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    Apple Inc - A Case Study In Innovation - Part 1
    Think about Apple computers, and one cannot but be baffled by its riches to rags to riches story. This company epitomizes what innovation and re-invention is all about. At a quick glance, Apple seems to have adapted and learnt to fly with the winds of change. But there is more to this success than just adapting to change.The Setting In the early 2000's, the company was ignored by mainstream. For a long time, the doomsday predictors seemed right. The company stock had hit the pits and any hope was found only in the devout, cult following they had for their computer products, many of whom frequented the annual MacWorld show. A cult following is a g
    efined as the discrepancy/gap between the existing situation and the desired state of affairs. In other words we have a problem when there is a difference between the two states. In managing the problem we are basically attempting to eliminate the gap between the existing situation and the desired state of affairs. The critical success factors must be identified and incorporated as part of desired outcome. An agreement on the desired outcome make it easier to seek solutions.

    At this stage, it would be also a good strategy to identify the possible barriers that are likely to prevent you from reaching your desired state of affairs.

    List Ideas and Possible Solutions

    Developing ideas is an essential par

    Don't Waste Your Talent: Finding The Right Career For YOU
    As I watched the all star game, it struck me how we need to consider our talents and how they fit into this game called life. What position can we play that brings us excitement, challenge and success? A position that allows us the opportunity to work hard yet is worth the effort. A position where sometimes we succeed and sometimes we fail but always feeling the importance of the position as it delivers benefits to the team?In my work, I strive to assist others in understanding the answers to these questions. Here are a few ideas as to how you might begin to find the answers.1. What patterns do you have in your career history? The good news is that every
    In dealing with problems, we need to make decisions. When faced with a situation that warrants a response, we put on our thinking cap. We depend on our thinking skills. Few of us are fully aware of the need to stop and reflect on the situation. We tend to follow the easiest and least resistant thinking path. This is not necessarily always the best response. With smart thinking techniques you will be in a position to respond more effectively to each situation.

    Define the problem

    When you visit your General Practitioner (Medical Doctor) , because you are having fever, cough and sore throat. To you these are problems you would like to get rid. However, to the Doctor, these are symptoms and he is interested in pinpointing the real problem. Through her questioning skills, he doctor attempts to diagnose your illness. Smart thinking requires similar strategy. Let us get started so that we are able to define the problem (Get our diagnosis right)

    • Define the problem by asking the following questions:

    • Who are the people most affected by this problem?

    • Who else is having similar problem?

    • Why is this seen as a 'non-issue' by some?

    • What are the negative consequences, if the problem is not solved?

    • Who are the beneficiaries if the problem is solved

    • What are the root causes of this problem?

    • What are the major obstacles in managing the problem.

    • Where can we look for possible solution?

    • When did the problem emerge in the first place?

    • How quickly we need to solve the problem?

    • How can we solve the problem?

    Answers to these questions should provide adequate information in defining the problem. Defining the problem in writing enable us to understand the scope and the consequences of unresolved problem. This also involves about defining the real problem. Write down the problem in concise terms with no more than 25 words. The emphasis at this stage is defining the problems. No references are made about possible causes or solutions

    Examine the root cause(s) of the problem

    The purpose is to identify all possible causes. The energy and effort should be directed at identifying the root causes that are responsible for the problem. Experts recommend that yo ask the following questions to narrow down the possible root cause(s):

    • What are the possible causes to this problem?

    • Did any changes were introduced (new equipment, new work process etc), just before the problem emerged?

    • Were there any changes relating to people deployment – new employees, transfers etc.?

    • Is it possible to recreate the problem we are experiencing to enable us to pinpoint the root cause(s)?

    Agree on the desired outcome

    A problem is defined as the discrepancy/gap between the existing situation and the desired state of affairs. In other words we have a problem when there is a difference between the two states. In managing the problem we are basically attempting to eliminate the gap between the existing situation and the desired state of affairs. The critical success factors must be identified and incorporated as part of desired outcome. An agreement on the desired outcome make it easier to seek solutions.

    At this stage, it would be also a good strategy to identify the possible barriers that are likely to prevent you from reaching your desired state of affairs.

