Simpler 101

STOP and Love the Question

jacquard — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:55:19 +0000

When being asked difficult questions we are immediately thinking of an answer before the questioner is finished. When we do this we also tend to be defensive or miss the point of the question. When asked a question, just stop and listen and think after they are done. Go ahead ... Take your time.

JOHN MEADA'S 10 LAWS OF SIMPLICITY

jacquard — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:03:42 +0000

These laws are very well conceived. They are straightforward, easy to practice and yet deep.

Go to his Blog Page or join his email list:

http://lawsofsimplicity.com/tag/laws

Pareto's 80/20 Rule in Action at a New Client

jacquard — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 23:58:33 +0000

Jacquard Associates is working with a new startup company; while working closely with them, I am observing several different ways 80/20 applies to our client. They are a manufacturer of durable consumer products with a target of $20 million revenue by the end of their second year. One method to avoid the waste of over extending their sales effort is to target only their top 35 distributors, instead of their target list of 350.

Check out the rest of the article here.

- Jeremy Schwartz

Introducing Bravo Trailers

jacquard — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 22:47:55 +0000

Jacquard proudly introduces our client Bravo Trailers. A startup with experienced management, they will be the market leader in enclosed trailers as they solve the industry's chronic issues. Through their Lean Business Plan, Bravo will outperform the industry. Their Lean focus incorporates dealers, suppliers, employees, product and manufacturing process. We are proud of their achievements. I invite you to visit their website, why not buy a trailer, they are taking orders for January delivery!

Often Smaller is better than Bigger

jacquard — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 19:51:00 +0000

The manufacturer wanted to test a significant number of marketing techniques and tactics in order to understand the range of opportunities for influencing a variety of consumer segments. But one of its key retail partners was reluctant to undertake the months of effort that traditional multi-site, in-store pilot programs require. The high number of proposed initiatives (originally 50, subsequently winnowed to the 20 most promising) heightened the perennial risks of confusing customers with different messages in different stores and of tipping off competitors about the retailer’s plans. Furthermore, the retailer had recently hired a new category buyer, whose focus was rapidly increasing category sales—not turning its stores into a massive shopper-marketing laboratory.

Pasted from <http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Using_technology_to_improve_in-store_marketing_1976>

Source: Using technology to improve in-store marketing (http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Using_technology_to_improve_in-store_marketing_1976)

Why is it better to have round manhole covers than square ones?

jacquard — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:51:00 +0000

This is logical rather than lateral, but it is a good puzzle which can be solved by lateral thinking techniques. It is supposedly used by a very well-known software company as an interview question for prospective employees. Solution A square manhole cover can be turned and dropped down the diagonal of the manhole. A round manhole cannot be dropped down the manhole. So for safety and practicality, all manhole covers should be round.

Another answer is also that they can be rolled around to save lifting them.....

Pasted from <http://www.mycoted.com/Manhole_Covers>

Source: Manhole Covers (http://www.mycoted.com/Manhole_Covers)

Quote

jacquard — Mon, 17 May 2010 19:51:00 +0000

I have made this [letter] longer, because I have not had the time to make it shorter.Blaise Pascal (1623 - 1662), "Lettres provinciales", letter 16, 1657

Source: http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/26931.htm (Quote)

Concise

jacquard — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:52:00 +0000

My youngest son and I attended his high school's Jr. Class College Preparation Program. While the speaker was talking about the essay questions on college applications my son told me of his friend.

The friend applied to his number one choice. The application's only essay question was "What is your favorite word? And Why?

The Friends response "Concise. It is short."

He got in.

Quote

jacquard — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:52:00 +0000

“It is always the simple that produces the marvelous.”
Amelia E Barr. English born American Writer and Journalist, She wrote historical fiction such as Remember the Alamo (1888). 1831-1919

www.thinkexist.com

Take away the nets

jacquard — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:53:00 +0000

In an earlier post, our client successfully acquired the simpler PC-based CAD (computer aided design) system. They passed on the premature major CAD CAM purchase

Phil is the engineer on the system. At one point, they were correcting 11% of his drawings. The general manager asked him why. Phil simply said "each of my drawings a reviewed at least twice by salesman and supervisors. Given that process, I treat each drawing as a draft."

When asked what would happen if we took away the check steps, the simple answer was. "I guess I would have to do it right the first time. It would seem quicker."

Believe it or not it worked well. Let people know you are taking away the nets.