How to Make Things Faster

Chapter 106. The Jeweler’s Method

I learned about the Jeweler’s Method from one of my early mentors within Oracle, my dear friend Dave Ensor. It goes like this…

A man tells his wife that he will accompany her today to the jewelry store, to pick out something nice for a special anniversary. He has saved $200, and this is how he intends to use it. Hugs and kisses all around—this is going to be fun! At the store, a nice jeweler greets the couple and, after listening to their story, leads them to the case with the $200 rings and bracelets and necklaces.

As the husband and wife are discussing the pieces they like the most, the jeweler says, “I’m sorry to interrupt, but these just came in yesterday, and they’re just so exciting that I want you to see them,” motioning to a counter farther to their right. The wife obliges, making her way down to this other counter, as the husband continues to peruse the $200 items.

Moments later, he looks up and notices his wife admiring herself in a mirror, wearing a bracelet from the new collection. The jeweler remarks, truthfully, “Isn’t it lovely on her wrist?” The husband agrees, but he can’t help noticing the price tag. The bracelet from the new collection costs, oh no, $300. But he sees how happy it makes her, and he realizes that now, not buying that bracelet amounts to taking it away from her.

Here’s how the Jeweler’s Method can work for you…

The program that Phyllis runs every day is too slow. After studying the problem, you learn that creating ...