DEFINE PROBLEMS BEFORE PURSUING SOLUTIONS

SHARED FROM ARTICLE BY CHRIS READ

ACCOUNTANTS TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2007

Prescription before diagnosis

Managers are confronted with a wide range of problems ranging from broken machinery, to late deliveries, to unhappy customers, and to conflicts among employees.  Other problems are really symptoms of more basic underlying problems.  In addition, managers are often presented with problems that inspire futility!

The hardest part of problem solving is figuring out what the real problem is.  Very often the present problem really is not the problem that needs to be solved.  Managers need to peel back the onion, and dissect it, before accurately defining the real problem.  Large problems should be broken down into smaller, less intimidating ones.  The problem statement should be free of either causes or solution.

ADDITIONAL STEPS

1.      Collecting and analyzing data

2.      Generating options or solutions

3.      Evaluating options on solutions

4.      Making a decision

5.      Implementation of the decision or action plan

6.      Evaluation to see if the problem is solved

There are many steps in the problem solving process.  The best managers dissect basic problems.  They treat the roots and not just the leaves.  Spending more time at the front end of the process to define and solve the real problems, leads to real progress.

PRESS ON LONGER TO SUCCEED

SHARED FROM ARTICLE BY STELLA READ

ACCOUNTANT TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2007

The difference between the successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, rather a lack of will

- Vince Lombardi -

Management and leadership are not mystical things.  They consist skills and techniques that can be practiced and improved upon.  Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.  Managers need to be flexible and create the right environment for motivating employees to stretch their limits.  They have to be somewhat multi-dimensional to deal with the varied needs and desires of their employees.

Managers have a responsibility to influence their people’s thinking.  Managers have to constantly find ways to present and sell ideas so they inspire people.  Management is challenging, exciting and rewarding profession.

Best managers naturally press on with persistence and determination until they reach their interim goals, and their ultimate vision.  Managers must keep their responsibilities in focus-in full view.  A crucial part of the manager’s undertaking is to train and develop subordinates and this means not constantly ‘interfering’ or jumping in to do their work.

LESSONS FROM A GLIZTY NIGHT OUT

SHARED FROM ARTICLE BY JOJO STRUYS

DIFFERENT SPIN, STARMETRO, FRIDAY 29 MAY 2015

The world is an unfair place and that’s not going to change.  Neither is the fact that men are always going to love beautiful women.  The world is full of labels.  If unable to avoid the depressing reality of that, try to have the strength to rise above it and not be seduced or tainted by it.  We often stereotype people and pigeon-holed them into boxes that may be far removed from the truth.

Instead of just seeing incredible looking women, dug a little deeper.  You will find that they all had a story.  We all do.  When we are dazzled by the surface, we sometimes don’t look beneath the sunny smiles.  Never judge a book by its cover.  Try not to judge at all because until you walk in someone else’s shoes, people are almost never what they seem.