https://rickbaker.ca/category/seeking-simple/ Rick Baker's Thought Posts — plain-spoken writing on leadership, business values, communication, habits, and the people side of building a business. Publishing since 2008. en-ca https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-when-people-are-annoyed-with-setting-goals-dont-fight-against-the-flow-help-them-make-predictions/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-when-people-are-annoyed-with-setting-goals-dont-fight-against-the-flow-help-them-make-predictions/Mon, 26 Apr 2021 07:03:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Some people, perhaps many people, are annoyed by the pressure of setting goals. Many people, if not most people, love to learn… https://rickbaker.ca/post/it-seems-you-can-build-a-business-on-very-complex-things-and-on-very-simple-things-but-not-in-between-2021/https://rickbaker.ca/post/it-seems-you-can-build-a-business-on-very-complex-things-and-on-very-simple-things-but-not-in-between-2021/Tue, 06 Apr 2021 07:06:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Simple things, especially those that touch the emotions , form the foundation of many successful businesses - from your… https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-we-have-a-choice-multi-task-for-mediocrity-or-focus-for-excellence/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-we-have-a-choice-multi-task-for-mediocrity-or-focus-for-excellence/Sun, 13 Dec 2020 07:24:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Brain experts are telling us: The uptrend in multi-tasking , especially multi-tasking involving high-tech communication… https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-the-upside-in-ordinary-tasks-seeking-simple-work-and-doing-it-well-knowing-its-link-to-positive-outcomes/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-the-upside-in-ordinary-tasks-seeking-simple-work-and-doing-it-well-knowing-its-link-to-positive-outcomes/Thu, 26 Nov 2020 07:26:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet As the old saying goes, " There is satisfaction in a job well done ." There is more satisfaction when: 1. You know the work… https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-2-types-of-people-succeed-in-business-1-those-who-get-it-and-2-those-who-observe-learn/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-2-types-of-people-succeed-in-business-1-those-who-get-it-and-2-those-who-observe-learn/Mon, 16 Nov 2020 07:50:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet There are only 2 types of people who experience meaningful success in business: 1. Those few, who somehow naturally 'get it'… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-has-two-forms-one-is-creative-the-other-is-not/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-has-two-forms-one-is-creative-the-other-is-not/Sat, 22 Aug 2020 07:34:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet It seems I am on the verge of concluding Thought is either Creative or Destructive...never in between the two. Our Creative… https://rickbaker.ca/post/an-ounce-of-problem-finding-is-worth-a-pound-of-problem-solving/https://rickbaker.ca/post/an-ounce-of-problem-finding-is-worth-a-pound-of-problem-solving/Thu, 20 Aug 2020 07:44:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet As the saying goes, " An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. " So, why not plan with methodical risk-management… https://rickbaker.ca/post/its-better-when-business-solutions-are-less-complicated-than-their-problems-solutions/https://rickbaker.ca/post/its-better-when-business-solutions-are-less-complicated-than-their-problems-solutions/Tue, 28 Jul 2020 07:21:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet If you cannot get your people to do what needs to be done, you are not alone. And, perhaps you are not in good company. Or… https://rickbaker.ca/post/make-things-as-simple-as-wisdom-allows/https://rickbaker.ca/post/make-things-as-simple-as-wisdom-allows/Tue, 30 Jun 2020 07:09:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Simplicity, by definition, offers understanding: Obvious Adams showed us how . Wisdom, by definition, offers greater… https://rickbaker.ca/post/recipe-for-complication-mix-up-some-simple-things-set-basic-courtesy-on-the-back-burner-watch-people-get-heated-up/https://rickbaker.ca/post/recipe-for-complication-mix-up-some-simple-things-set-basic-courtesy-on-the-back-burner-watch-people-get-heated-up/Tue, 05 May 2020 07:16:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When we do simple things right we pave smoother paths. When we are courteous or at least civil with others we pave smoother… https://rickbaker.ca/post/seeing-the-big-picture-drilling-down-into-the-details/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seeing-the-big-picture-drilling-down-into-the-details/Thu, 