Can we ask for any other qualities in a product, service, company and/or person than to be Simple, Smart and Sexy?

Do you agree with me that these three qualities put together are irresistible from any perspective (even as a title for this article)? Think about it from a personal perspective and I am sure you'll agree. Who could personally resist someone that is Simple, Smart and Sexy? And think about it from a business stand point, and imagine how much better your company can perform if everything you do, from a business process to a product development has all three components: SIMPLE, SMART AND SEXY.  And how would your company be if you are a Simple, Smart and Sexy Executive?

Appealing? Definitively ! These three words are the key to success in any business and in our personal lives. Why? Because they are three powerful and appealing concepts that nobody can resist, or can you?

If you agree, probably the next question you would have in your mind is how these three powerful words could be applied to your business situation or challenge.  Read through and you'll see how some businesses did it; how managers applied these three qualities and succeeded and made the shift from good to great.

SIMPLE

Simple means something that can be easily (thus rapidly) understood or done. It is uncomplicated, fundamental and straightforward. As consumers we are overwhelmed with the enormous amounts of new products put to market every year (in the US the number of entirely new household products only, reaches 30,000 a year).

We live hectic lives full of emails, trips, meetings, obligations and responsibilities. We barely get 6 hours of sleep at night, while at the same time we are constantly being reminded that we should have a healthy life, have time to cook healthy foods, exercise, relax, meditate, to be good friends, and great parents to our kids...and on top of everything to SUCCEED in our careers. Aren't you exhausted? Take 30 seconds and think if you can achieve all of the above?

The good news is that you are not alone and stress from success is what happens to most consumers in developed markets.

As overwhelmed consumers we embrace innovations that make our life SIMPLER, whether it's a process, a new product or a great service; whether it's at home, in the office, or elsewhere. Let's dig into some examples.

Making it SIMPLER for the client:
American Airlines recently launched a new app (software application) for the iPhone. This app is thought to make our life simpler: we can check in while on our way to the airport, have our boarding passes on the iPhone, get seats assigned, change flights or track a route. Perfect! That is exactly what we needed as busy travelers (now we need AA to make flying tolerable ... but they still have a looooong way to go to get there!) and it's a process that by making it simpler for the client the company will be saving costs.

I assume, without a doubt, that cost reduction is part of your goals. A simple, yet very effective way of finding an innovative way of cutting costs is by asking your team to think on how can they make a client relationship process SIMPLER?' Take out the 'Cost' part on the question. Just ask how to make it SIMPLER for the client. You'll be surprised on how, by asking the right question, you will get the right answer.  For this exercise you can always print and distribute among your team this Einstein's quote:

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."