2010-02-10

The Oreo Solution to Creative Problem Solving

By Don Doman

The commercial starts off with music by Tchaikovsky and three little ballerinas dressed in pink. It’s time for a break. They get out glasses and milk. They pour what milk they have into three glasses and sit down to enjoy Oreos and milk. But, oh my gosh, that’s a Problem solving skill The glasses are thin and tall and the milk is so far from the top. They can’t reach the milk, even with their tiny little fingers, to dunk their cookies. What can they do?

The solution: they pour all of the milk into one glass and take turns dunking their Oreos.

The Oreo Solution: instant gratification can stimulate simple decisions.

How often do we brainstorm, and plan, and theorize, when a simple solution will do? Also, how often do we see the simple solution, but look away because it seems too simple?

We know that we live in a complicated world, so obviously we need a complicated answer. Wrong. I like to look for the easiest answer. One nice thing about the easiest solution is that if it doesn’t work, you can move instantly to another easy answer. that’s a Problem solving skill

I remember a problem concerning a new office building that rose high into the sky. At quitting time there was a rush to leave and the elevators seemed to take forever. People had to wait . . . and when people have to wait, they complain. A study could have been done, but no matter what, more elevators were out of the question.

The simple solution? Mirrors. Mirrors were added to the walls by the elevators. Perhaps, not as satisfying as an Oreo and milk, but they worked. People adjusted their clothing, combed their hair, and added make-up. The wait no longer seemed so long.

The solution was easy. The solution was quick. The solution made everyone happy.

Sometimes the simple solution is right before our eyes. We just need to take advantage of it, dunk our cookies, and smile into the mirror

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Developing Problem Solving Skills for Your Computer Home Based Business

By Chauni Gray

You may have to make a number of decisions with regard to your computer home based business. This is where some of your decisions might go wrong. Furthermore, you may have to face some excessively huge, complex and overwhelming situations. Problem solving skill effectively will determine the success of your business. This article makes an attempt to provide a starting point in Problem solving skill associated with your home enterprise.

Develop decision making techniques:

The skills for making decisions lay the groundwork for developing Problem solving skill. A good leader must possess the important trait of decision making. As someone who is at the helm of your business you should constantly strive for improving the quality of your decisions.

Decision making is directly associated with Problem solving skill. You need to go to the root of the problem, identify and then make an appropriate decision to fix the problem.

The following skills are essential to arrive at an suitable decision that will eventually lead to Problem solving skill:

• Identifying the problem

• Clarity of ideas and judgment

• Staying firm of one's decisions

• Effective implementation

If you are able to develop these traits you will be able to develop Problem solving skill for your business.

Think before you act:

A quick decision when solving a particular problem related with your business could prove to be devastating for your business.

Collect the information and consider all the options available before you make a decision. Write down any pros and cons for each one of the options. If you have time on your side, ask for your team members' advice. Don't leave anything to unturned. Make an educated decision after you have carefully examined the issues from all the angles.

It is your duty to keep all the affected and involved persons (your team members, clients, employees etc.) up to date regarding your steps for Problem solving skill. Ensure that steps taken for resolving the business issues are effectively implemented.

Think before you leap:

After you have outlined Problem solving skill in your mind, take some time to think it over, maybe even overnight. By doing this you could come out with a creative solution to the problem you are facing with in regards to your business venture.

Break up your business problems:

When you are dealing with Problem solving skill you will need to sort your problems into big ones and smaller ones. Then start addressing them in the order of their priority. Tackling problems individually will be much easier than handling all of them at a time.

Don't be too dismissive:

It is not a bad idea to write down the problem. While working on other things some solutions and ideas could come to mind. Put them also on paper. Don't out rightly dismiss even the silly ideas since something that sounds weird initially may be holding the key to your Problem solving skill

The problems concerning your computer home based business will be resolved after you have carefully examined all the options and put your best foot forward

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Problem-Solving Skills: A Key to Customer Service

By Patrick T. Malone

Effective listening skills are key to correctly "reading a situation" or "sizing up a situation." The ability to Problem solving skill, resolve differences and capture opportunities involves these listening skills coupled with another skill, the ability to analyze a situation.

This requires asking the right questions to clarify Problem solving skill, needs, wants and opportunities--what people have now compared to what they'd rather have. This helps you discover other people's perception of the "facts." Following is a questioning sequence called NIQCL that is highly effective for analyzing needs, Problem solving skill or opportunities in depth. With the factual information this probing sequence gives you, you'll be able to form "tailored" solutions that lead to cooperation, teamwork or buy-in.