25 May 2017 08:39:00 -0500Strategic Thinking & Attention to Details : for a business leader, what's the right balance between these two things? Some business leaders think they can… https://rickbaker.ca/post/elegant-solutions-serving-business-leaders/https://rickbaker.ca/post/elegant-solutions-serving-business-leaders/Thu, 30 Mar 2017 07:44:00 -0500Business leaders are opportunity-seekers and problem-solvers. Business leaders need help so they can take on ever-bigger opportunities and solve ever-bigger… https://rickbaker.ca/post/simplicity-generates-efficiency/https://rickbaker.ca/post/simplicity-generates-efficiency/Thu, 23 Feb 2017 21:54:00 -0500The 80/20 Rule: implies simplicity. implies reduction. implies compromise. https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-be-passionate-about-shorthand-abstractionsthey-have-no-integrity/https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-be-passionate-about-shorthand-abstractionsthey-have-no-integrity/Thu, 12 Jan 2017 07:29:00 -0500Over the last few years, I have written and talked about the communication problems that happen when business leaders use words like Passion and Integrity to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/15-ways-to-influence-thinking-inspire-action/https://rickbaker.ca/post/15-ways-to-influence-thinking-inspire-action/Thu, 22 Dec 2016 14:45:00 -0500Vision inspires Leadership has a few essential ingredients. For example, the leader must possess a level of intelligence and the leader must possess a… https://rickbaker.ca/post/why-present-your-thoughts/https://rickbaker.ca/post/why-present-your-thoughts/Tue, 01 Nov 2016 07:49:00 -0500Many years ago, Peter Urs Bender presented a wonderful, simple piece of advice: There are only 4 reasons you should give presentations - to inform https://rickbaker.ca/post/keep-your-goals-in-mindand-seek-simpler-paths/https://rickbaker.ca/post/keep-your-goals-in-mindand-seek-simpler-paths/Mon, 07 Dec 2015 07:36:00 -0500In Sales roles, it is essential to keep your eye on the finish line; understanding the hurdles between you and your goal is far more important than… https://rickbaker.ca/post/with-seeking-simple-in-mind/https://rickbaker.ca/post/with-seeking-simple-in-mind/Tue, 24 Mar 2015 09:24:00 -0500With 'Seeking Simple' in mind. https://rickbaker.ca/post/there-are-only-3-business-value-actions/https://rickbaker.ca/post/there-are-only-3-business-value-actions/Mon, 23 Mar 2015 10:09:00 -0500With 'Seeking Simple' in mind. https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-the-going-gets-toughyou-must-tell-the-tough-people-how-to-get-going/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-the-going-gets-toughyou-must-tell-the-tough-people-how-to-get-going/Tue, 17 Mar 2015 18:47:00 -0500There are many strategies and systems for dealing with tough People and tough Situations [involving, of course, People]. Most of these strategies and systems… https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-a-senior-persons-competence-is-being-questioned/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-a-senior-persons-competence-is-being-questioned/Mon, 19 Jan 2015 22:19:00 -0500When a senior-team person’s competence is being questioned we leaders have only 3 choices... https://rickbaker.ca/post/influence-is-the-essence-of-leadership/https://rickbaker.ca/post/influence-is-the-essence-of-leadership/Wed, 14 Jan 2015 12:16:00 -0500Influence is the Essence of Leadership — a Thought Post by Rick Baker, 2015. https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-do-only-3-things/https://rickbaker.ca/post/people-do-only-3-things/Mon, 12 Jan 2015 11:08:00 -0500We can reduce confusion and remove complexity by creating powerful thoughts that are easy to share with others. We can treat these thoughts as 'philosophies… https://rickbaker.ca/post/business-involves-only-3-actions-doing-deals-delivering-value-and-receiving-value/https://rickbaker.ca/post/business-involves-only-3-actions-doing-deals-delivering-value-and-receiving-value/Wed, 15 Oct 2014 08:56:00 -0500Doing Deals : the actions taken to obtain clients Delivering Value : the actions taken to serve clients Receiving Value : the actions taken to obtain money… https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-better-to-fix-the-problem-than-to-fix-the-blame/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-better-to-fix-the-problem-than-to-fix-the-blame/Wed, 20 Aug 2014 09:06:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Winners seek solutions and think of better places. Losers agonize over problems and fear uncertainty. https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-the-busier-we-are-the-less-we-rememberthats-why-theres-value-in-writing-things-down/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-the-busier-we-are-the-less-we-rememberthats-why-theres-value-in-writing-things-down/Wed, 