Introducing KISSology.
I've always enjoyed a good play on words. A little humour, a clever expression, something that makes people smile. Having spent much of my career in rather corporate environments, I've always appreciated the opportunity to bring a little creativity and playfulness into the mix.
And when I came up with KISS & Co., well, the possibilities were endless!
Your First KISS. Feel the KISS Effect. Get KISS'ed. KISS It Goodbye. KISS Me. Let's Keep KISSing.
You can imagine how much fun I've had with that. And believe me, there were plenty more! Of course, I've had to exercise a little restraint. KISS & Co. is a serious business, built on years of experience, judgement and trust. I'm a consummate professional. But I have a pulse! I believe you can take your work seriously without taking yourself too seriously. And if we can have a little fun along the way, all the better.
The challenge was to create something professional, but memorable. With personality, but without compromising credibility. Because behind all the wordplay, there's a real method(ology) to my madness.
Simple doesn't necessarily mean easy.
Over the years, working across investment banking, FTSE 100 businesses, start-ups, creative ventures and personal projects, I've developed my own way of approaching whatever is in front of me. Different people, different challenges, different circumstances. But often, the same underlying principles.
Whether it's a complex corporate project, a new business idea or something happening in someone's personal life, I draw on curiosity, creativity, critical thinking and practical experience. Understanding the bigger picture, asking the right questions, connecting the dots and working out what really matters. Sometimes the simplest solution requires the most thinking.
What began as a personal reminder to Keep It Simple, Sarah (KISS) gradually evolved into something of a personal operating system — a methodology for how I approach work and life. And naturally, I couldn't resist giving this methodology a name. I affectionately call it my KISSology.
It's methodical, but not rigid. There's room for experimenting, learning and adapting. And importantly, accountability. Because figuring out what needs to happen is one thing; making sure it actually happens is another.
Keep. Improve. Start. Stop.
And because I practise what I preach, I've simplified one of the frameworks I use into four questions:
KEEP — What's working well?
IMPROVE — What could work better?
START — What's worth introducing or trying?
STOP — What's no longer useful or adding value?
Four simple questions that can open up some surprisingly useful conversations.
You can apply them to almost anything — a business, a project, a working week, your home, your habits or the way you spend your time.
Sometimes the most valuable thing isn't deciding what more to do. It's recognising what you can stop doing altogether.
Sarah Says...
You can be serious about what you do without losing your sense of humour.
And simplicity isn't about doing less thinking. It's about making the thinking count.
Got some Stuff to figure out? Contact Sarah