80/20 Principle
80/20 Principle is a fundamental truth. A minority of inputs and efforts cause the majority of outputs, results, and rewards. Called the Pareto Principle, Principle of Imbalance, and More with Less Principle. There are plenty of theories and empirical data to substantiate it.
Real percentages may vary in some cases to 70/30 or 90/10. So, the data from The Langel Firm, used in this article, may not be always exact. But it reflects the truth of the principle.
If you know and apply 80/20 principles, professionally, your business can achieve greater success. Moreover, personally, 80/20 principles that apply to life can make yours more satisfying and happier.
See if you agree. Here are 31 examples of the 80/20 Principle. 5 key takeaways for business and life.
1. Success happens in business from a small number of products, customers and employees.
- 80% of sales are produced by 20% of a company’s products or services.
- 80% of profits made in any industry are made by 20% of firms.
- 80% of retail sales are produced by 20% of a store’s brands.
- 80% of a company’s output is produced by 20% of its workers.
- 80% of promotions are given by 20% of bosses.
- 80% of budget overruns are caused by 20% of expenses.
- 80% of a product’s costs involve 20% of its parts.
- 80% of companies’ absenteeism is caused by 20% of staff.
2. Great customers are a small group worth significant attention. Worst customers want to take up your time.
- 80% of a company’s volume comes from 20% of its users (B2C).
- 80% of sales comes from 20% of clients (B2B).
- 80% of negotiation concessions occur in the last 20% of negotiations.
- 80% of complaints are by 20% of customers.
- 80% of new customers are generated by 20% of new offerings.
- 80% of the value perceived by customers relates to 20% of what an organization does.
- 80% of website traffic comes from 20% of content.
- 80% of search visits involve 20% of keywords.
- 80% of social media shares are by 20% of posts.
3. Innovation happens in spurts. Efforts at the beginning and end of an initiative have the greatest results.
- 80% of your success comes from 20% of your ideas.
- 80% of project value is achieved with the first 20% of effort.
- 80% of projects get completed in the last 20% of the time before a deadline.
- 80% of innovation comes from 20% of the population.
- 80% of your knowledge is used 20% of the time.
- 80% of opportunity is created by 20% of instigative impulses.
4. A happier, healthier life has an 80/20 Principle too. Learn and apply yourself to what get big results and forget small stuff.
- 80% of sleep quality occurs in 20% of sleep.
- 80% of your weekly tasks affect 20% of your future.
- 80% of results are caused by 20% of thinking and planning.
- 80% of stress is caused by 20% of stressors.
- 80% of muscle gain is built by 20% of the repetitions.
- 80% of investment gains are produced by 20% of investments.
5. Problems with family and friends that get the most attention are usually caused by just a few people.
- 80% of the population finds only 20% of it attractive.
- 80% of grief is caused by 20% of people in your life.
- 80% of family problems are caused by 20% of issues.
- 80% of people marry within 20% of the local population.
- 80% of divorces are caused by 20% of the people.
How many of these 80/20 principles impact your business and life now? Which ones, if applied, could have significant benefits for you?
