Book Review: In Pursuit of Elegance

Matthew E. May
Broadway Books,
$23.95, 193 pages

As the economic downturn has given way to a fiercely competitive business climate, the need for innovative solutions and creative ideas is at an all-time high. In In Pursuit of Elegance , author and former Toyota consultant Matthew May sheds light on the art of crafting ideas and solutions through an approach he calls "elegant solutions." These solutions cover a wide range of fields, including science, art, business and sports, and offers insight on achieving maximum impact with minimum input, using seductive and sustainable solutions to cut through the noise, engage the customer, and change behavior forever. Through symmetry, seduction, subtraction, and sustainability, these "elegant solutions" result in a way of thinking that involves doing less rather than more. And in times like these, doing less with more is an invaluable skill for leaders.