This document discusses the importance of answering the question "Simpler for whom?" when pursuing organizational simplicity. It explains that simplifying processes for one group often makes things harder for other stakeholders. The document provides examples of how simplifying for customers can make things harder for leaders or employees. It emphasizes that any simplicity efforts must openly acknowledge their impact on different groups and support those facing increased complexity. The goal should be clear whether the aim is easier competition, improved customer experience, or empowered employees.

1. © Jensen Group, 2015 Simplicity Project
Simplicity Toolkit
Simpler for Whom?
The Hardest Question You Must Answer
SAP has partnered with The Jensen Group, the premier expert on organizational simplicity
to provide you with some of their tools and insights
These documents are segmented into one of three areas of focus...
Research Organizational
and
Leadership
Simplicity
Personal and
Team
Simplicity

2. © The Jensen Group, 2015 Keeping It Simple
(973) 539-5070 www.simplerwork.com
Simpler for Whom?
Answering this question is crucial to both understanding
the work of simplicity and the expected outcomes.
Complexity never goes away!
It gets absorbed and worked on by one group to benefit another.
e.g. AirBnB makes things simpler for customers seeking accommodations and simpler for independent space owners,
but more complicated for hotel chains, tax and license authorities, regulators, etc.

3. © The Jensen Group, 2015 Keeping It Simple
(973) 539-5070 www.simplerwork.com
The same dynamic happens within your company...
Leaders > Easier
Workforce > Harder
Customers > Depends
Could mean no impact; Could make things easier;
Could make things harder
SIMPLICITY GOAL
Make it easier to compete/win in the marketplace
e.g., Restructuring, new corporate-centered tools/metrics, new product lines
Leaders > Harder
Workforce > Harder
Customers > Easier
SIMPLICITY GOAL
Make it easier for customers to meet their needs
e.g., Ability to tailor products, longer/better customer service interactions, easier refunds/returns
Leaders > Harder
Workforce > Easier
Customers > Depends
Could mean no impact; Could make things easier;
Could make things harder
SIMPLICITY GOAL
Make it easier for employees to do their job
e.g., Greater empowerment, less risk-management, greater trust, better tools and support

4. © The Jensen Group, 2015 Keeping It Simple
(973) 539-5070 www.simplerwork.com
Simpler for Whom?
So any discussion about simplicity must first answer this question.
Because the answer automatically makes someone else’s work harder!
Complexity never goes away!
It gets absorbed and worked on by one group to benefit another.
This must be openly discussed, agreed-to, communicated and supported.
Why? Because the history of corporate simplicity so far is that most organizations do not acknowledge and support
the hard work and complexity
that is created for some stakeholders by creating simplicity for others

5. © The Jensen Group, 2015 Keeping It Simple
(973) 539-5070 www.simplerwork.com
ABOUT
Mr. Simplicity
THE BIO OF A SIMPLETON
Bill Jensen makes it easier to do great work.
He teaches companies and teams to succeed by doubling their productivity while also pursuing their passions.
Bill has spent the past two decades studying how work gets done. (Much of what he’s found horrifies him.)
He is an internationally-acclaimed author and speaker who is known for provocative ideas,
extremely useful content, and his passion for making it easier for everyone to work smarter.
His first book, Simplicity, was the Number 5 Leadership/Management book on Amazon in 2000.
His latest books, The Courage Within Us and Disrupt! Think Epic, Be Epic reveal the secrets of success
in bold ideas and unleashing your own greatness. His next book is on The Future of Work.
Bill is CEO of The Jensen Group, whose mission is: To make it easier to do great work.
Among the Jensen Group’s clients are Bank of America, GE, NASA, the US Navy SEALS,
BBC, Philips Lighting, Chevron, the government of Ontario, Pfizer, Merck, L’Oréal Italia,
Johnson&Johnson, Guangzhou China Development District, and the Swedish Post Office.
Bill's personal life fantasy is to bicycle around the globe via breweries.
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1. Out of clutter, find simplicity
2. From discord, find harmony
3. In the middle of difficulty lies
opportunity
Albert Einstein
Three Rules of Work