Solving(?) Problems

As I've been adding to my repertoire of woodworking, I've wanted to make things that are more artistic and unusual. Things I've never seen done before but can't think of a reason why they CAN'T be done. So as I learned to make circular wall hangings and picture frames on my lathe, I thought it would be cool to use those skills in a charcuterie board as well. I even had a name for it in my head-- the Oreo board. So I grabbed some scrap wood (wood is expensive these days!) to see if I could actually make it work. And it started off great!

There were small issues that came up as I tested things out-- how can I mount the wood on the lathe and still cut out the circle? What about the gap created by the tool so the circle is a bit smaller than the wood? I realized I could put a small hole in the back of the circle, which could be used for a dip of some sort and cut out the circle on the lathe. I even figured out I could use colored epoxy to glue the circle back in since there would be a gap between the circle and the main wood piece. Colors! Let's make a "mint Oreo" board, or a "Peppermint Oreo" board! What I didn't take into account was the thickness of the wood and the difficulty cutting a very thick piece of wood that way in a good circle. Oreo board on hold until a solution could be found.

I looked at new tools for the lathe that would work. I looked at hole saws that wouldn't even need the lathe. And then, serendipity. I was at my local Woodcraft taking a class and roamed the store during a break. And I found THE PERFECT TOOL to solve my problem. Super simple router template that cuts perfect circles in any diameter. And I was back in the game.

After that, everything went "relatively" smoothly. I misjudged the amount of epoxy I'd need, had a small leak in the mold that needed to be addressed, and the colors didn't come out exactly as I intended, but all things equal, I think it was a great first attempt (see picture above).

What does this process have to do with my day to day life and my actual career in Procurement? There are always little issues that come up when I negotiate contracts-- unexpected glitches in implementation, added and unforseen costs, budget limitations, or seemingly opposing goals between our company and the supplier. But I have found there are always creative solutions to be had. Sometimes you have to walk away and do something else, or literally sleep on it to find the solution, but it's always there. And when I find it, I know that next time I'll be ready for that hiccup and better prepared and will likely have an even better outcome.

So I encourage you to step away when a challenge seems overwhelming. Get some exercise, walk the dog, play with your kids and let your mind open to things around you. You never know when the solution will hit.

Want to buy an Oreo board (or anything else? )-- Check out my Etsy store.

Need consulting on Procurement processes or challenges, or interested in having me come speak to your team or group? Send me a message.