Chopin once remarked, “Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.”
Bravo!
What about you? Is your business a friend of simplicity?
If it’s not, you’re losing money. Every day. And here’s why:
Simplicity is currency. Especially since we live in hyperspeed, A.D.D., instant gratification culture.
Simplicity is approachability. Because: Complexity = Conflict = Avoidance.
Simplicity is eloquence. Because it’s more listenable, more readable and more digestible.
Simplicity is elegance. Think Oscar Night. Think Joan Rivers: “Who are you wearing?” Which fashions usually win?
Simplicity is sophistication. That was Da Vinici’s philosophy. That simple was nothing but complex in disguise.
BUT, HERE’S THE CHALLENGE: Simplicity is hard. It requires more energy, more brainpower and more courage that complexity.
Seth Godin talked about this idea during a recent interview. He said, “Simplicity has an enemy: Fear. Fear demands places to hide, and simplicity can’t offer that.”
He’s right. Fear comes in the form of that little red shoulder devil, constantly whispering in your ear that complexity is the answer.
But it’s not. Simple is.
So, I invite you to explore these five practices for making your business a better friend of simplicity:
1. STOP being fancy. Trying to appeal to everyone inevitably fails. Simplicity, on the other hand, is a fashion that never goes out of style. Fight for every inch of it.
2. STOP creating riddles that take too long for impatient customers to solve. As your company implements its simplicity strategy, ask yourself five questions:
a. Is this idea simple enough that a kindergartner could understand it?
b. Can this idea be explained in less than ten seconds using less than ten words?
c. How easy will it be for people to repeat this?
d. How much more could you distill the essence of this concept?
e. What three things could be done immediately to make this simpler?
3. STOP rejecting simple. Simplicity isn’t crushing the complicated – it’s eliminating the extraneous. So, start eliminating the unnecessary so the necessary can speak. People will listen.
4. STOP making things bigger than they need to be. Be courageous enough to go with something simple and focused. Your message will have the best chance of getting through (and sticking TO) people.
5. STOP complicating your message. It’s like admitting to your customers that you haven’t reflected upon or extended concern for them. Simplicity, on the other hand, helps customers feel in control.
Ultimately, simplicity IS a valid business strategy.
JUST REMEMBER: The world is loud. People are busy. And they don’t care about you.
Disengage the essential, or live with being ignored.
LET ME ASK YA THIS…
Is your business a friend of simplicity?
LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For the list called, “11 Ways to Out MARKET Your Competitors,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!
* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
Author, Speaker, Coach, Entrepreneur
[email protected]
Never the same speech twice.
Always about approachability.
Watch The Nametag Guy in action here!
Subscribe
Daily updates straight to your inbox.
Bio
