Insanely Simple: The Obsession that Drives Apple's Success
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Insanely Simple: The Obsession that Drives Apple's Success Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Ken Segall (Author, Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 942 ratings
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To Steve Jobs, Simplicity was a religion. It was also a weapon.

Simplicity isn’t just a design principle at Apple - it’s a value that permeates every level of the organization. The obsession with Simplicity is what separates Apple from other technology companies. It’s what helped Apple recover from near death in 1997 to become the most valuable company on Earth in 2011.

Thanks to Steve Jobs’ uncompromising ways, you can see Simplicity in everything Apple does: the way it’s structured, the way it innovates, and the way it speaks to its customers. It’s by crushing the forces of Complexity that the company remains on its stellar trajectory.

As ad agency creative director, Ken Segall played a key role in Apple’s resurrection, helping to create such critical marketing campaigns as Think Different. By naming the iMac, he also laid the foundation for naming waves of i-products to come.

Segall has a unique perspective, given his years of experience creating campaigns for other iconic tech companies, including IBM, Intel, and Dell. It was the stark contrast of Apple’s ways that made Segall appreciate the power of Simplicity - and inspired him to help others benefit from it.

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  1. Listening Length
    7 hours and 5 minutes
  2. Author
    Ken Segall
  3. Narrator
    Ken Segall
  4. Audible release date
    May 1, 2012
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Random House Audio
  7. ASIN
    B007Z9686O
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 7 hours and 5 minutes
Author Ken Segall
Narrator Ken Segall
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date May 01, 2012
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B007Z9686O
Best Sellers Rank #31,945 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#109 in Marketing (Audible Books & Originals)
#167 in Company Business Profiles (Books)
#314 in Business Management (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
942 global ratings
Ripped book
4 Stars
Ripped book
I noticed a rip or tear on the book. It was $16.00 bucks but paperback so I’m not complaining obsessively. The book is an easy read and interesting.
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Top reviews from the United States

Muhammad
5.0 out of 5 stars Simplicity is indeed the best policy...
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2014
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I am a junior at the University of Baltimore enrolled in the Entrepreneurship course and this book was recommended to me as an assignment. This book keeps you involved till the very end. It is not just a book about an idea gone successful but a tale full of emotions and drama. The best part of this book is the way it is written by the author. With a bit of wit in his tone he has beautifully described the journey of success in the easiest of ways which can be understood by a layman. As described by the author Jobs not only got what he wanted by establishing his own standards but he invented a model of simplicity inside the organization. He made these simple values the ultimate culture of the organization. Moreover experience of working in Dell and Intel gave the author much more insights of each organization and he was able to narrate his personal stories and experiences by comparing it to Apple. That not only explained the simple standards set by Jobs at the organization but it also enlightened the simplicity of Apple's products. The only thing which I don't like about this book is the amount of filler words the author has used. The word simplicity seemed monotonous and over exaggerated sometimes. He may sound right most of the times relating simplicity to human nature but at the end of the day it is a personal opinion of the author to perceive things in that way. Still it is a good read and I would highly recommend this book to people who are interested in starting their own business as this provides you the basic guidelines required as well as the essence and importance of simplicity in their respective start-ups.
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Jason Wadas
4.0 out of 5 stars “Insanely Simple…” was recommended to me as a complimentary reading
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2014
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As a current student at the University of Baltimore enrolled in its Entrepreneurial Experience course, “Insanely Simple…” was recommended to me as a complimentary reading. After reading, it was clear to see why as this book gives good insight into how Apple revolutionized its industry as well as influencing countless others with its model of simplicity. Each chapter breakdowns a point in Apple’s system of simplicity with ideas being conveyed such as think brutal, think casual, think human, etc. It also gives a good look into how meetings took place with then CEO Steve Jobs, and how these meetings would differ from other companies which not only was entertaining to read about, but also very insightful as it really almost teaches that meetings do not have to be conducted in the status quo. The only thing that I didn’t like about the book was it seemed repetitive at times with its message about simplicity, but even this drawback in my opinion serves a purpose as the author is trying hard to convey that the model of simplicity is the way to run a business. I would recommend reading this book if you are interested at all in Entrepreneurship or a current student, and also any other current students or anyone interested at all in business or Apple in general. It’s a nice, easy read and easy to digest the numerous knowledge that is within. This book is especially helpful to entrepreneurship students as it breaks down a great model of how to start up and run a business while maintaining simplicity. As evidenced by Apple’s enormous success this model should not be taken lightly.
6 people found this helpful
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Rick Neal
5.0 out of 5 stars Insanely Simple, yet insanely amazing!!!
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2017
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"Insanely Simple" is insanely amazing! As someone that is already a business owner, it provides so much insight of different ways that I can take my business that is already established and make it just that much better! As a current junior at the University of Baltimore, this book was assigned as a recommended reading from my professor for my Entrepreneurship survey course. I would recommend this book to ANYBODY that is interested in the entrepreneurship path or anybody that is just intrigued in start-up businesses and their development. The simplicity explained and the methods used by Steve Jobs show not only the true passion that he had for his company, but also show that you don’t need to overthink and make things too complex for a company to thrive and become a true household brand. Rather than using large groups of complex people, Apple learned the benefits of using small groups of smart people, and this book explains exactly how it not only benefited Apple, but how it could also benefit you and the start-up phase of your business.
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Robert Ellis re@elliscpa.us
5.0 out of 5 stars not just another Steve Jobs book.
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2013
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This book does more than any other, and I know this because I have read most of them, to explain Steve Jobs' managed Apple. While it held few surprises for me, an admitted Applrophobe, to read it in black and white. This may sound silly, but I always felt that innovation wasn't secret of Apple's success. Nor was it Job's leadership and drive. Although each played major roles. I have come to the conclusion the author is right, the primary reason was Apple' slavish to simplicity. The author makes a compelling case and illustrates the book with many vivid examples pulled from his memory banks. When I first decided to buy this book, I assumed I assumed I was wasting my money on another fluff book. Unfortunately the Apple genre is full of them. But fortunately I eas proved wrong. This book presents the opportunity for an opportunistic manager to give his bottom line a shot of steroids.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Victor
5.0 out of 5 stars Uma leitura intrigante e reflexiva / An intriguing and reflective reading
Reviewed in Brazil on January 12, 2021
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O ponto positivo do livro é conter as histórias pelas quais, o princípio da simplicidade é utilizada e quando não são utilizadas, tal leitura te convida a pensar de forma simples e nos intriga em identificar como tornamos processos tão complexos, sem necessidades.

