MacGyver Solutions & Using Under-Utilized Assets

I've always appreciated the concept of MacGyver-type solutions (and so I enjoy the re-booted TV series as well). When I was a VP of Operations, I was quite proud of what we accomplished with minimal resources — having minuscule to no resources can spur creativity. Wiley contacted me for a book proposal several years ago, and thanks to a consulting colleague and friend for the suggestion, the working title was "Bubblegum and Paperclips: The MacGyver Guide to Leveraging Under-Utilized Assets". I still might pursue this book as I've always had a passion for what can be achieved with determination and creativity, thanks to my Mom.

I thought my cat exhibited a few of these characteristics by using this empty Christmas box for a fort — or, I could be assigning more ingenuity than he deserves but that's OK..... I bet he thinks we can't see him.

One tip to implement this week: Pick one challenge or opportunity — we all have at least 100 so finding one shouldn't be too difficult. Take a few minutes to think about your situation. What could you use to resolve the issue or leverage the opportunity? Do you have any "bubblegum" lying around? I bet you do! 

For example, instead of jumping to a capital solution, what tools, machines and resources do you have? Perhaps if you tackle the topic from another angle, a breakthrough will occur. I have solved countless challenges with minimal expertise in the particular subject area some thought was required when several experts with the equivalent of "Harvard PhD's" in that subject area couldn't. The MacGyver solution worked. Ask good questions. Rely on the right resources. Think about what you have instead of focusing on what you don't. Solutions will emerge.  

Looking for more ideas to keep your supply chain connected? Access more tips and resources on my blog. And keep connected by subscribing to my newsletter and email feed of “I’ve Been Thinking…”