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Simple
Book

Simple

Conquering the Crisis of Complexity

Alan Siegel and Irene Etzkorn
Twelve, 2013

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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Concrete Examples
  • For Beginners

Recommendation

Exasperating automated phone systems, impenetrable product packaging, complex appliance instructions, indecipherable contracts and one-sided click-through agreements are only a few examples of the complexity that makes life frustrating and difficult. People find complexity maddening, and it hampers the smooth flow of business and government. Companies that have taken a stance against complexity, such as Apple and Trader Joe’s, have enjoyed unparalleled success. Anticomplexity advocates Alan Siegel and Irene Etzkorn elegantly express the case for simplification. Although readers will nod their heads in agreement with this indictment of complexity, the writers should have followed a bit of their own advice by providing outlines, summaries or bullet points. Nevertheless, getAbstract recommends this manifesto about simplification for a measure of comfort and as a practical, workable vision of a better way.

Take-Aways

  • Complexity frustrates consumers, raises costs, and harms business and government.
  • Consumers tolerate pervasive complexity because they feel they have no choice.
  • Simplification benefits customers, reduces costs, promotes brand loyalty, increases efficiency and provides a competitive advantage.

About the Authors

Alan Siegel, who ran a simplification project for the IRS, works at Siegelvision where Irene Etzkorn is chief clarity strategist. She writes and speaks on simplification practices.

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