The positive point of the book is to contain the stories for which the principle of simplicity is used and when they are not used, such reading invites you to think in a simple way and intrigues us to identify how we make processes so complex, without needs.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Inspiring book
Reviewed in India on July 29, 2022
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I am very much thankful to Ken for this book. This is an incredible book. It unearthed all the stupid mistakes that I have been doing. Every chapter is about deep learning. The book is simple to understand. It is a guiding light. I am really inspired to take action. Thank you, Ken!
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Bruno Mussard
3.0 out of 5 stars Intéressant mais subjectif
Reviewed in France on July 23, 2022
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Un récit intéressant mais assez subjectif étant donné la proximité avec les protagonistes
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Nika Balen
4.0 out of 5 stars Simplicity as a guide
Reviewed in the Netherlands on March 27, 2022
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I am a University of Twente Honours student enrolled in the Entrepreneurship and Business Development track. This book was assigned to me as a recommended reading. This book explains how working with Steve Jobs was, as well as Apple’s way of working. Furthermore, it focuses on one main concept: Simplicity. Segall explains how Simplicity is the driving force of Apple, and how it is used as a guide to all their processes.
Overall, I have more likes about this book than dislikes. Firstly, it captures attention really well, as it gives us the “backstage” stories of working with Apple. Secondly, it has a unique approach, as it always circles back to the main point: Simplicity. At some points, this can become a little bit repetitive. However, this does not affect the quality of the book, as there are many interesting anecdotes that one can learn from. I particularly enjoyed reading about comparison between working with Dell and working with Apple. Segall shows what he learnt from those experiences, as well as how their structures differ. Moreover, it was very interesting to read about Steve Jobs’ way of thinking, as well as how Simplicity is implemented into the organisation’s structure. Essentially, it is very interesting to see how using Simplicity as a driving force really separates Apple from other companies.
I would recommend this book to other Entrepreneurship students, as it shows a unique way of maintaining a business. In particular, it demonstrates how Simplicity can be used to achieve success, and how following this mindset sets your company apart from many others.
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Djan G.
5.0 out of 5 stars Lectura obligada.
Reviewed in Mexico on September 20, 2019
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Excelente libro. Habla sobre cómo dejar de complicar las cosas puede traer grandes beneficios a la empresa y narra muchos ejemplos de la experiencia del autor trabajando directamente con Steve Jobs.
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