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Quickstart - Rational and Creative Problem Solving Part 2
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Quickstart
Grow a Profitable Consultancy and Still Have Time for a Life
In this issue
Note from Beverley - Swap Ideas Day
One Step Further - Rational & Creative Problem Solving Part 2
Personal Reflections - I am only one - and yet...
Note from Beverley
Yesterday - 10 September was "Swap Ideas Day". Yes another celebration day from the good old USA and whilst a celebration might be a little OTT, swapping ideas is a good idea in principle. Who do you know that you could spend sometime brainstorming ideas on marketing, time management or uncovering your clients needs etc. in a better way? (apart from me obviously!!) Sharing ideas is a good way of continually improving how you lead and manage your business so that you don't get stuck in a rut.
Have a good week.
Beverley
bev@onestepfurther.co.uk
www.onestepfurther.co.uk
+44 (0)1258 817647
One Step Further
This is part 2 of the series on rational and creative problem solving. In the last edition of Quickstart, we started to look at this basic 4 step process for problem solving
Step 1 - Take stock of the current situation
Step 2 - Identify and clarify the cause and effect
Step 3 - Identify options and consequences
Step 4 - Envision what if scenarios
Last time we covered steps 1 and 2 (If you want to review steps 1 and 2 click here on Steps 1 and 2). In this edition we look at steps 3 and 4.
Step 3 - Options and Consequences
It is at step 3 that you can really let your creativity loose. The generation of options for how you might solve a problem can be done in many ways and we will look at some of those techniques in future editions of Quickstart.
When looking at options you should always keep in mind the purpose for solving the problem. For example, let's say it's 1pm and your car has broken down. You don't know what's caused it but you know the effect is that you will be late for a key customer appointment at 3pm unless you can get it fixed.
But see how quickly you have jumped to a solution, which might not be feasible, nor might it serve your purpose i.e. fix your car. The immediate and most important problem is actually that you will be late for your meeting not that your car has broken down. So the options need to be related to getting you to the meeting on time not to, necessarily just fixing the car. Fixing the car may be an option but there could be other options e.g. phone a friend and ask them to come and give you lift or phone for a taxi.
So make sure the options you are looking at serve your purpose.
Your process for coming up with some options may consist of the generation of possibilities, assessment of suitability to purpose and assessment of viability. You should then look at the consequences of each option if implemented. Then weigh up the consequences against the severity of the problem and the impact of an effective solution.
For example,
* Would option A be quicker, safer and more cost effective than option B?
* Would option B give you quicker short term results but be cost prohibitive in the long run?
* Would option C solve the problem but be extremely difficult to implement given your company’s financial status and the state of the market?
It is key that you weigh up the options in relation to the consequences of their impact.
Step 4 - What if?
This final stage, before you make a decision and implement your solution, is like a double check and another opportunity to review your thought processes and perhaps extend your consequences thinking.
So you need to ask questions such as
* Have we considered all options?
* Have we taken a logical thought process to our chosen solution?
* If we implement option A what impact might that have elsewhere?
* If we implement option B might that give us opportunity C which we hadn’t thought of?
* What if we could implement option D and E might that solve this problem and improve X?
Again the amount of time, effort and money put into this stage needs to be commensurate with the nature of the problem and the positive effect solving it will have, in comparison with not spending the time doing so.
"It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers" James Thurber
Next time we will look at some creative problem solving techniques and in anticipation of that, if you have any great techniques that you can share with me and your fellow readers of Quickstart, please let me have them by sending them to me by email at
bev@onestepfurther.co.uk
Personal Reflections
I came across this quote by Edward Everett Hale (American author and clergyman of the late 19 century) and it struck me how true it is.
I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
I used this quote last week at the start of a session I was facilitating for a group of directors. Partly because I thought it was relevant to the change that they say they need to make and partly to highlight to them in an obvious way - but without me actually saying it - that taking individual accountability can start right away.
Reluctance to change, stand out or be the lone voice is all too often an "excuse" for action. I accept that sometimes in some organisations being different or seeming to be different by what you say and do can be a bit scary and challenging. However, if you fundamentally believe in the change that needs to be made, step up and start in what ever way you can. This is also true when running your own business.
I know there is so much I want to do, so many ideas that I want to use with clients and prospects and sometimes I get into paralysis mode and do nothing because
1. It is easier
2. It takes little or no effort to maintain the status quo
3. It is not as scary
4. It prevents me from being embarrassed, failing or making a complete fool of myself
But ultimately it is
1. Less rewarding
2. Frustrating
3. Lazy
4. Not what I really want or need for myself
So more often than not I do adopt the. "I can't do everything but I can do something" approach. I know I can't change the world and how it thinks and behaves (nor do I want to on a grand scale) but I can influence those people I come directly into contact with. By saying and doing what I believe to be true, believe will be of value and believe is worth pursuing I can at least do what I can do.
What about you?
Best Regards
Bev
bev@onestepfurther.co.uk
www.onestepfurther.co.uk
+44 (0)1258 817647 |
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