Being open-minded in the business world can be challenging and a bit intimidating for many managers. The ability to think “outside the box” is a risky undertaking, but there are situations in the management profession when creative problem solving is called for. Creative thinking opens the mind of a manager and his/her team and allows for a free-flowing, idea generating meeting. Successful managers and business owners have a common ability to approach problems with an open-minded and curious attitude. Successful managers also have the ability to define when traditional problem solving is called for and when it is time to apply creative problem solving.
How To Know if Your Situation Calls for Creative Problem Solving – Sign #1
“Are We Talking About This Again?”
Has this problem, or situation, been happening over and over again? Do you find yourself, or your team, coming back to the table with this same, recurring issue? This is a sure sign that traditional problem solving is not working and it’s time to invest in some creative problem solving techniques.
How To Know if Your Situation Calls for Creative Problem Solving – Sign #2
“When Did This Become a Problem?”
Perhaps things in one area of your business have never been an issue and have sailed along perfectly. Suddenly, one day, it is brought to your attention that there is suddenly a problem in that department. This is a great opportunity to employ creative problem solving. Whereas traditional problem solving might “put the fire out”, creative problem solving enable you to do more fire prevention in a unique way. Make use of existing information and challenge your staff, or yourself, to think in a creative way to correct this problem.
How To Know if Your Situation Calls for Creative Problem Solving – Sign #3
“I Don’t Know What To Do About This!”
It is very possible that situations in business will arise that simply don’t fit the mold of a traditional problem. Why try and solve these problems with traditional thinking? This is an opportunity to put your creative thinking cap on and get your team thinking. A good place to start in this brainstorming session is asking yourself, and your staff, how they view this issue. You will find that how someone views a situation will lead to the beginning of a creative solution.
How To Know if Your Situation Calls for Creative Problem Solving – Sign #4
“Let’s Take a Chance!”
Face it, there are very few genuinely original ideas. In the business world it is imperative to not only know what goes on inside your company, but to be aware of how other companies perform, too. If you find yourself presented with a problem that can handle a risky solution – attempt to use creative problem solving. Take a good look at your competitors. Take a good look at businesses that are not your competition and see how they handle problems. Your company may not be a dry cleaner, but a visit to your local dry-cleaner could give you tremendous insight into how another company handles orders, vendors, and customers. If you find that your company is satisfactory and “good enough”, it is time to raise your standards.
How To Know if Your Situation Calls for Creative Problem Solving – Sign #5
“Problems, Problems, Problems – All We Have Are Problems!”
If this is your mind set in your business, it is definitely time to utilize creative problem solving. You and your staff need to be revitalized and constantly utilizing the “same ol’-same ‘ol” traditional problem solving techniques is damaging your business mind-set. A change of attitude is definitely the place to start. Emphasize to your staff, and yourself, that in the business world these issues are not “problems”; they are challenges.
