Was denkst du: Wie viele Worte liest man am Beginn eines Textes bis man entschieden hat, ob der Text für einen selber persönlich relevant ist?
What do you think? How many words do you need before you decide if it is worth it for you to continue reading?
Twitter tweets are only 140 characters, so they have to be compact. Not long ago, I listened to an educator/scientist/TV host Neil deGrasse Tyson on Harvard Business Review talk about the change in his Twitter message strategy. He started his tweeting back in 2009 with the usual superficial banter, then after critical “epiphany”, he altered his approach. Tyson began “tossing out little biscuits”; simply worded scientific nuggets of information about how the universe works. He often crosses science with popular culture and events to explain why things happen and to make people curious.
“I think that if people learn something that empowers their decision making or their outlook on life, you can reignite the flames of curiosity. I try to do that in my Twitter stream.”
Tyson’s “brain droppings” as he calls his tweets, have attracted over 4 million followers!
This tactic of small meaningful doses elicited a huge response. In our age of information overload, have we begun to appreciate that less is more, or in a word, more simplicity?
In the same vein, bestseller author and motivator Dan Pink has initiated a new video series called Pinkcasts — short, informal weekly videos offering tips, recommendations, or whatever happens to be on his mind. Dan’s Pinktalks really that; short, fun and to the point. Just one tip in one minute on how to get work and other stuff done in order to live and work better. Again just one biscuit. Simply packed, engaging and easy to digest biscuit about a pat solution or how-to tip.
In small steps
What does this mean? Start making sense simply? With regard to change, I think it is: to start small but start! In small simple steps.
And this is how to begin change. How to make things happen even when there is so much to be done, so many layers to work through and the job seems too big. We’ve written on our JoinCreative People blog about Prof. Carol Dweck, posted from our interview with this fabulous woman and started a conversation about the strengths of growth mindsets. Begin with yourself and make changes in your world. Start in small steps – how? (define priorities with this list: capture, clarify, organize and engage), before the cycle of “yes …but” and of procrastination begins! You cannot change the school, your company or politics but you can take meaningful simple steps that make a difference.
Companies should stop chasing change and focus on examples of cultural changes that are working. On those confident change makers, incubators or game changers who exemplify a growth mindset. Look for and find contributing behaviors which are almost always collaborative and drive transformation forward. Find those few who show by doing and reframe the moaning into challenges. These can be unpacked by appropriate decisions, user-centricity and creative strategy.
Simply the way forward
Simplicity is not only an economic factor, dedicated to saving resources and efficiency. It also promotes customer loyalty. Simple, easy to use products and services delight customers and make life easier.
Now, let’s focus on what will happen when you start. Who’d like a biscuit?