Tesco
It’s Not Complicated
Book

It’s Not Complicated

The Art and Science of Complexity in Business

Rick Nason
University of Toronto Press, 2017

Read or listen offline

  • 0.5×
  • 0.75×
  • 1×
  • 1.25×
  • 1.5×
  • 1.75×
1×

Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

Drawing on systems thinking, professor Rick Nason encourages you to differentiate among “simple, complicated and complex” problems. He explains the “false axioms of business” and seven ongoing “paradigm shifts“ to help you understand how each type of problem requires a unique approach. Nason draws from economic theory, scientific management and behavioral research to offer a broad perspective on problem solving. At times you might feel a bit lost in this rather complicated – or complex? – approach to strategic thinking, but Nason cites business examples, both recent and historic, to help you connect the dots. getAbstract recommends his take on conquering the “complexity-thinking paradigm” to businesspeople and managers who may sometimes feel stuck in old ways of attacking hard problems.  

Take-Aways

  • Systems thinking helps you differentiate among three types of problems: “simple, complicated and complex.”
  • To make this differentiation, ask three questions: Can you define the outcome objectively? Do you know the factors required? Must you follow exact rules to carry out the task?
  • Managing complex problems is essential to gaining competitive advantage.

About the Author

Rick Nason is an associate professor of finance in the Rowe School of Business at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Comment on this summary or Начать обсуждение

  • Avatar
    Sign in to share your opinion
  • Avatar
    J. M. 7 months ago
    Good
  • Avatar
    M. F. 7 years ago
    The main point derived from this abstract of Its not complicated’ is that Solving complex problems requires strong leaders willing to work through problems as they arise.Unlike simple and even complicated problem ,solutions to complex problems cannot be solved using reason or logic alone.The reason being that there is no one obvious or best solution to complex problems like climate change for instance.One must think systemically like a chess player and anticipate problems as they arise and take one decision (move) toward the final objective (checkmate).It requires intelligence but even more confidence that your intuition can take you to the finish line.This view of business seems to follow that of other disciplines like behavioral economics and behavioral finance.This novel idea of complexity may led to a new field of Behavioral Business .It will require emotional intelligence when dealing with people and making decisions.It also requires thinking about the paradigm shifts in business which result and having to deal with more complex situations than ever before