Once these processes are learned company wide, productivity improves through quicker meetings, clearer communications and more obvious accountability.
So what are these four processes?
Step 1 – Capture Thoughts
Mind mapping begins with a word or image that symbolizes what you want to think about e.g. Sales. This is placed in the middle of the page.
Next individually or within the group brainstorm any elements of the issue that comes to mind. As ideas emerge, write only one or two word descriptions of the ideas on lines branching out from the main focus. Allow the ideas to expand outward into branches and sub-branches.
Think fast and capture that explosion of ideas as rapidly as possible.
Encourage people to build on the ideas of others.
Step 2 – Pareto Analysis
Vilfredo Pareto was an economist who is credited with establishing what is now widely known as the Pareto Analysis or 80/20 rule. When he discovered the principle, it established that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population. Later, he discovered that the Pareto principle was valid in other parts of his life and business.
Discuss and agree on which 20% of the ideas on the mind map will potentially give us 80% go forward toward resolution of this issue?
Step 3
Now it’s time to think Positive and Negative. On each of the ideas selected from the mind map ask; what positive forces are we currently using or could use that would drive the issue in a positive direction.
Now list all the factors which are making the issue selected unsuccessful to date. These are the negative influences on the issue. Now ask; what negative forces are currently in place or could be in place that is stopping us from driving the issue in a positive direction.
Again, the Pareto rule (80/20) can be applied to the lists. Now list 3 actions against each of the strategies considered most important.
Step 4
Once you have your ideas, strategies and actions you can capture them in a One Page Plan. Put simply a One Page Plan captures the Now, the Where and then the Strategies and Actions for implementation. This becomes the control document while implementation occurs.
Problem solving is about collecting thoughts around the issue, prioritising which strategies to go after and then capturing the actions, ready for implementation.
The companies I work with can often take a major issue and have a solid plan of attack in action in under an hour.
Call us on 1300 933 074 if you would like to see how easy it is to implement these four processes in your business.