    List Ideas and Possible Solutions

    Developing ideas is an essential part

    Aquascape Designs: Applying Training and Networking to Employees and Customers Alike
    “In this industry, if you stop learning, you stop earning,” says 2005 Best Bosses Award winner Greg Wittstock, a.k.a. The Pond Guy. The energetic CEO and president of Aquascape Designs, an organization that’s billed as “the world’s number one water garden and pond resource,” isn’t kidding. His customers are a network of certified contractors in the United States, Jamaica and Canada that install ponds and water gardens. As the technology in the water gardening industry evolves, contractors need to stay ahead of the learning curve. That’s where Aquascape Designs comes in.The organization offers a plethora of training opportunities for contractors, from Aquascape Unive
    n pinpointing the real problem. Through her questioning skills, he doctor attempts to diagnose your illness. Smart thinking requires similar strategy. Let us get started so that we are able to define the problem (Get our diagnosis right)

    • Define the problem by asking the following questions:

    • Who are the people most affected by this problem?

    • Who else is having similar problem?

    • Why is this seen as a 'non-issue' by some?

    • What are the negative consequences, if the problem is not solved?

    • Who are the beneficiaries if the problem is solved

    • What are the root causes of this problem?

    • What are the major obstacles in managing the problem.

    • Where can we look for possible solution?

    • When did the problem emerge in the first place?

    • How quickly we need to solve the problem?

    • How can we solve the problem?

    Answers to these questions should provide adequate information in defining the problem. Defining the problem in writing enable us to understand the scope and the consequences of unresolved problem. This also involves about defining the real problem. Write down the problem in concise terms with no more than 25 words. The emphasis at this stage is defining the problems. No references are made about possible causes or solutions

    Examine the root cause(s) of the problem

    The purpose is to identify all possible causes. The energy and effort should be directed at identifying the root causes that are responsible for the problem. Experts recommend that yo ask the following questions to narrow down the possible root cause(s):

    • What are the possible causes to this problem?

    • Did any changes were introduced (new equipment, new work process etc), just before the problem emerged?

    • Were there any changes relating to people deployment – new employees, transfers etc.?

    • Is it possible to recreate the problem we are experiencing to enable us to pinpoint the root cause(s)?

    Agree on the desired outcome

    A problem is defined as the discrepancy/gap between the existing situation and the desired state of affairs. In other words we have a problem when there is a difference between the two states. In managing the problem we are basically attempting to eliminate the gap between the existing situation and the desired state of affairs. The critical success factors must be identified and incorporated as part of desired outcome. An agreement on the desired outcome make it easier to seek solutions.

    At this stage, it would be also a good strategy to identify the possible barriers that are likely to prevent you from reaching your desired state of affairs.

    List Ideas and Possible Solutions

    Developing ideas is an essential par

    The Badge of PI Honor
    Private investigators are people who undertake investigations on behalf of private individuals not involved in any governmental organization. Private eyes usually do work outside of governmental institutions and are not associated with working for any government agency.Although most private eyes are ex-police officers, they do work outside of police jurisdiction and do so to satisfy or to be of service to a private client.The work of private investigators usually covers a lot of investigative work. A bulk of their services usually include working for clients trying to find out if their spouses are cheating behind their backs or trying to compile evidence of i
    problem.

  • Where can we look for possible solution?

  • When did the problem emerge in the first place?

  • How quickly we need to solve the problem?

  • How can we solve the problem?

  • Answers to these questions should provide adequate information in defining the problem. Defining the problem in writing enable us to understand the scope and the consequences of unresolved problem. This also involves about defining the real problem. Write down the problem in concise terms with no more than 25 words. The emphasis at this stage is defining the problems. No references are made about possible causes or solutions

    Examine the root cause(s) of the problem

    The purpose is to identify all possible causes. The energy and effort should be directed at identifying the root causes that are responsible for the problem. Experts recommend that yo ask the following questions to narrow down the possible root cause(s):

    • What are the possible causes to this problem?

    • Did any changes were introduced (new equipment, new work process etc), just before the problem emerged?

    • Were there any changes relating to people deployment – new employees, transfers etc.?

    • Is it possible to recreate the problem we are experiencing to enable us to pinpoint the root cause(s)?

