Everyone experiences problems at work. It doesn’t matter whether they own the business or simply work in it. Sooner or later, they are going to run into problems.
Fortunately, most problems are minor. They can be resolved with a few more resources, a little research, or the advice of a paid consultant. Some even go away on their own. Often, this is because of some extraordinary good luck or because their significance appears to diminish over time.
Still, a few problems arise that you will have no idea how to resolve. These problems become a bottleneck in the business process. Everything slows down because of the problem. Moreover, the longer the problem persists, the worse it gets until it even threatens to destroy the organization itself.
Get the Right Steps and Tools to Solve Business Problems
The reason workplace problems stress you out is that you have no idea how to handle them. As a result, you feel helpless, stuck, and frustrated. However, you would feel differently, if you had the right problem-solving skills to handle almost all problems, including the most baffling ones. You would now look at problems with a sense of curiosity, as an interesting puzzle to solve. You would no longer feel threatened by their size or scope.
Although there is no shortage of problem-solving systems, most are only good at solving mild to moderate problems, helping you develop a solution by getting a new perspective on the causal factors behind a problem. However, one problem-solving methodology that has developed a worldwide reputation is a management methodology called six sigma. Acquiring lean six sigma certification will teach you how to apply a comprehensive problem-solving process called DMAIC.
DMAIC, used for existing processes, will teach you how to Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control a process. You will be given steps and tools for each phase.
Here is a quick overview of how each of the steps work:
First, you will define the problem that has to be resolved. If there are a number of possible problems, it will hone in on the problem to work on. It will also help you to clarify why the problem is problematic.
Second, you will measure the problem. You will quantify it. If money is being lost because of the problem, how much is being lost? If there is a continuous drop in orders for a product, at what rate is demand falling over time?
Third, you will analyze the problem. What is the cause of the problem? Is there a single cause or multiple causes? If there are multiple causes, is one a root cause or is there a confluence of independent causes?
Fourth, you will improve the situation. What action or series of steps or procedures can you take to resolve the problem? Can you verify that you have found the right solution — or have you just plugged a leak?
Fifth, you will control the solution. What is necessary to maintain the solution?
Appreciate the Value of Your New Superpower
Now that you’ve acquired a methodology to solve most business problems, what exactly can you do with it? Here is a short list of some of the things you can now do:
- You can improve customer loyalty.
- You can improve time management and increase productivity.
- You can reduce the cycle time of various business processes. For instance, your order fulfillment department could streamline their processes to get products into the hands of consumers faster.
- You can improve employee engagement and increase the number of talented people who are motivated to help the company prosper.
- You can improve your business plans, strategies, and tactics.
You Aren’t In Kansas Anymore
By getting skilled up in a proven problem-solving methodology, you will know what you can do to solve business problems. This will change your whole attitude to problems. A work-related problem will no longer trigger anxiety. The problem will change from a monster into an enigma and from a threat into a challenge. You will instantly transform your attitude toward a potentially frustrating experience into something that is worth investigating and resolving.
Photo by Damian Zaleski on Unsplash
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