CyberFootprint

Recently, I got my hands on a very interesting book called Rework and I would like to share a few key insights that can help you to revolutionise the way you work. Although others have already discussed this topic at length, it doesn’t hurt to get a fresh perspective from the founders of 37Signals. Look at the core principles and express yourself in the comments section below.

1. Until you start making something your idea is just an idea.
2. The more massive an object the more energy is needed to change its direction – the larger a business gets the harder it is to shift. Less is always more (staff, contracts, equipment, inventory, etc.) The lower the mass, the easier to change anything.
3. Constraints = creativity! Great solutions come out of limitations.
4. Cut out everything that you are merely good at; the art is to leave things out. “Directors cut good scenes to make a great movie.”
5. Focus on the most important part of the product that cannot change and make it the best possible. For instance, if you are running a hotdog stand, focus on the quality of hotdogs.
6. Ignore the details when desiging the product during the first phase.
7. Don’t wait for the perfect solution. Make decisions fast and move forward. Ask yourself “what can we easily do right now that is good enough?” -  no big fancy projects and initiatives, just what can be done right now – do not delay by overanalysing.
8. If something is not working, do less. When 30 meals on a menu at a restaurant are not bringing enough revenue, cut the items to five and make them exceptional.
9. Equipment does not replace skill, it can only amplify what you’ve already got.
10. Meetings are toxic. Consider this: one hour meeting means five people’s time of one hour, which means an opportunity cost of five hours. Is this worth it?
11. Keep momentum by dividing everything into small chunks. This creates small victories along the way and boosts morale. Ask what can be done in two weeks and then do it.
12. Divide problems into smaller pieces until you’re able to deal with quickly and completely. Divide long list into many small lists.
13. Make tiny decisions. You get quick results, and in case of a mistake, you can reverse it easily.
14. Decommoditize the product – put your people in and around it, so clients do not buy from you because of cheap prices but because you are the one selling it. Case in point: Zappos.com.
15. Pick a fight. Take a competitor and directly compare yourself to them. Contrast and polarize to get loyal customers.
16. Do less. Offer a smaller amount of features then the competition and make the few features you have the best in the market.
17. Build an audience by sharing information that is valuable and creates loyal followers who will buy the products later on.
18. Instead of traditional advertising, teach your customers. It builds trust and trust is crucial in today’s economy.
19. Show your customers how the business works.
20. Test employees before hiring them; give them a 48hours mini-project.
21. Speed is of the essence. Get back to people quickly.
22. Culture is the by product of consistent behavior. It is nothing that can be planned.
23. Decisions are temporary and consistency kills. The advantage of small companies is to be flexible and change the course of business in an instant (from dental supplies to dog food in one quarter).
24. Hire people who have a life outside of work, because they will be more effective in getting things done.
25. Inspiration perishes quickly. If you feel inspired work on it immediately before that inspiring moment slips away.

What do you think about the list? What rule do you most agree and disagree with?

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