Posts from — October 2008

In all the talk of business leaders, one name rarely surfaces among the Welches, the Goizuetas, the Waltons, and the Gateses. And that’s the name of one who has been gone for a decade and half, but whose example is just as clear and vivid as ever.

I refer to Ray Kroc, the founder of the McDonald’s Corporation: a leader driven by vision, but one willing to nurture talent and ideas not his own, a rare combination for an entrepreneur.

1. Close the door and clear your mind of minute-to-minute thoughts.

2. Stretch and relax.

3. Focus on one issue you want to consider.

4. Look at the issue from more than one perspective. (Your employee’s? Your customer’s? Your bosses? Your competitor’s?)

5. Do not expect immediate answers.

1. Consider what is causing the problem. (Is it the employee, or is it the situation?)

2. Ask the employee why he or she is having a problem. (Look for ways to provide assistance.)

3. Focus on behavior, not personality.

4. Be specific in your criticism. (Provide specific examples of what the employee can do to improve.)

5. Set expectations. (Give one assignment with a firm deadline.)

1. Keep an open mind. (Sometimes creative thoughts come when you are at your busiest.)

2. Think sideways and upside down. (Assume different perpsectives – your competitor’s, your employer’s, your customer’s.)

3. Brainstorm with colleagues.

4. Look to combine one, two or three ideas into one terrific idea.

5. Let thoughts ruminate in your brain overnight. (John Cleese, the gifted comedian, practices this technique.)

Your ability to communicate is the most important skill you can develop to get on to the fast track in your career.

Perhaps the most important thing you do in business is to solve problems and make decisions, both by yourself and with other people.

Use A Systematic Process …
A major type of communication in the business organization is meetings for problem solving and decision making.

The key to effective problem solving and decision making discussions, is for you to all go through the process systematically.