At EGG!, we are constantly asking a simple question:

Is there a better way to do this?
Sometimes that means improving a process. Sometimes it means eliminating one entirely. And sometimes it means realizing that the tools we added to make our work easier have slowly started creating more work themselves.

We call that empowerment bloat.

Every tool in our Studio exists for a reason.

During bootstrapping, iCloud helped us manage our files. ActiveCollab manages our projects. Milanote gives us a visual place to think, organize and build ideas. Slack keeps conversations moving. Zoom gives us a room to meet with clients. And for the past four years, we have been developing EGG!bot™ as our own system for ideation, research and fact-checking.

None of these tools are inherently the problem.

In fact, each one was introduced because it empowered us to do something better.

The problem comes when empowerment begins creating fragmentation.
An idea starts in Milanote. A conversation about it happens in Slack. The task gets created in ActiveCollab. The files live somewhere else. Research gets explored through EGG!bot™. A meeting happens on Zoom. Then someone has to remember where everything went.

Suddenly, the system designed to support the work becomes part of the work.

That is why we are constantly researching what comes next—not because we want more technology, but because we want less friction.

At EGG! we are all about continuous improvement of our infrastructure, processes, and Digital Asset Management.
As our needs grow, the systems that worked while bootstrapping have to grow with us. Our file infrastructure is being built around a Synology server by Brightstone, and right now, we are exploring whether something like Notion could consolidate pieces of our organization, communication and creative process.

But consolidation for the sake of consolidation isn't the goal either.

One giant platform that does ten things poorly isn't necessarily better than five platforms that each do one thing brilliantly.

The goal is simpler:
Use the fewest systems necessary to let great work happen.

Technology should disappear into the background. Processes should make sense without needing a manual. And every tool should earn its place.

Because the moment the system becomes more complicated than the problem it was built to solve, it might be time to crack a few eggs.

How do you deal with empowerment bloat? Jump into the comments if you know a solution!