20 Aug 2014 07:05:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Writing things down: it's a simple thing to do...it's also a powerful strategy for aiding memory and a powerful tactic for… https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-listen-to-what-people-sayare-their-words-the-words-of-victims-or-initiators/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-listen-to-what-people-sayare-their-words-the-words-of-victims-or-initiators/Tue, 19 Aug 2014 13:01:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We do better with people when we understand them...as Stephen Covey taught - 'Seek First to Understand'. We all go through ups… https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-baby-action-steps-pave-the-path-to-unshakable-self-confidence/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-baby-action-steps-pave-the-path-to-unshakable-self-confidence/Tue, 19 Aug 2014 11:59:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet We learn from our experiences. This learning grows experience by experience, piece by piece. And the more repetition of… https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-speak-up-and-be-heard-shut-up-and-be-appreciated/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-advice-speak-up-and-be-heard-shut-up-and-be-appreciated/Tue, 19 Aug 2014 06:56:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Sales Tweet Jay Abraham tells a great story about meeting a fellow at a convention-hotel bar. Jay asked the fellow dozens of… https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-dont-make-a-career-out-of-weaknesses-sounds-simple-enough-but/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-dont-make-a-career-out-of-weaknesses-sounds-simple-enough-but/Mon, 18 Aug 2014 19:37:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Sales Tweet …but…do you know your Strengths? Do you really know your Strengths? If so – how do you know you know them? If so – what… https://rickbaker.ca/post/it-seems-you-can-build-a-business-on-very-complex-things-and-on-very-simple-things-but-not-in-between/https://rickbaker.ca/post/it-seems-you-can-build-a-business-on-very-complex-things-and-on-very-simple-things-but-not-in-between/Mon, 18 Aug 2014 14:22:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Simple things, especially those that touch the emotions, form the foundation of many successful businesses - from your… https://rickbaker.ca/post/focus-is-attending-to-concentrating-on-important-things-leaders-need-to-focus-on-people-process-situations/https://rickbaker.ca/post/focus-is-attending-to-concentrating-on-important-things-leaders-need-to-focus-on-people-process-situations/Sun, 17 Aug 2014 12:28:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet 1. Focus is an Executive BrainSmart , 2. Business Contains Only 3 Things: People, Process, & Situations , and 3. This is an… https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-remove-office-and-desk-clutter-reduce-stress-increase-clear-thinking/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seek-simple-remove-office-and-desk-clutter-reduce-stress-increase-clear-thinking/Sat, 16 Aug 2014 10:19:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet 1. There's no question: Unfinished business gnaws away at brain-energy. 2. A link to articles on this topic 3. A link to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/work-process-needs-to-be-simple-usable-systematic-clear-properly-communicated-otherwise-it-will-not-be-catchy/https://rickbaker.ca/post/work-process-needs-to-be-simple-usable-systematic-clear-properly-communicated-otherwise-it-will-not-be-catchy/Sat, 16 Aug 2014 08:18:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet As the discipline of hierarchy has changed with the times , so must work process. https://rickbaker.ca/post/recipe-for-complication-mix-up-a-few-simple-things-set-basic-courtesy-aside-and-watch-people-get-heated-up/https://rickbaker.ca/post/recipe-for-complication-mix-up-a-few-simple-things-set-basic-courtesy-aside-and-watch-people-get-heated-up/Fri, 15 Aug 2014 19:15:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet When we do simple things right we pave smoother paths. When we are courteous or at least civil with others we pave smoother… https://rickbaker.ca/post/seeking-simple-when-things-are-1-easy-to-understand-2-easy-to-weigh-against-alternatives-3-easy-to-implement/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seeking-simple-when-things-are-1-easy-to-understand-2-easy-to-weigh-against-alternatives-3-easy-to-implement/Fri, 15 Aug 2014 18:14:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Apply Seeking Simple to Client interactions, Co-worker interactions, Supplier interactions, Business Ally