Think Simple: How Smart Leaders Defeat Complexity Hardcover – June 7, 2016

If you read Ken Segall’s previous book, “Insanely Simple,” and wished you had a broader view that includes businesses beyond just Apple, then “Think Simple” makes for a solid companion book.On the other hand, since the company leaders Mr. Segall interviewed for this book aren’t nearly as popular as Apple’s, we’re trusting blindly that they’re good blueprints of simplicity. It’s one thing to learn the secrets of the most iconic company of our day. It’s another to trust that the leaders of Hyundai Card or an Australian real estate company are equally appropriate role models.This book is less about breaking new ground not already covered, and more about adding a little more nuance to the same ideas.

I had high expectations when Ken's new book was announced. For someone who had and has access to top corporate leaders and who witnessed the concept of simplicity first hand from Steve Jobs, I was hoping to get access to some actionable insight on how to get 'thinking simple' incorporated into the company I work with.The book is rather disappointing though and I gave up after a couple of chapters as I had not learned anything new by then. And I can not imagine that the target audience for this book would think differently.For some reason I get the impression that the book is more a justification for the time spent with key corporate leaders. But there is no real outcome.

We own a family real estate company and I know how quickly things can become complex even in a small company.I am a big fan of the One Thing and the 80/20 Rule, so I got this book hoping to get some simple tips on staying focused and lean and mean.The book was somewhat interesting but, ironically, I thought it was really too long and drawn out for the small entrepreneur ... or at least I didn't have the patience to read the whole thing and apply it... I wish it had been simpler with maybe a quick start guide or something...

Because of the other ratings I wasn't going to get this book. I am glad I ignored them. This book takes his previous book about Apple and carries it further into the bigger world of other businesses. Segall has done his research and shares an important message about how to achieve Simplicity.

Excellent book. Bought it for a gift and came in excellent conditions. Very happy with this purchase

This author nails it. I am already simplifying processes both at home and at work, Great job!

Great book for leaders

Because he has personally experienced Apple, he narrates the Apple stories quite well but when it comes to other companies, the narration is very poor. You don't feel connected to the story

What to make of Think Simple? Easier said than done. It comes across in no small measure as a memoir of Segall's working period with Steve Jobs and little surprise that veneration figures highly in anecdotes about Apple's resurrection from the dead and the words and deeds of a unique visionary. Therefore as an historical footnote to Walt Isaacson's biography - while still fresh in the minds of some Apple Executives and close third party collaborators - it is a worthwhile addition with some entertaining material such as the immortal line: "I am going to spend a lot of time with you, because I want to teach you how I think. Once you understand you'll be set free."Think Simply in its essence is an odyssey of investigation to uncover the top leadership streamlining tips of some of the most innovative companies today in turning their unique brands into world beating shapers and shifters, especially in using simplicity to remove friction, drag and weight - an object lesson in aerodynamics.However you would think on the count alone of having Apple in your locker it would make for an exciting and revelatory prospect but unfortunately Segall is not a Harvard business guru but a purveyor of stock suggestions, a curator no less with some insightful tips from his inner circle observations of Steve Jobs; whom has provided a bold set of foundational principles now writ large over the tech business sector and increasingly into areas you just would not have thought would be that sexy - like credit cards and caged tellers in banks becoming heroes to customers no less! From the clone-like keynote deliveries, to the converging elegance in design, to the high hospitality employees to guide the customer that something feels exactly right the Jobs factor manages to resonate through much of the material. In fact it is mentioned the Steve did not really appreciate anyone who could not communicate clearly in expressing their thoughts, and for Ted Chung at Hyundai Card the age of expression is superceding the age of advertising and "when it comes to expression, design is one of the most important elements" or to put it another way the simplicity of elegant, compelling design that feels natural to all the senses has become the holy grail of product enticement, and in 1998 the new iMac that came "from another planet..a good planet with better designers" did just that - was it really only 18 years ago?Therefore, I would say if you want to pay homage buy, but otherwise you might have heard most of the credo by now. Dare I say it a lot of the ideas are just plain common sense and any attempts at deep conceptual evaluations feel more like endorsements rather than ground breaking insights - besides just how many times can you spin the word 'simple'? For example, running through a few of the headline messages that can be easily divested: process proliferation is a leading cause of complexity; having strong values in a deeply embedded culture is a key to simplicity; we need simple leaders not complex levels of approvals and opinions from people who might not have the skills to appreciate the big picture; a simpler product with simpler processes makes your staff appear smarter and your regulators happier because there will be less mistakes...and so on.On a positive note, Segall does make crystal clear that at the heart of 'simplitude' is the thin line between what is an 'arrangement' - telling someone what they want to hear - and a 'relationship' - telling someone what they should hear, and this relationship is guided by a leader's values. It can therefore be easily discerned that intuition and a strong instinctual foundation is the basis for many of the talented individuals' approaches described in the book, rather than them relying on process and numbers alone - as any inaccurate political poll would confirm!But finally hovering over the "total package" encapsulating the 'what', 'how' and 'why' narrative of a potential purchase in the minds of the consumer is something that is both bemusing and mystifying at the same time - the brand. The emotional relationship that is forged between the consumer and the producer with the right understanding of human behaviour seems today to be the key reason for the importance of the designer. Thus, Segall's formula says it all: value + simplicity + design = Love, the mystery of which must be saved for other investigations.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Ken has observed a series of lessons from working with Apple that he believes help people, teams and companies be more effective. Crucially Apple is only the jumping off point and he evidences his arguments from a disparate group of companies from across the world. This is critical because it ensures relevance to anyone thinking their business has nothing in common with Apple. If you suffer from complexity and are looking for inspiration and some pertinent advice, this is a book you can usefully invest your cash and time in. I

A bit too focussed on Steve jobs and Apple. Got a bit weary of almost every example relating to Apple, never the less some really good principles and pit across in an engaging way

Great Book. A must read!

Love the way the author present real cases applying the "think simple" way of work, we find examples from different industries and companies sizes, vey insightful read.