What do you do if your problem-solving approach in Business Strategy is not yielding results?

"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." - George Bernard Shaw. A common mistake in problem-solving is jumping to conclusions without understanding the root cause. To avoid this, delve deeper and ask questions like why, how, when, where, and who. Utilize tools such as the 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram, or Pareto Chart to identify the root cause of the issue and prioritize key factors. How do you ensure you're addressing the real problem? Let's share methods and experiences!

?? Review current approach. ??? Identify gaps. ?? Seek feedback. ?? Explore alternatives. ?? Iterate and adapt. ?? Collaborate. ?? Learn and improve.

Identifying the root cause of a problem is paramount in effective problem-solving. Rushing to conclusions without a thorough understanding can result in superficial or temporary solutions that fail to resolve the underlying issues.

Jumping to conclusions and reacting can be a typical pitfall for many companies. However, it's best to take a step back and understand the root cause. There is a temptation to focus on the symptoms before truly understanding the problem you are trying to solve. That will lead to ineffective solutions and a repeat of the same meeting six months later. Asking the right questions to probe deeper into what is the real problem will yield a more effective strategy. This includes testing the assumptions of the proposed resolutions before proceeding on the path forward.

Ask this question first, am I solving the right problem ? or it is a self created problem resonating with others or not ? If you are able answer any of these basic questions revaluate, analyze what you are doing wrong or what we can improve. Run a pilot before going all in.

Seeking diverse perspectives not only challenges our inherent biases but also brings in fresh ideas and approaches to problem-solving. Each stakeholder, be it a colleague, client, or competitor, holds a unique viewpoint shaped by their varied experiences and backgrounds. So, we need to think about how can we leverage these diverse insights? How can we test ideas and assumptions with perspectives from different experiences? How can diverse viewpoints help bring new and different ideas to the table that have not been considered previously? The end result is a more robust and comprehensive review that will lead to innovative strategies and more effective solutions.

If your approach to a business problem is not yielding results it means that you are trying to address the situation from the same consciousness it initially created the problem. This won't work. You need a mental shift. This means further awareness and insight. The best way to attain this is seek out to a mentor. A person that you believe has the professional exeperience and capacity to understand your business model and guide you in the right direction pointing out the development path that you can follow and the resources you can utilize. A coach with emotional intelligence will also allow you to detach from the current problem situation and faciliate self reflection so that you can idenfity real and meaningful answers.