In a world with increasing noise and complexity, simplicity is key. Ironically, the concept and process of simplification can be rather complex. But it all starts with understanding. www.jonar.com

1. Simplification

2. Simplification

3. Simplification
Simplicity

4. Simplification
Simplicity

5. Simplification
Simplicity
Simplify

6. Simplification
Simplicity
Simplify

7. Simplification
Simplicity
Simplify
Simple

8. Inspired by Edward de Bono’s
thoughts on simplicity

9. Overview
o The value of simplicity
o The challenge of simplicity
o Ways to encourage simplicity
o Why some people love complexity

10. The value of
simplicity

11. The value of simplicity
Simplicity
o Focused effort
o Makes life simple
o Simple systems are
easier to setup,
maintain, and change
Complexity
o Distracted effort
o Makes life complex
o Complex systems
lead to stress,
frustration, and waste

12. The value of simplicity

13. The value of simplicity

14. The value of simplicity:
Communication
o Complex messages don’t get communicated
clearly
o A print advertiser’s challenges
InterpretationFilters Noise
Simple message
Evocative theme
Simple delivery

15. The value of simplicity

16. The value of simplicity

17. The value of simplicity

18. The value of simplicity

19. The value of simplicity

20. The challenge of
simplicity

21. Challenge of simplicity
It’s tough
o Finding a simpler way is neither simple nor easy
o There has to be a drive, an urge, and a
motivation to make things simple
o If you achieve simplicity, then you have to deal
with people’s perception of simplicity

22. Challenge of simplicity
You need to know the subject
o Learning backwards is easier than learning
forwards
• “If I had only known then what I know now…”

23. Challenge of simplicity
Misleading
o Simple and clear communication can make it
easy to shine over the facts
Unfair
o The complexity of laws and regulations grows in
order to deal with exceptions and loopholes
Vulnerable
o Sometimes simple systems are more easily
susceptible to ... strife

24. How to
encourage
simplicity

25. How to encourage simplicity
If you do not seek to understand a
situation or process, your efforts will
be ‘simplistic’ rather than simple.
Simplicity before understanding is
worthless.
“
”- Edward de Bono

26. How to encourage simplicity:
Provocative amputation
o Imagine one piece of the system or process is
dropped
o Includes even the most obvious of things
o The purpose of amputation is provocation

27. How to encourage simplicity:
Extracting concepts
o The purpose of concepts is to breed concrete,
hands-on action
o Concepts have to be general, vague and blurry
o Example: space pens (that’s right)

28. How to encourage simplicity:
Historical review
o Examining each part of a system or process and
getting rid of anything that can’t justify its
presence
o Many things are there simply because they were
there yesterday
o Sometimes, even though something doesn’t
serve a purpose, you can’t get rid of it

29. Why some people
love complexity

30. Complexity, mon amour
If you want to be taken very
very seriously then write a
very very complex book – in
French, if possible.
“
”- Edward de Bono

31. Complexity, mon amour
It makes you seem smart
o Academic theorizing vs real world application
o The easiest way to show you’re superior is to
understand what ordinary people can’t
o Very real fear that the interpreter won’t be
needed anymore

32. Complexity, mon amour
It can be an effective way of hiding the fact that
you don’t know something
If you really have nothing new to say,
make it complicated so at least some
people will be fooled.

33. Complexity, mon amour
It can be an effective way of hiding the fact that
you don’t know something
Critics will love the book because
they’ll feel part of a privileged few who
can understand it.

34. Complexity, mon amour
It can be an effective way of hiding the fact that
you don’t know something
Critics will have more to write
about, as compared to a simple
book.

35. Complexity, mon amour
It can be an effective way of hiding the fact that
you don’t know something
People will buy the book to show
how cultured they are, but half of
them won’t read it.

36. Complexity, mon amour
It can be an effective way of hiding the fact that
you don’t know something
The book will develop a cult
following for
years to come.

37. Complexity, mon amour
People confuse simplicity with simplistic or
oversimplified
o Simplicity before understanding is simplistic
o It’s hard to distinguish between simple and
simplistic unless you yourself know the subject
o Oversimplification is just as dangerous as
needless complexity

38. Complexity, mon amour

39. Complexity, mon amour

40. Complexity, mon amour

41. Complexity, mon amour

42. Recap
o The value of simplicity
o The challenge of simplicity
o How to encourage simplicity
o Why some people love complexity

43. Recap
o Simplicity is a riddle with great value that scares
and confuses some, while intriguing and
motivating others.
o It’s one of Jonar’s values because we know it
matters, a whole lot.

44. Closing thoughts
o There is no point in ending up with a very simple
way of delivering nothing. The other key values
need to be kept in mind too.
o We just made the topic of simplicity more
complex