interactions...etc. https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-we-are-able-to-describe-things-in-1-or-2-words-we-possess-a-tool-of-genius/https://rickbaker.ca/post/when-we-are-able-to-describe-things-in-1-or-2-words-we-possess-a-tool-of-genius/Fri, 15 Aug 2014 15:12:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Sales Tweet Most people need to make their communications more concise. They can learn how to do that by studying creative thinking. https://rickbaker.ca/post/make-sure-your-business-solutions-are-less-complicated-than-your-problems/https://rickbaker.ca/post/make-sure-your-business-solutions-are-less-complicated-than-your-problems/Fri, 25 Jul 2014 10:11:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet If you cannot get your people to do what needs to be done, you are not alone. And, perhaps you are not in good company. Or… https://rickbaker.ca/post/simplify-the-way-you-view-people-people-only-do-3-things-good-habits-bad-habits-new-things/https://rickbaker.ca/post/simplify-the-way-you-view-people-people-only-do-3-things-good-habits-bad-habits-new-things/Sat, 12 Jul 2014 21:49:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet Everything people do can be classed as a Good Habit, a Bad Habit, or a New Thing. Mostly, people do Good Habits and do Bad… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-945/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-945/Fri, 28 Feb 2014 08:46:00 -0500Thought Tweet #945 Simple tools support the best solutions. Even chimps know that. The Thinking Behind The Tweet and https://rickbaker.ca/post/5-more-ways-to-influence/https://rickbaker.ca/post/5-more-ways-to-influence/Thu, 30 Jan 2014 08:54:00 -0500Take Immediate Steps to Improve Communication When communication gets off track, straying from the desired direction, good leaders work to improve… https://rickbaker.ca/post/bringing-process-to-people-bringing-people-to-process-part-2/https://rickbaker.ca/post/bringing-process-to-people-bringing-people-to-process-part-2/Thu, 16 Jan 2014 09:07:00 -0500Link to Part 1 Bringing Process to People - What does that mean? There's a spectrum of answers to that question. The spectrum ranges from Delegation to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/seeking-simple-the-power-of-3/https://rickbaker.ca/post/seeking-simple-the-power-of-3/Mon, 06 Jan 2014 12:09:00 -0500Seeking Simple is a good habit. This applies on many fronts, as examples: seeking simple ways to communicate with people, seeking simple ways to build… https://rickbaker.ca/post/from-business-tasks-to-organized-business/https://rickbaker.ca/post/from-business-tasks-to-organized-business/Wed, 18 Dec 2013 09:11:00 -0500Premise: It is better to think about business as a package of understandable & definable Tasks. Premise: All Tasks can be defined and someone, sometime ought… https://rickbaker.ca/post/how-much-time-do-you-invest-in-training-your-people/https://rickbaker.ca/post/how-much-time-do-you-invest-in-training-your-people/Fri, 25 Oct 2013 10:17:00 -0500There are many ways to construct a training and staff-development plan for the people in your business. Here is one way to start. Think about how the 80/20… https://rickbaker.ca/post/saying-no-seeking-simple/https://rickbaker.ca/post/saying-no-seeking-simple/Fri, 27 Sep 2013 11:39:00 -0500Many big businesses are struggling with downsizing, rightsizing , and other kinds of sizing activities that are aimed at reducing costs and building… https://rickbaker.ca/post/turnahead-repairing-a-damaged-business-taking-a-business-to-the-next-level/https://rickbaker.ca/post/turnahead-repairing-a-damaged-business-taking-a-business-to-the-next-level/Wed, 18 Sep 2013 07:02:00 -0500Some businesses have slipped away into unprofitable territory. Some businesses have taken a serious hit and are sinking. Some business are doing OK, but/and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-4-hierarchies-of-delegation/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-4-hierarchies-of-delegation/Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:37:00 -0500The 4 Hierarchies of Delegation When you assign responsibility and expect accountability you can give your subordinate one of the following 4 instructions… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-problem-with-programmed-how-to-courses/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-problem-with-programmed-how-to-courses/Mon, 19 Aug 2013 08:14:00 -0500When it comes to education, people won't bend over backwards! The problem with programmed How-To courses - I mean the problem with book-long, multi-lesson… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-796/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-796/Mon, 05 Aug 2013 08:50:00 -0500Thought Tweet #796 Simplify your approach to business by accepting – Business contains only 3 thing s: People , Process , and Situations . The Thinking…