Business Problem Solving

Making a strategy of attack to put out a fire in your business is neither a time-consuming nor indecisive exercise. There is nothing wrong with taking a moment to look at the current situation. There is no need for fear of getting it wrong or of failing to act in the right way. Here, will share with you some basic techniques for business problem solving starting with examining problems, and then onto a specific area-specific tests for uncovering the real root cause.

First, consider your strategy of action and make sure it is practical. A business problem solving session can go in many different directions. You can start by asking yourself, "What's the best solution?" Do not get sidetracked by focusing on what "might" be your best solution and ignore everything else. You will be much more likely to make a well-informed decision and achieve your objective.

Second, set up problem-solving sessions regularly. An issue tree diagram is an excellent way to set up your business problem solving sessions. With a diagram, you can identify which problem your group is currently addressing and that other issues are tangential to that issue. As you learn more about each issue and its potential answers, you can make more effective choices regarding the solution.

Third, use tools to help you learn and practice your business problem solving skills. A great way to learn is by doing practice interviews with others in your organization and having them ask you questions relevant to their business problems. Record your answers in a log, highlighting your key points and discussing how you addressed the question. Record the date, time, and address of the call, along with any insights or advice you shared. As you do this, you will be developing your own problem-solving skills, which you will apply to other situations.

Fourth, use "problem solving" as a motivating factor. One of the keys to business problem solving is that the solution must be compelling enough to keep people working towards it and focused on the desired outcome. If people are motivated by the prospects of finding the right solution, they are much more likely to stay on track and complete the task at hand. This will increase your likelihood for success and bring you closer to your ultimate goal.

Fifth, encourage people to come up with their own potential solutions to the problem. You may be able to provide some insight into why people fail to obtain the best solution. By making it clear that other options are available, you encourage people to explore these alternatives and come up with their own viable options. Doing so will give you an opportunity to learn new approaches to problem-solving and can result in a successful solution being achieved.

Sixth, incorporate issues into your income statement (line item). An income statement is a statement that details your total revenue, less your expenses, over a period of time. The beauty of including issues in your income statement is that they are easy to understand and describe. An income statement is really all about outlining how you make money: income from work, income from investments, profits, and dividends. Include issues in your income statement that directly impact your financial future: existing debts, future debt obligations, insurance premiums, taxes, and mortgage payments. When you identify the root cause of the problem, you can take steps to correct it.

Seventh, use problem-solving skills to improve your relationships. People who enjoy working in a group and getting tangible results are more likely to get further along in their careers and achieve more in their careers. In organizations, leaders who enjoy problem-solving activities are more likely to achieve higher performance levels. These activities can range from simply staying connected to others to more complex activities like leadership consulting and mentoring. Whether it's improving your interpersonal skills to help solve problems or enhancing your management skills for long-term success, it's important to know that you don't have to go it alone.