Simplicity: Working Smarter In A World Of Infinite Choices

by William D Jensen

Choosing among infinite possibilities is the toughest part of today's work, when information is abundant and the most precious resources are people's time and attention. We need easy-to-use tools that help us choose what to do and what not to do, especially when any hesitation or misstep can spell disaster. But how do you make sense of the clutter? In Simplicity , Bill Jensen offers a highly engaging and pragmatic approach to competing in the fast-paced information age by being disciplined about how you make sense of everything around you. Drawing on a groundbreaking study of over 2,500 people in 460 companies, Jensen presents new tools and strategies for applying common sense and critical thinking to any business situation -- from running more effective meetings to leading large-scale change programs. Simplicity is about working smarter, not harder; it gives you the power to create more flexible and productive organizations, more compelling experiences for colleagues and customers, and more fulfilling work for everyone. Simplicity is -- All about competing on clarity Being disciplined about how you make sense of things Being passionate about how you use people's time and attention When everyone knows how to get what they need to make a decision Among the questions Simplicity What is your cost of confusion and the value of clarity? Are you using clarity to go faster, work smarter? Do you have a strategy for creating a simpler company? How will you continuously figure out what you don't know? Either create less clutter or make more sense of it faster than the competition -- and you win.

Genres: Business, Productivity, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Bracy Ratcliff · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not agree more strongly with the title of this book. Simpler will yield a competitive advantage. The truth though is that I'm too far down the food-chain to make any substantive changes. Everything I do (and my 200+ employees) is directed by procedures that can't be bent, shaped, altered, or otherwise made simpler. The processes are written and enforced by the departments often referred to as "support functions." Without elaborating, there's huge irony in that description. Regrettably, this book is not simple. It's so loaded with jargon and corp-speak that I was instantly turned off; yet, I trudged on for several hundred pages looking for some guidance, something concrete that I could take back to work with me. Alas, it's not there. It's mostly pages and pages of propaganda aimed at convincing me that simplicity is next to godliness (I might be exaggerating a little), but I don't need convincing. I believe it, I've embraced the concept--but, tell me how to make it happen from the middle.

[Lee Herman · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book if a little dated. The basic idea is around getting clarity on organizational mission and goals and asking questions to focus on how to achieve them. There is a big focus on improving the availability and accessibility of information and providing people with appropriate tools to do their jobs.

[Kim Tong Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book written by Bill Jensen, President and CEO of the Jensen Group, a firm specialising in Change Management

We live in this information saturated world. Having more information may not be power, but Simplicity is Power in the hand of someone who can make the complex clear. Simplicity requires someone with a clear mind and knows the final destinations or goals of the organisation.

The author suggested what one needs to do when you simplify your workday:

1) Use time differently. Organise yourself and share what you know. This way you will spend less time on the things that don’t matter and a lot more time on things that do. When you spend more time making the complex clear, the figuring out part happens “for free”.

2) Work Backwards from what people need. People include your employees and customers. Without knowing what your customers needs, it is like shooting in the dark. Employees’ needs have to considered in order to achieve a motivated and empowered employees. The employees must know the customers needs and meet them as part of their personal goals. By working backwards, leaders then build the corporate infrastructure that help the employees to work smarter through tools, processes and information grounded in their needs.

[Brett]

Jensen gives rise to corporate simplicity from multiple view points. Great for creating C.L.E.A.R. messages to help define clarity amidst all the business noise. Great values in a simplistic formula. Jensen really is outstanding in delivering some of these concepts critically and in a illustrative and easy to understand format. A must read!

Know, Feel, Do and Succeed

[Kiersten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of quotables in this book, have a highlighter near!

[Ray Padron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good organizational book that helps leaders on how to communicate to teams and across the organization in order to facilitate projects and change.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read FEB 2003

[Lori Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read book on how to effective as you manage your career.

[V Massaglia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book with a lot of great quotes. I'll look for ways to apply the principles in my day-to-day life.

V

[Semi-Academic Eric]

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