    Agree on the desired outcome

    A problem is defined as the discrepancy/gap between the existing situation and the desired state of affairs. In other words we have a problem when there is a difference between the two states. In managing the problem we are basically attempting to eliminate the gap between the existing situation and the desired state of affairs. The critical success factors must be identified and incorporated as part of desired outcome. An agreement on the desired outcome make it easier to seek solutions.

    At this stage, it would be also a good strategy to identify the possible barriers that are likely to prevent you from reaching your desired state of affairs.

    List Ideas and Possible Solutions

    Developing ideas is an essential par

    Do you Feel Confident about Buying the Business?
    After years of working for other people you decided it is time to take the plunge you feel it is time to purchase your own business. The model you are looking at seems to be perfect, however your gut instinct tells you there is something not quiet right. Generally speaking if your instincts tell you something is wrong, then you will find most of the time there is something missing, you should heed this instinct and show caution.Rushing a deal is never a good idea, even though like me most people are eager to get involved in something new. Saying that the last thing you really want to do is buy this business and then in a few months time say to yourself, I knew there
    p>The purpose is to identify all possible causes. The energy and effort should be directed at identifying the root causes that are responsible for the problem. Experts recommend that yo ask the following questions to narrow down the possible root cause(s):

    • What are the possible causes to this problem?

    • Did any changes were introduced (new equipment, new work process etc), just before the problem emerged?

    • Were there any changes relating to people deployment – new employees, transfers etc.?

    • Is it possible to recreate the problem we are experiencing to enable us to pinpoint the root cause(s)?

    Agree on the desired outcome

    A problem is defined as the discrepancy/gap between the existing situation and the desired state of affairs. In other words we have a problem when there is a difference between the two states. In managing the problem we are basically attempting to eliminate the gap between the existing situation and the desired state of affairs. The critical success factors must be identified and incorporated as part of desired outcome. An agreement on the desired outcome make it easier to seek solutions.

    At this stage, it would be also a good strategy to identify the possible barriers that are likely to prevent you from reaching your desired state of affairs.

    List Ideas and Possible Solutions

    Developing ideas is an essential par

    Become a Customer Enthusiasm-Guru!
    One thing all successful small business owners have in common is the knowledge that their business is based on enthusiastic customers. Despite their multi-tasking titles of bookkeeper, service provider and sales-manager, their most important title is Customer-Enthusiasm Guru.Your question, undoubtedly, is how do I find time in my unbelievably over-loaded schedule to become a customer-enthusiasm guru? Following are a few quick steps you can take to focus on your customer in everything you do:1. Evaluate your customer base. Who are your best customers and why? What similarities do they share? What are their core needs and how do you solve them? This step is imp
    efined as the discrepancy/gap between the existing situation and the desired state of affairs. In other words we have a problem when there is a difference between the two states. In managing the problem we are basically attempting to eliminate the gap between the existing situation and the desired state of affairs. The critical success factors must be identified and incorporated as part of desired outcome. An agreement on the desired outcome make it easier to seek solutions.

    At this stage, it would be also a good strategy to identify the possible barriers that are likely to prevent you from reaching your desired state of affairs.

    List Ideas and Possible Solutions

    Developing ideas is an essential part of the thinking process. You should learn to think creatively. Linear thinking is useful, but if you are interested in new and innovative ideas to close the gap between the existing situations and desired state of affairs, then you need to learn how to think out of the box.

    Asking the following questions will make your approach more meaningful at this stage:

    • What are you interested – a solution that leads to incremental change or radical transformation?

    • Do we know anyone else who had similar problem, but managed to overcome it?

    • Will decision making models such as TRIZ work in this situation?

    Select the best solution, Implement and Review

    Using the decision criteria and the desired outcome as your reference, examine the benefits and limitations of each possible solutions. You should also pay attention to people factors as well. How will the people in the organization will respond to the solution? Will the solution proposed will upset and infringe the rights of the key stakeholders.

    Whenever possible, go slow with our implementation. If solutions can be tested in a small scale or implemented as a pilot project, you should adopt that option. This will enable you to manage the teething problems you may encounter when implementing the solution.

    The review stage, though normally seen as part of control process, we should see it as part of thinking process. By keeping our mind open, we will be able to think through as we manage the solution(s). The smart thinking strategies are useful during the early stage of problem identification and idea generation.

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