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Two
Approaches to Solving Problems
It has been said that 98% of personal or an
organization's problems can be solved routinely.
However, the remaining 2%
of the problems the problems that have the greatest effect on you or your
organization require
creative approaches or
innovation
to surmount.
Build
cross-functional expertise and make
outside-the-box thinking a
habit
to be able to find innovative solutions to old problems.
Simple and
effective solutions to many problems are often just nearby waiting for you
to spot them.
Creative
Problem Solving: Reframing
Focus
on Solutions, not Problems
Your attitude is
extremely important. When you think of problems you'll only attract more
problems. When you think of solutions you'll attract solutions and
opportunities.
Approach the problem with the expectant attitude that there is an innovative
practical solution just waiting to be found.
Think positively. Be relaxed,
confident and clear in your mind.
Your
Best Tools for Effective Problem Solving
To be a great problem solver, you must be open
to new data and ideas, respect the needs others,
build trust,
communicate clearly and honestly,
listen actively, ask
effective questions, be
persistent
and firm in your willingness to have it succeed.
Search
for Opportunities
Victory comes from
finding opportunities in problems,
advised Sun Tzu, the author of the
Art of War. See every
problem as an opportunity if you wish to be a
winner. Ask yourself what new
abilities the problem gives you. Write down how the problem could be
some kind of opportunity.
If your problem is one others share, it's a
huge
entrepreneurial opportunity. You can
solve the problem for everyone. That is how many entrepreneurs get started.
Scott Cook, for instance, was frustrated with the poor quality of software
designed to help him prepare
balance sheets.
He decided to start a software company to fix the problem. His company
Intuit Inc. is now a multi-billion-dollar success story. It provides
business and financial management solutions for small and medium sized
businesses, financial institutions, consumers, and accounting professionals.
Turning Problems Into Opportunities: 6 Tips
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