Brilliant! But is it Simple?
Doug Marshall
Helping owners understand the value of their business and how to protect it | +1-206-605-4695 Talk/Text
One of my favorite business books is Simple by Alan Siegel and Irene Etzkorn. I first read it in 2013 and it has been on my iPad Kindle App since then. It made me realize that in some instances I had been too clever for my own good. Because I did not focus on "transparency" - "clarity" - "usability" sales were lost and business relationships got complicated.
When Simple came to my attention I was ready to learn. It all made sense. Two sentences in the book pretty much say it all when it comes to the idea of simplicity. "It shortens the distance between people, It's about building humanity into everything you do, whether you're communicating with people, designing products, or delivering services."
It is very hard work! - Making something easier to use and understand is not easy but the rewards can be great. Our instincts are to add on not take away. Think about it for a minute.
It is for the humble! - We are not talking about making something overly simple to the point where there is no value. Be aware though, complexity puts the focus on the presenter. Simplicity requires a focus on the user, the client, and a humble empathy to see things from someone else's point of perspective.
Quick Hack for Simple - Seth Godin talks a lot about getting your ideas out even if they are not perfect. Recently I took a graphic I created and sent it to a few professionals I know and asked for any feedback they might have. It was designed for CPA's, Attorneys and Financial Advisors to describe a business partnership dynamic. One attorney came back to me and said it looked like I was minimizing her role in the relationship. I did not see this and was very grateful for her insight. Of course, this was not my intent. It is still a work in progress, refining, making more clear and understandable with the receiver in mind. Ask for feedback as early. Don't wait until you think it is perfect!
Keeping it Simple shows RESPECT! - It shows respect for the person you are interacting with. It shows respect for your customer. When simplicity is injected into the mix we don't make others feel small. We Respect !
I am interested in your take on this and if you want to take a closer look let me know. Have a great day!
Great minds overthink alike | Marketer, Storyteller, Coach | Top-rated marketing content & thought leadership writer B2B Technology, FinTech + FinServ, HR+HR Tech, Retail/CPG, Higher Ed | Founder, B2B Writing Institute
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