The Simplicity Survival Handbook

November 3, 2003
Few authors encourage people to read as little of their book as possible, but Jensen (Simplicity
) uses the table of contents to highlight five "must-read" sections on streamlining work practices, then encourages people who just want the tools to skip to the "Do-Less Toolkit" at the back of the book, which distills every chapter into a one- or two-page summary. The tactic, which matches his counsel to always demand the "executive summary" of any professional training course, invites comparison to the "useless crap" of PowerPoint presentations, a subject of particular efficiency-loving wrath, but these quickie lessons are as effective as their full-length counterparts, if not more so. Each of the regular chapters is introduced by three "Less-O-Meters," which gauge the level of courage needed undertake each challenge, the level of difficulty, and the level of reward each brings. Much of the advice is familiar from other time-management handbooks, like the calls to delete e-mails unread or skip unnecessary meetings, but other sections offer new perspective on dealing with job orientations and regular evaluations, observing that they're more for the company's benefit than the employee's and showing how to focus on those parts that actually address your needs. Jensen's techniques were developed over the course of a decade-long research project, and he frequently directs readers to the Web site for his change consulting firm for additional info. Most won't need it, though, since his concise presentation—reminiscent of Tom Peters, but with even more concentrated substance—lays everything out perfectly the first time.

November 15, 2003
"Simplify," advised Thoreau. These 32 gems will surely help corporate businessfolk do just that. Not just tips or ideas, this is thoroughly researched, road-tested, time-saving advice, rooted in Jensen's (Simplicity: The New Competitive Advantage in a World of More, Better, Faster) belief that readers must focus on the important stuff and completely ditch the rest if they are to run a tight ship. Thus, "delete 75 percent of your email" isn't just an empty edict-it's direct advice backed up with experience. "This isn't a manual for overthrowing your company," Jensen notes; it's more a guide to happy productivity. The Do-Less Toolkit in the back effectively and powerfully reduces already clear concepts to one-page summaries. A thought-provoking antidote to more structured approaches, like that of Etienne Wenger and others' Cultivating Communities of Practice; recommended for collections serving corporate drones.

Copyright 2003 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.