Rating: 
Summary: This is a winner!
Review: Every now and then a book comes along that really excites me. This is one of them. Bill Jensen hit the nail squarely on the head. I love it on several counts!First, he deals intelligently with some of the most important issues of the day. I can't think of anything more important than helping people at every level of the organization sort through the mass of data that's coming at them. Figuring out what matters and what's actionable has never been more crucial or more difficult in most companies. Second, he delivers on his promise to use kitchen-table English-especially fitting for a book on simplicity. I only wish more writers would follow suit. Third, he's honest. He doesn't over-promise and he doesn't pussyfoot around the fact that getting simple is not a piece of cake. For most companies, it will require a major cultural change. Senior managers will have to give up their habit of providing answers and expecting the troops to fall in line. People at every level of the organization will have to rethink the way they deal with information and change their behavior. The bottom line as I see it: If you want to be a player in the New Economy, you need to be fast. And if you want to go fast, you need to get simple. I recommend Simplicity unequivocally as a common sense guide that can help you do it. In fact, go ahead and order 2 copies right away. You'll want to give one to a colleague before you finish reading it the first time.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling, Practical, Do-able
Review: Clearly, a lot of people absolutely love Jensen's premise (and matching layout): We need to approach what makes work so complicated in a more thoughtful way than "Keep It Simple Stupid". Clearly, a few did not. (Maybe they couldn't find anything "new" when asked to rediscover and spend more time on the basics.) We each have very personal views about simplicity. For me, that's exactly what makes this book so compelling and useful. Jensen details what we must do at work and in our e-spaces: Tailoring information and experiences to each individual. He spends half the book on how our work-tools and infrastructure need to change for that to happen. As others have noted, his tools and models make many of today's most important ideas -- Strategy [Blown to Bits], Conversation [Cluetrain], etc. -- practical and do-able. Get lots of copies of this book if you're interested in changing in how knowledge work gets done in your company!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Management and Communications Frameworks
Review: This book contains some superb insights on how to effectively manage your communications with others. Ironically the text itself requires some serious brainpower to process what Jensen means at times. The thesis is a bit ambiguous in terms of whether it will be applied to managing, organization, communications, etc. However, once I finished the book there were several terrific insights I have drawn upon in approaching projects and communications. The book is definitely confusing at times and not all of his frameworks and ideas will be embraced or accepted, but there are plenty of great frameworks and ideas to use. For B-school students, as well as managers and leaders at any stage in their career this book is very valuable.
Rating:
Summary: Not "rocket science"... just damn good sense!
Review: Just finished reading Bill Jensen's "Simplicity"... again. My take is that's one of those few books worth reading, and then re-reading. I found more there than I could absorb on one trip through the book's pages. I'll let others gush or crush... let me cut to the chase. This book is divided into four sections... the first section presents the premise. If you're still in denial about the changes impacting each one of us everyday you need to spend time in these first 35 pages. If you "get it", then jump to sections two and three. Enter the "value added" part for my money. Not "rocket science"... just damn good sense! This is where you get to the "so what" aspect of the book. This is also where the pages in my copy get tabbed and inked up (my litmus test as to whether a book was worth my time...). Section two has plenty of practical tips on "using time", "planning", "listening", etc... (in fact, the chapters are "cleverly' titled as such... what a concept!). Check out the info on planning and communication...useful, practical, well done. Section three felt as though it was directed at those of us who are leading and/or helping to lead organizations. Must admit, I felt "guilty" more than once (ouch!), and have decided to steal several practical ideas to implement "in my own backyard". Particularly liked the section on "prototyping a company that feels simpler". Section four tied it all together for me, and the Epilogue put it all in perspective. In short, this book was worth my time... hope it works for you!
Rating: 
Summary: Too simple
Review: I read a lot of business books, so I know when I've make a purchase mistake. This is one. There's so little of substance between the covers that many pages use huge caps and double spaced quotes from someone else. All this isn't even tied into the text effectively. The rest of the text is loaded with quotes from lots of interviews, but there is a lack of boiling it all down into something new. I have no idea where all these great recommendations came from. Believe me, the emperor has no clothes.
Rating: 
Summary: Not simple to read
Review: Though the thought is right on, the author could have hit the many high points with half of the pages. Worth while ideas, just hard to glean them from the chaff.
Rating:
Summary: Read it then do it!
Review: I am in an large organisation that is on a Journey of Change. So any books that can give me a handle on "things to do that make a difference" are read several times. On my third reading of Simplicity I am still making connections that help me at work. It is rare to be able keep making connections but that is what is happening. So I read it in bed, sleep on it then go out and use the learning the next day. A very actionable book!
Rating:
Summary: Simplicity Rocks
Review: Yes, yes, YES! Finally, a practical, useful guidebook about (a) enough already with all the stuff that *really* makes work so complicated, (b) challenging conventional wisdom about how our time and attention are used at work, and therefore (c) challenging conventional wisdom about what it means to lead and build companies in this New Economy! Bonus: The author's writing style and the layout made it fun and easy to skim, make notes and re-read.
Rating:
Summary: IRONICAL
Review: FOR A BOOK THAT TALKS ABOUT SIMPLICITY, IT IS QUITE COMPLICATED. THE BOOK IS IN PIECES AND IS DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW AT TIMES. AT BEST AN AVERAGE BOOK. I DONT KNOW IF WE CAN GET TOO MANY TAKE AWAYS FROM THIS BOOK.
Rating:
Summary: Simplicity
Review: Bill Jensen's book Simplicity seems to have uncovered a fountainhead of modern ills in our increasingly complex society. The book borders on a philosophy of modern Taoism and leads to what amounts to a rethink of how we run our business and personal existences. Ancient Taoism in its pure philosophical form was founded over 2,500 years ago and its teachings leads one to simplicity of lifestyle, harmony with natural forces and clarity of thought. Simplicity seems bring back these ancient ideas in a contemporary way. Upon reading and reading Simplicity, I realized the fundamental nature of change required to recapture our personal time from the corporate machinery. Practical application of this book has led me to reclaim large blocks of personal time in unnecessary travel, meetings, action items, and bureacracy. It has also changed the way I use and chose information technology. Readers should think about how they can start changing how they make day-to-day decisions today based on this book. It will save you time almost immediately.
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