Simple Steps=Better Results

When I first read Nelson Searcy's book Activate, on developing a small group system one of the things that grabbed my attention was his insistence on a one-step sign up. According to Searcy, the more steps you have in the process, the less likely people will sign up.

Not only is it a good idea to have as few steps as possible, but it's also important that the few steps we do have, (especially the first step), need to be simple. When the steps we give people are difficult, or require undue explanation, we're asking them to take too big of a leap. And most likely they will be reluctant to do so because their fear of failure will kick in and hold them back. It's like asking people to climb a ladder with the first four or five rungs missing.

In light of this here are some application questions for you to consider.

• What is your process for getting people involved as volunteers, small group participants and members?
• Is each process more than one step?
• Does each process need explanation or is it self-explanatory?

We keep saying, "it's not rocket science", but sometimes, based on our multi-step processes for getting people assimilated, you'd never know it.