Need: Does a need, Problem solving skill or opportunity exist?

Importance: How serious is it? Is it a priority? Critical? Sensitive?

Quantify: What is the size and scope of the need? Numbers?

Consequences: What is its impact and effect? What if it's not solved?

Look / Listen: Is the person open to ideas? Suggestions? Options?

This sequence when used with conversational rapport helps determine another person's perception of the facts, increases your own awareness of their needs, generates the data on which customized and personalized solutions can be formed, and leads to well-informed and committed decisions.

Once you really understand another person's perception of Problem solving skill, you will have a much easier time responding with a solution that will satisfy them. This is an essential ability for internal and external customer service, teamwork, sales and any other situation in which your people need to gain the commitment or support of others

Experts in Problem solving skill

2010-02-08

problem-solving and decision-making

simple processes for problem-solving and decision-making

Problem solving skill and decision-making are important skills for business and life. Problem solving skill often involves decision-making, and decision-making is especially important for management and leadership. There are processes and techniques to improve decision-making and the quality of decisions. Decision-making is more natural to certain personalities, so these people should focus more on improving the quality of their decisions. People that are less natural decision-makers are often able to make quality assessments, but then need to be more decisive in acting upon the assessments made. Problem solving skill and decision-making are closely linked, and each requires creativity in identifying and developing options, for which the brainstorming technique is particularly useful. See also the free SWOT analysis template and examples, and PEST analysis template, which help decision-making and . SWOT analysis helps assess the strength of a company, a business proposition or idea; PEST analysis helps to assess the potential and suitability of a market. Good decision-making requires a mixture of skills: creative development and identification of options, clarity of judgement, firmness of decision, and effective implementation. For group Problem solving skill and decision-making, or when a consensus is required, workshops help, within which you can incorporate these tools and process as appropriate. Here are some useful methods for effective decision-making and Problem solving skill: First a simple step-by-step process for effective decision-making and Problem solving skill

See also the decision-making facilitative questions template.

And definitely see the ethical decision-making quick guide.



decision-making process

1. Define and clarify the issue - does it warrant action? If so, now? Is the matter urgent, important or both. See the Pareto Principle.
2. Gather all the facts and understand their causes.
3. Think about or brainstorm possible options and solutions. (See brainstorming process)
4. Consider and compare the pros and cons of each option - consult if necessary - it probably will be.
5. Select the best option - avoid vagueness or 'foot in both camps' compromise.
6. Explain your decision to those involved and affected, and follow up to ensure proper and effective implementation



Decision-making maxims will help to reinforce the above decision-making process whether related to Problem solving skill or not

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Creative Problem Solving

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1. Fact Finding
"Just the facts - nothing but the facts." Make no judgment at this point. You may think you know the problem. The urge to jump to a quick solution is overwhelming - but don't be fooled by a quick and easy solution just to make it go away. Ask questions to collect facts without prejudging. Remember Lieutenant Colombo in the old TV series. He could ask the dumbest questions with perfect innocence. That's how you need to ask questions. Ask, What? Who? When? Where? Why? and How?

2. Problem Definition
How many times have you seen someone rush in to attack a Problem solving skill only to discover that they did not understand it and hence wasted time and energy - and caused bad feelings? Einstein said if he had one hour to solve the problems of the world he would spend 50 minutes defining the problem and 10 minutes solving it. To define the problem ask yourself, 'Why does this problem exist? What are the barriers? What's stopping me?' Once you discover the true problem restate the problem into, ' In what ways might I…?' You are looking for many ways.

3. Idea Generating
Have fun, generate lots of crazy ideas that might solve the Problem solving skill. Use humour to find radical ideas. Suspend the 'rules' - maybe they can be changed. If you are an expert forget what you 'know'. Too often experts cannot solve the problems in their field because the rules are ingrained. The Wright brothers were not experts in aviation - they were bicycle mechanics. Innovative people are those who did not know 'that it couldn't be done.'

4. Solution Finding
Describe the criteria of the best solution.. These might include aspects like cost, time needed, and risk. Pick the best ideas and rate them using your criteria for best fit. Find three best ideas; re-examine your assumptions about each then pick the one you will go with this time. Keep the others as back-up. Turn your expertise back on to evaluate the potential solutions.

