Martin van Grevenstein is a non-fiction writer on the art of getting to the essence in the way we think, and how this affects how we live and work.
Personal life
Martin comes from a Protestant family dating back to the early 16th century Reformation in northern Germany and Holland (1)(2). He grew up, studied, worked in Brussels, Amsterdam, London and Paris (3) and earned a MSc in architecture & engineering (1982) and an MBA (1985) (4). He worked internationally as a brand strategy consultant (5)(6)(7)(8). He now focuses on non-fiction writing.
Publications
– “Getting to the Essence” in the way we think, live & work
– “keep it Simple, Simple, Simple” at work and in management
Reference articles:
“Lazy thinking, the source of all evil in this world”
”Towards a Universal Declaration of Human Nature”
“The paradox of Simplicity”
Key ideas:
– a Universal declaration of Human Nature: a descriptive, non-judgemental summary of essential characteristics
“As humans we each are a complex mix of often contradictory thoughts, emotions and personality traits – both strong and weak, fearless and anxious, sensitive and insensitive, compassionate and jealous, loving and hating, logical and irrational … Individually strong in some areas and weak in others.
Psychologically and philosophically, the fact that we are mortal (biological beings) directly or indirectly drives everything we think & do.
Our gift of free thinking makes us capable of self reflection, of constructive thought, and gives us an unlimited imagination to freely develop any explanations, theories or visions. This is a challenging combination that leads to a mind filled with questions and doubts, fears, dreams and aspirations …“
– mental simplifying redefined as a sophisticated way of thinking: “a mental and intellectual process to resolve and reduce complexity” with the following base Laws: “1. Simplifying is an essential human need 2. Simplifying is a method 3. Simplifying brings effectiveness 4. Simplifying brings peace of mind”. It includes the 3-step simplifying methodology of “clarify, structure, prioritize”.
– the Rule of Three: “1,2 or 3 is the maximum number of objectives, tasks or steps anyone can fully remember, integrate or work with at any one time.”
– the simplifying factor in management: “any unresolved complexity or any lack of clarity leads to a loss of effectiveness, productivity & turnover”
– intra’novation in business: innovating within the existing product range, improving specific aspects and features, often in small subsequent steps.
References
(1) – De Navorscher, Contribution to the genealogy of (van) Grevenstein, 1936, C.Kruys
(2) – Academy of Franeker, Genealogical Yearbook, 1976, J.A.U.M van Grevenstein
(3) – moved to Brussels for middle & high school, studied/lived in Delft-Amsterdam, lived/worked in London 1982-1984, studied in Fontainebleau-Paris 1984-1985, lived/worked in London 1985-1991, lived/worked in Brussels from 1992
(4) – Insead Alumni Association, named administrator, 2015
(5) – Fortune magazine, “New managers in Europe”, Rik Kirkland, 1985
(6) – “Raymond Loewy, pioneer of american industrial design” Prestel books, 1990, page 169
(7) Trends magazine, “More than a logo”, editorial, 1997
(8) The Banker, “Brand new world”, Karina Robinson, 2011(9)
Martin van Grevenstein 