Principled Innovation LLC

TDOB #5: Simplicity

May 18th, 2006

I’ve been thinking about the need for simplicity a great deal over the last few weeks, no doubt inspired at least in part by my recent experience with the complexities of moving my home and office. But my on-going reflection on this topic has really centered on how we can bring greater simplicity to organizations in the association community. In that spirit, let me pose a few questions for our collective consideration:

• What factors create complexity in the work of associations?
• How much of the complexity in associations is structural, and how much is self-inflicted?
• Does our dominant preference for “tried-and-true” solutions actually increase the complexity of our organizations?
• Why do associations have such extraordinary difficulty letting go of just about anything?
• What are the elements of a new business model that will allow associations to fully embrace simplicity?

There are many other questions to ask, but I think these should get us started. I’m curious to hear various perspectives on these issues, and I certainly have my own views. If we can cut through the assumptions and traditions that drive complexity in our organizations, we can create a more favorable climate for an authentic dialogue on the possibilities of simplicity. I look forward to the conversation.

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Entry Filed under: Principled Innovation Blog, Innovation, Associations, Extreme Makeover, Random Thoughts, Ten Days of Blog