3 Tips to Avoid Being Too Complex

One thing I’ve seen throughout my career in the startup world is how simple it is to make things complex and how complex it is to make things simple. If that sentence sounds confusing, it’s probably because it’s overly complex. More times than not, it pays to keep things simple.

Value statements, for example, are one area where startups can be too complex. In an effort to be thorough, those statements can quickly become too long. One startup I was a part of in the 2010s used the value statement “nerdy but loveable.” Obviously, that statement is short and simple, which leads me to the three tips I have for startups to avoid being too complex.

First, use fewer words. That should be obvious but the “nerdy but lovable” phrase we used. To avoid being too complex, stick to one or two keywords the way we did with nerdy and lovable. The most important thing to keep in mind is that fewer words are easier for everyone to remember, which shouldn’t be overlooked.

Second, never explain the exact complexity of what you’re trying to say. If I were to go into detail about what we meant by “nerdy but lovable,” you would quickly lose focus. It would be a complicated explanation that would ultimately mean nothing.

With that in mind, the third tip is to communicate in headlines. This is the epitome of keeping things simple. Also, when you communicate in headlines, it allows people to ask questions about the headlines. This is how you engage with people and get them thinking about what a headline like “nerdy but lovable” truly means.

Ultimately, keeping things simple with short headlines that only use a few words can help startups create alignment. Those few words convey what you care about as a business and what you hope to bring into the world. If you keep it short and simple, everyone can understand and everyone can get on board.

As someone who has lived through three successful startup journeys and the author of multiple manuals on navigating the midstage, Roland Siebelink has the experience and expertise to guide your startup through the midstage and get it on the path to success.

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