5. Acceptance and Action
How do you get others to buy into your solution? The best way is to involve them in the process from the beginning - give them ownership. Sometimes that means accepting a second best solution. If you did not involve the people that are needed to make you succeed it is time to demonstrate the needs that your solution will help them meet.

After Art Fry invented the Post-it note for 3M he could not convince research or marketing to buy into the product. He asked himself, "Who will this product help?" His answer was: secretaries. So he sent free samples to secretaries across North America with the phone number of the head of marketing to call to order more. Guess what happened when the calls started coming in? Art finally convinced his people of the value and 3M's most successful product was born.

In the information age we might be tempted to believe that knowledge is power. But remember the words of Albert Einstein, who said; "Imagination is more important than knowledge

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2010-02-06

Problem solving: Brainstorming on your own

In response to an earlier article on Problem solving skill Heather Smith asked me how I brainstorm on my own. So here's an overview of the brainstorming process and techniques I use

Set the scene for brainstorming

I set aside a block of time to brainstorm. I clear my to-do list for the day and turn off email and phones.

I find changing my location literally changes my perspective. I find walking or sitting in a cafe helpful and notice random input from the outside world can trigger new thoughts.

I make sure I am in a playful mood, so if I am stressed, fearful or angry, coffee and baked goods may be in order!

I am a visual and kin-aesthetic thinker, so I always want pen and paper or a whiteboard handy. If you are more of an aural person, you may want to use a sound recording device.

Retelling and re-framing Problem solving skill

I talk through the challenge with myself, the cat or the television. Verbalizing this way often leads to a deeper understanding, which is why talking therapy works.

I re frame the challenge: What if I had to explain this to a five year old? To a competitor? Or the neighbors Labrador? What if I were someone else? The CEO, a cynical customer, my grandmother... how would things look from their perspectives? What would they do? Ridiculous as this may seem, startling revelations can and do appear.

Often, problems are defined with an implied solution which limits the possibilities. Re framing the Problem solving skill challenges the underlying assumptions about it. “We need more sales to make money” can become “we need to reduce waste to save money”.

What if the problem was not a problem after all? What if the priorities were reversed?

Drawing parallels

I look at how other people in different industries, have solved similar problems. Can their solutions offer any insights?

To make comparisons easier, I create simple conceptual models of situations or processes.

Example: Film camera makers sell cameras cheap and make their profits from consumables. Ink jet printer manufacturers do the same thing. How can this apply to a service provider like a health spa?

Concept association

I look at unrelated concepts to find potential solutions in them, however wacky these may be. A fish does not have nostrils, so gas exchange happens through gill slits; thus instead of using nozzles to pipe cool air into a room, why not use floor-to-ceiling slit vents?

Building a concept extension tree can be fun, too: Bake and sell cupcakes > bake varieties of baked goods > bake for different demographics > tailor opening hours to demographics > create a home away from home > … a potential redefinition of what a bakery is!

Laughter

Laughter is a great benchmark for how well the brainstorming session is going. If I am not giggling or laughing some of the time, then I know the ideas are not flowing.

I like to consider funny, silly, out-of-this-world possibilities as real solutions often hide inside outrageous propositions.

Examples:

  • To attract more customers, we’ll pay them to visit our website! (Email Cash)
  • We want a TV show that’s compelling viewing, so we’ll create a show about nothing! (Seinfeld)

Judgments and evaluations

Brainstorming is not risk analysis or decision making so I consciously set aside all judgments and evaluations. This is often the hardest obstacle as we are more used to decision-making in business.

When I catch trying to logically think through why an idea will or will not work, I stop myself and go into “feel mode” instead. Does the idea feel good or not? If it does, it is explored further and set aside for rational evaluation later. If it is not, I get on another train of thought.

If I constantly find myself thinking “that’s not going to work”, or “that’s silly”, or “I’m just wasting my time” then I am not engaged with the process.

Aiming for a state of flow

The techniques above are not prescriptive by any means. If I get stuck, I simply pick one of these techniques and start from there.

So how do I know if I am doing it 'right'? Remember, it isn't about seriously evaluating the ideas themselves. I go by whether I am feeling good or not. If I am in a state of flow, I feel good, inspired and engaged. Possibilities abound. I lose track of time.

Brainstorming on your own is about having fun, suspending serious judgment, feeling good, going with the flow and simply being generative. We all have the capacity to do this. So go forth and create

Article by Zern Liew

Experts in Problem solving skill