y=f(x)

What's that frightening formula doing in a blog called Do Not Complicate. Well, it is just to remind you that many symptoms have simple causes ... and it is these you should be attacking, not the symptoms themselves. So, when you find a problem, spend a little time thinking about the cause - and focus your energies there.

The Great British Member of Parliament

Many of you - in the UK and elsewhere - will be reading with relish the details of British MPs expenses claims .... after all we all love a political scandal.

But there is a lesson for us. It is arguable that the real reason behind this current situation is the fact that successive governments have tried to artificially keep MPs salaries low - whilst maintaining an appropriate level of remuneration. The result - a system that hides 'pay' as expenses and allowances.

Such subterfuge often comes home to roost - as it has done here.

The answer. Take the difficult decisions when you have to. Take the PR hit when it occurs. Transparency might give you a problem - but nothing compared to the problem when your lack of transparency is uncovered.

Asking the right questions

In any situation, the 'truth' can be uncovered by asking the right questions. In business these 'right' questions are almost always very simple.

"Why?" is perhaps the most important. Examples: Why do we do that? Why do we do it in that way? Why does he behave like that? Why don't we get a discount?

Keep asking "Why?" ... and never trust the first answer you get!

Café Convenience

Coffee shops are becoming increasingly popular for workers with flexible hours who are not tied down to offices (indeed may only have shared access to a ‘hot desk’). The coffee shop offers comfort, coffee and free Internet access. The lesson – find ‘the edge’ wherever it may be and exploit it.

Big market

If MySpace were a country it would be right up there in the top 10 in terms of population. The same is clearly true of other popular social networking sites such as Facebook.

Think about that for a minute.... and how it might affect your advertising and marketing!