The “KISS” Principle for your Boomer Business
March 24, 2008 by Jean Murray
Jennifer Hoffman is burning up the blogging world in her new post at My Organized Biz. She’s asked us b5media bloggers to comment on simplicity. Here’s my contribution:
I am a firm believer in the “KISS” principle – that’s “Keep it Short and Simple.”
Henry Thoreau said, “Our lives are frittered away by detail; simplify, simplify.” And Einstein said, “Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.”
In business, this principle is of primary importance. I’ve seen far too many business owners try to over-complicate their businesses, and their lives. For example, in putting together a business plan, they spend a lot of time and money buying business plan software, and agonizing over the details. Then they take their 40+ page business plan to a bank, only to find out that the banker wants to know only two things:
1. How much money do you want?
2. How will you pay it back?
They could have answered these questions with a one-page business plan. The simplest solution to a problem is usually the best. It’s also usually the shortest distance between here and there. Working on the KISS principle can help your business, and it can also make your personal life a lot easier.
I agree, the one page business plan is great. If you know someone who wants to attend a teleseminar on the subject, send them to the website above. I have a bunch of no cost ones coming up!
Jean,
I agree that as business owners, we should keep it as simple as possible, but no simpler.
The trick is knowing that line. Your example of a business plan for a loan is a good one. Still a business plan does much more than help Boomer business owners get a loan. It should be a guide for business and marketing decisions.
As Boomers, we have been workaholics, sometimes making our work more complicated than it has to be. But as business owners, we still have to be willing to spend time and effort to plan our businesses in enough detail to guide us.
Otherwise, we can waste our most precious resource, our time.