Simple: Conquering the Crisis of Complexity

In this enjoyable paean to the virtues of simplicity, Siegel and Etzkorn offer their wisdom on simplifying the delivery of information. As they point out, “the principles of simplicity apply to every interaction—whether printed, electronic, verbal or visual.” Their information-delivery philosophy can be summed up in three words: empathize, distill, and clarify. Using real-world examples—such as the thinking behind Oxo’s bestselling measuring cup, N.Y.C. Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s creation of the 311 telephone system, and the Cleveland Clinic’s patient-centered care model—the authors break those three words down into workable business strategies. They advise executives to perceive other’s needs and expectations; make their offerings easy to understand, use, and benefit from; and boil down and customize what’s being offered to meet needs. The authors also sound a rallying cry to consumers to demand clear, concise information, and illustrate that while corporatespeak may be popular with lawyers, without plain, easy-to-understand offerings, corporations will have to battle for customer satisfaction. This practical guide should be required reading for businesses large and small. Agent: Sloan Harris, ICM. (Apr.)