Great Way, Simple Work: High-Efficiency Work Methods for the World's 500 Largest Companies

Author: Xu Yuan (Translated and Compiled)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features: This book analyzes, summarizes, and applies the most important work methods adopted by Fortune 500 companies, numerous efficient government agencies, and social organizations, aiming to help more businesses, government agencies, and social organizations improve their efficiency, handle ever-changing economic and social phenomena more easily, and solve complex problems more effectively. It simplifies complexity, makes heavy tasks seem light, achieves outstanding results with the shortest time and least input. This book can serve as the best training manual for improving employee productivity and as a reference book for enhancing individual problem-solving skills. It enables everyone to escape the busyness and complexity of work and life, achieving twice the result with half the effort.
Chapter 1: The Path of Simplicity – The Simplest Often Works Best
I. Difficult tasks are accomplished by starting with the easy
Just as a lock and key are mutually dependent and objectively existent, problems and methods are also inevitable. As long as there are problems, there must be solutions. The saying "Difficult tasks are accomplished by starting with the easy" means that no matter how difficult a problem may seem, it can be solved by simplifying it and then addressing the simplified issues one by one, ultimately resolving the problem.
People's usual mindset is: some problems can be solved, some are very difficult to solve, and some are considered impossible to solve. For example, in our daily work and life, tasks that everyone can accomplish or that people with similar abilities have successfully handled are deemed solvable. Climbing Mount Everest, for instance, was once thought impossible before anyone succeeded; after someone did it, people began to think it possible but very difficult. Tasks like flying to the sun, however, are generally considered impossible to solve. Yet, in every field, there are often outstanding individuals who break the "impossible" mold and achieve things deemed unattainable by their peers.
In the Guinness World Records, the current record for the world's top car salesman is Joe Girard. He set a record by selling 1,425 cars in a year, not through wholesale but by selling them one by one at retail prices. Over a twelve-year period, he sold over 13,000 cars through retail sales. At his peak, he sold eight cars a day. Most car salespeople considered this impossible unless it was done through wholesale.
Yes, all problems have solutions. No matter how difficult a task may be, as long as you can break it down into steps and achieve multiple smaller goals one by one, even the most challenging problems will be solved, and the highest goals will be realized. The achievement of small goals is the prerequisite for achieving big goals, and the realization of big goals is the result of achieving small goals.