Why business blogs are important

More and more companies starts blogging, but why do they do it - what are the benefits? This article gives several arguments and ideas - is blogging the right choice for your company too?

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Full Nelson Problem Solving

If I may, I'd like to begin with a disclaimer. If any of you happen to be one of the "special" people in the world - those who do not have any problems, never have had a problem, and fully expect to never need to solve a problem, then I fear you may find yourself quite confused and wondering what strange language I am speaking.
If, however, you find yourself somewhere within the immense range of "normal", you have and will certainly run into a problem here and there. In fact, you probably find yourself wrestling with some sort of problem every day. You sometimes may even feel like your problems have a choke-hold on you.

I've titled these thoughts "Full Nelson Problem Solving" because I'd like to show you some maneuvers that will allow you to gain the advantage over the opponent and be able to win the match.
Problems come in all shapes and sizes. There are technical problems, communication and interpersonal problems, problems of logic and creativity. You'll be faced with solving your own problems as well as the problems of others. Some problems are directly given birth to by your own inexperience or carelessness while others are wrapped up nicely and dropped into your lap by some mad stork from hell.

I'm sad to say that there is no single step-by-step process guaranteeing that you will solve every problem you encounter - there are many problems for which we, the earthbound, have no answer for. What is needed, rather, are some basic approaches to problem solving that will allow us to adapt our thinking skills uniquely to each problem we face.
If Einstein was correct in his assertion that "problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them," then what sort of new approaches will be needed?

I will suggest five:

• Patient Comprehension
  
• Interviewing the Problem
  
• Research
  
• Visualize the Problem Solved
  
• Restructure the Problem Statement
  

First, begin by deciding you will practice patience while trying to understand the problem. The average problem will create some stress for us and make us anxious to solve it. Our minds leap too quickly to the first conceived solution and we end up sticking a Band-Aid on a gushing wound and calling it good. One trick to having an advantage while wrestling is to study your opponent's moves and know their weaknesses. Resist the urge to begin with a pin-down, instead try to begin with creating a clear statement of the problem.

Next is the interview. Try to personify the problem you are facing. Sit down for a cup of coffee with it and find out what makes it tick. Pretend you are a journalist getting the next big scoop and pose questions to your problem.

1. What makes you think you really are a problem?
   
2. When exactly did you arrive?
   
3. Where are you having the most impact? Where were you before now? Where are you going?
   
4. How did you get here? How can I persuade you to go away?
   
5. Who are you happening to?
   
6. Why are you happening?
   

If journalism isn't your thing, put on an old raincoat and pretend you are the latest reincarnation of Lt. Columbo. Ask your problem - "Sir...you don't mind if I ask you a personal question, do you? ... What did you pay for those shoes?"
Try to be creative, or even absurd with your questions. Allow the answers at this stage to be just as off the wall.

Remember, not all problems are well-intentioned - many will lie to you. This is where your research duties begin. Gather whatever resources you may have available to you; books, the Internet, trusted friends or counselors, past experience and so on. Then begin to separate the true answers from the false or misleading ones. Chances are good that someone else has already wrestled with the very same problem you are, and won.

Now set aside some quiet time. Light some incense, brew-up some exotic tea and settle into your favorite meditative stance. It's time to visualize the solved state. Don't consider your attack plan at this point; just imagine the outcome after the perfect solution, whatever it might have been, was successfully implemented. What does it look like? How does it feel? Have any other sideline problems also been resolved? Have others been created?

By this time, you should have the facts at hand and you have a clear vision of what the end result should. There is one more step before attempting to develop a solution - restate the problem. The best way to state a problem is in the form of a question. Instead of "my problem is that my child won't go to sleep at night", try stating it as "How can I stop my child from getting out of bed every five minutes?"

Remember this too - positive questions are more powerful than negatives ones. "How can I encourage my child to want to fall asleep at night?" will lead to better solutions. Instead of "How can I stop a painful thing?" ask "How can I create a pleasant thing?"

Develop several slightly different restatements of the problem because each one will open up new avenues of thought and lead you into creative and effective solutions.

The main point, in summary, is this; most of us assume that problem solving is merely a process of applying logic and hard thinking. While it is certainly not less than this, when you learn to apply your imagination and emotional skills to the problem solving process you will soon have your problems down on their knees with a firm grip around their neck. You are in control instead of being pinned down and slapping the floor for mercy.