Applying Einstein’s Razor to your business: the power of simplification
Albert Einstein is often quoted as saying, "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." This idea, sometimes referred to as Einstein’s Razor, is a powerful principle that businesses can use to cut through complexity, drive efficiency, and create innovation.
In a world where companies constantly overcomplicate their strategies, products, and processes, applying Einstein’s Razor can be a useful exercise. This idea of simplifying without oversimplifying can help you scale smarter, communicate more effectively, and make better decisions:
1. Simplify your business strategy
Many businesses are struggling with unnecessary complexity with overloaded product lines, complex business models, or endless initiatives that don’t move the dial in terms of growth. Instead of adding more, the key is to focus on the core value that drives your business.
Define your North Star. What is the one thing your business does really well? Keep close to that at all times.
Eliminate the non-essentials. If a project doesn’t directly contribute to growth or differentiation, be prepared to ditch it.
Avoid ‘strategy by committee.’ The more layers of decision-making, the slower and harder it is to run your business.
Steve Jobs applied Einstein’s Razor when he returned to Apple in 1997, slashing the company’s bloated product line down to just four key products.
2. Streamline your messaging for maximum impact
A confused customer doesn’t buy. If your brand message is too complex, filled with jargon, or trying to say too many things at once, it won’t stick. Einstein’s Razor reminds us that clarity beats cleverness.
Cut unnecessary words. If you can say it in fewer words without losing meaning, do it.
Focus on the problem you solve. Customers don’t care about features; they care about what you can do for them.
Use the 'five-second test.' If someone can’t grasp what you do in five seconds, simplify your messaging.
Airbnb’s message—“Belong anywhere.” Three words that communicate its entire brand ethos.
3. Reduce decision fatigue
Too many choices can paralyse your team and slow execution. Complexity in decision-making leads to wasted time and inefficiency.
Use a decision framework. Apply the 80/20 rule—focus on the 20% of actions that drive 80% of results.
Limit choices. Too many options in your business model, pricing, or product line create confusion.
Empower teams to decide. If every decision needs multiple approvals, your company is moving too slowly.
Amazon’s two-pizza rule—if a team is too big to be fed by two pizzas, it’s too large to make quick decisions.
4. Build products that solve problems, not just add features
Feature creep is a common problem, we often hear that this is an issue when we speak to founders and CEOs, who freely admit that this is starting to happen in their business. It's an easy trap to fall in to - keeping adding features to justify pricing or to match competitors. But more features often mean more complexity, which can hurt the user experience.
Solve one problem brilliantly. Your product should have a clear purpose. Avoid the temptation to add unnecessary features.
Get feedback, then refine it. Cut anything that doesn’t serve the core user need.
Prioritise usability. A product that’s easy to use beats one that’s feature-packed but confusing.
Slack started as a simple workplace messaging tool, not a full enterprise solution.
5. Simplify your growth strategy
The best growth strategies are often the simplest, focused on a clear acquisition channel, a defined audience, and a repeatable process.
Identify your highest impact growth area. Where do most of your customers come from? focus on doing more of that, whatever it is.
Automate repetitive tasks. If something is manual and repetitive, find a way to automate it.
Avoid distractions. Not every platform or marketing trend is worth chasing. Stick to what works.
Dropbox grew rapidly by simplifying referrals: “Get more storage by inviting friends.”
Simplification creates speed & clarity
Einstein’s Razor isn’t about dumbing things down, it’s about cutting out the noise so you can focus on what truly matters. The businesses that win aren’t the ones doing the most; they’re the ones doing the right things with precision and clarity.
So, take a step back. Look at your business strategy, messaging, decision-making, product, and growth tactics. Where can you simplify?
Want some help with this process? Book a free 20min strategy call with Laura Derbyshire, Founder of OSER and let's discuss what we can do to get you to a clear growth strategy: