opinion is the only one that matters

Nigel summed it up perfectly: Miranda’s word is gospel. Her opinion overrides everyone else’s, which means team input gets sidelined. This top-down approach can stifle creativity and innovation, limiting your business's growth.

In real life, valuing team input is essential. Encourage open communication and feedback to leverage diverse perspectives. Implement brainstorming sessions and collaborative tools like team feedback platforms to ensure every voice is heard and harness your team's collective creativity.

#8 No support for her team

Miranda’s idea of leadership is tough-love. She barely offers encouragement and even pits her assistants, Andy and Emily, against each other. That’s a recipe for low morale and high turnover. What entrepreneur would want that?

Boosting efficiency goes beyond implementing tools. It's also supporting your team with encouragement and opportunities for growth like offering regular feedback, professional development avenues, and nurturing a collaborative culture.

Companies like Google excel in this area by offering mentorship programs and team-building activities, ensuring their staff feels valued and motivated.

The best way to improve business efficiency

There are countless tools out there to boost business efficiency. From CRMs and task management apps to project management systems, these tools help you save time, reduce costs, and apply automation. But here’s the catch—while these tools are great, they can’t teach you how to navigate all the systems and processes needed to turn your business from struggling to thriving. We're talking about marketing, website building, design, writing, and more.

So, what's the best efficiency tool? It’s the one that takes the biggest load off your shoulders and lets you focus on what you’re truly passionate about—running your business. And that’s where a dedicated digital marketing agency comes in!

A digital marketing agency is there to help you: 

• Streamline your operations and leave the inefficiencies.

• Craft and execute marketing strategies that actually work.

• Build and manage a website that wows.

• Design stunning visuals that captivate.

• Write compelling content that converts.

With the right agency by your side, you’ll transform those clunky processes into smooth operations and get back to doing what you love!

Run an efficient business with The Bellamy Co.

Miranda Priestly’s approach to running a business may have made for great drama, but it was a recipe for inefficiency. From her chaotic schedules and unrealistic demands to the lack of support and overwork, her management style offers plenty of lessons on what NOT to do. 

In reality, businesses like you want to ditch every inefficient process that slows down growth, and that’s what The Bellamy Co. brings to the table. We know the daily grind of running a business can be tough, and we’re here to make it smoother and more streamlined. 

We are your dedicated digital marketing agency, ready to support and escort women entrepreneurs to success. Chat with us, and we'll help you run a business even the most demanding Miranda Priestly would envy!