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by Rick Baker
On Oct 27, 2011
Most people think money solves most business problems.
Our experience says otherwise.
An injection of money, in most situations, either delays solutions or obscures problems so they appear to be solved. But, root problems are tough things…like weeds in a garden. You can cover them over. But, somehow they manage to sprout back. You can cut them down. But, somehow they manage to sneak back at you. Business problems are like weeds. Strong roots. Hidden roots. Tough-to-get-at roots.
While it is much less widespread in Ontario than it used to be, you can get rid of weeds by applying chemicals to them.
But, as a general rule, you cannot apply chemicals to business problems.
And, as a general rule, you cannot apply money to business problems.
Money cannot find its way to the roots of business problems.
You can apply money to businesses.
However, that money does not filter its way to the roots of business problems.
So, after the money arrives the roots of the business problems are doing what weeds do to re-sprout.
by Rick Baker
On Oct 19, 2011
Sales Tweet #328 "Put your best people on your best opportunities, not your best problems." Jim Collins
The Thinking Behind the Sales Tweet
Spirited Leaders likes this Collins’ advice for a number of reasons. Here are two: (1) It aligns with an abundance mentality and (2) it aligns with how most people’s strengths can be put to best use.
by Rick Baker
On Apr 26, 2011
I recently listened to a well-known and respected motivational speaker.
I was surprised to hear him say we must not use the word ‘Problem’.
He advised, instead of saying ‘Problem’ we should say ‘Challenge’.
For at least 2 good reasons, I think this is bad advice:
- The word ‘Problem’ is not the problem with problems. The problem with problems is the reaction we have when they visit us. Motivational speakers, including the one I just listened to, know this. They make it clear we must adjust our reaction to problems…which many of them prefer to call – challenges. And, they give advice on how we can adjust our reactions. Regardless, many of them say the use of the word ‘Problem’ is a part of the problem with problems. If their thinking is accurate and the use of the word ‘Problem’ contributes to the problem of problems then…soon…after we all are accustomed to using the word ‘Challenge’ in place of the ‘P-word’…soon…the word ‘Challenge’ will become part of the challenge of challenges. We will have gone through a full word circle to get to the same place we are now.
At the risk of flogging a dead horse: the word ‘Problem’ has evolved from the Greek word ‘problema’… "a problem, a question"…literally "a thing put forward". So, a word that started as a thing put forward has become such a problem of a word we need to change it to challenge. If we do this then sooner or later we will also end up having to change the word challenge… some new word.
- I do not believe we can trick the subconscious mind into believing those things called Problems somehow are eased by changing their names to Challenges. Maybe, they would be eased over generations…but, that wouldn’t solve this matter because #1 [above] would happen at a similar pace.
Conclusions:
- We will always have Problems. And, we will always have a word for them…that word might as well be ‘Problems’. At least, we are used to that word.
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We will always do better if we learn how to adjust our reaction to Problems. That takes time and thought and effort. Tools help.
That’s why we created the P=2S+O© tool.
For every Problem you can come up with at least 2 Solutions and, from time to time, you will uncover Opportunities.
Footnote:
“Intellectuals solve problems, geniuses prevent them.” Albert Einstein
by Rick Baker
On Jan 19, 2011
by Rick Baker
On Jan 6, 2011
I don’t have enough time to do that!
How often do you say that? How often do you think that?
Do you ever question whether or not that is true?
I have been thinking about Time quite a bit lately.
I started thinking about Time a couple of months ago when, one after another, I heard a number of people say they did not have time to do this or to do that. It expanded when a friend asked me if I had read anything by the [Canadian] author Eckhart Tolle1. It expanded more when the people in the LinkedIn group called Positive Thinkers started to exchange ideas about Time.
While this was going on I wrote Thought Posts expressing an opinion Successful people have more time2. Some people argued this was absolutely impossible. Other people said they agreed with the view. And, the LinkedIn group discussion of Time continues. And, I wrote and asked Eckhart Tolle if he would share his thoughts about Time. I know, in one of his CDs, he said “Time is an illusion”. Perhaps, that’s enough said?
Eckhart Tolle teaches the Power of Now and the Art of Presence:
- We only have the present.
- When the present passes, it becomes the past...and it is gone. It is at best a memory.
- The future is not guaranteed to any of us. If it arrives then it arrives as the next piece of ‘the present’.
So, I am about ready to set aside the question “What is Time?” Although, before I do that I will restate my views:
- Time is an organizing-tool designed by Man.
- Time is an introductory effort at measuring the incomprehensible [universe].
Setting aside the definition of Time, most people would agree each of us has ‘the present’. And, during our lives we have a string of pieces of ‘the present’. As each piece of ‘the present’ passes it becomes the past. As the next piece of ‘the present’ arrives it ceases to be the future. We do not know how many pieces of ‘the present’ will come to us. All we know for sure is we have ‘the present’.
We can succeed if we make the best use of the present. Successful people have 2 good habits:
- They do better at defining what success means to them
- They make the better use of the present
I continue to think successful people have more time.
by Rick Baker
On Jan 4, 2011
We have a P=2S+O© philosophy…
For every Problem we should come up with at least 2 Solutions. And, we should keep our eyes and ears open for Opportunities.
We think:
- We should work at Solutions before we take Problems to our bosses: when we have a need to receive help from our boss we should at least take 2 Solutions with each Problem. Our bosses will appreciate that. And, this approach will help us develop keen problem-solving skills.
- Problems do not equal Opportunities in disguise. It makes little sense to seek out Opportunities each time a Problem visits us. This could very well turn out to be an exercise in frustration. On the other hand, Opportunities sometimes jump out at us when we think about Problems. From time to time Opportunities do ride on the wings of adversity. When that happens we must give our Opportunity-ideas our full attention.
I have been asked: How should we go about finding Solutions for Problems?
There are many different ways.
A few months ago, we described one creative framework for Solution generation, Edward de Bono’s “Six Thinking Hats”. Here’s a link to that Thought Post.
Here is another suggestion, Brian Tracy’s 7 Steps to Effective Problem Solving:
- Define the problem clearly, in writing. Go slowly. You want to make sure you identify the components of the problem because one of those components must be solved first, before the others. What else is the problem? You need multiple definitions.
- Identify the causes underlying the problem.
- Identify all the possible solutions. Do not assume there is only one solution. Define your boundary conditions for the solutions and the result you wish to achieve.
- Make a decision: select the best of the solutions. Ask yourself why this is the best solution.
- Establish a fall-back solution, an alternative solution...Plan B, which would be implemented if the solution fails. This forces you to expand your view and it may cause you to change the solution.
- Ask yourself, what's the worst possible outcome if the solution fails and if Plan B fails? Again, this may cause you to alter the solution.
- Assign specific responsibility, who, what, and a deadline for when.
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