Baby gator problems grow up to be BIG gator problems.

I look fondly at problems and today I am at a Montessori school watching drop offs and pick ups. They are very personal and glitchy to get parents and kids into the routine.

"Why, that little drop off thing is a baby alligator!"

The owner looks puzzled. I remind them about a small problem that is a cute annoyance that will soon get to be 10 feet tall and BITE YA when you grow real fast. and in thier case it is when you have 50 parents all dropping off in a 50 minute window.

Small problems, if left unaddressed, tend to grow into bigger, more daunting issues. Picture a tiny alligator. Harmless and easily manageable, right? But neglecting to tackle it in its early stages can lead to a giant, unruly beast that becomes increasingly challenging to handle. In real life, the same principle applies to problems.

At first glance, small problems may seem insignificant and easily dismissible. Like children who are not greeted by a teacher or and assistant to get them into the classroom in a rapid and orderly manner. They LINGER, grouse, or play games with parents who need to get to work.

However small the problem of drop off is with just a few kids, they have the HIGH potential to escalate and cause significant disruptions if not properly managed.

Just like alligators, business growth can catch us off-guard and overwhelm us if we are not proactive.

To effectively manage the growth of small problems, preventing them from evolving into larger complications is a critical step in training the future TODAY.

Here are a few strategies to consider:

1. Early recognition: Actively identify and acknowledge small problems before they can gain momentum. Addressing them promptly helps prevent a snowball effect that could lead to more significant challenges. In this growing school it happens to be that kids need to get into the care of staff as soon as they get into the door so that is does not disrupt morning learning.

2. Swift action: Once a small problem is recognized, take immediate steps to resolve it. Procrastination only allows the problem to fester and grow. Tackle it head-on with a proactive mindset. Strategy, education, and parent involvement were needed.

3. Seek assistance if needed: Don't hesitate to ask for help if a problem becomes too complex to handle alone. Engaging others with expertise or seeking advice can prevent an issue from spiraling out of control. look at the stakeholders and in the case of the school it was the parents, students, and the teachers who had primary roles to play.

4. Develop preventative measures: Implement preventive measures to minimize the likelihood of recurrence. Identifying the root cause of the problem and addressing it can help to prevent similar issues from reemerging. Theaction we took was putting in a reward system for the kids when they get to class. They got to hang thier star on the chart to announce they were here, the staff and the room said GOOD MORNING, and the child receives a single animal cracker or a three goldfish crackers. Having 15 little people say good morning was a HUGE incentive.

By applying strategies to baby alligator problems, individuals and organizations can mitigate the risks associated with the growth of small problems. Just as vigilant alligator trainers carefully monitor and manage their reptilian companions, we too can prevent the escalation of issues through early intervention and diligent attention.

Remember, it is easier to tame a little alligator than to wrestle with a giant!

PS- Yes I did take this picture and that is a real little gator.