creative problem solving

EP# 057: Positivity

EP# 057: Positivity

Changing the future is not only about learning new skills and applying them to creatively solve problems. It is about developing a positive mindset to change the way you approach life. Unfortunately, most of us focus on the negative, rather than looking for the positives, even in a challenging situation.

For example, if you get a flat tyre on your car, you can be angry and upset. Or you can realize it is a great opportunity to get some exercise and be glad it did not cause an accident. Negativity is habitual.

The real challenge is finding positivity in every situation. Nothing is negative unless you think it is negative. It all starts with your mindset and how you focus on things.

EP# 055: COVID Life

EP# 055: COVID Life

As the pandemic continues, life and work keeps evolving. Many of us face new challenges as we juggle work/life balance. The time is ripe to rethink how we work and how we interact with our customers and partners. There is no better time than now, to improve processes and differentiate yourself from your customers. Dr. O discusses the need to change, create, and innovate, while sharing how he is working remotely and the new challenges he faces, especially working in three time zones.

EP# 052: Creating an Idea Factory

EP# 052: Creating an Idea Factory

An IDEA FACTORY is a deliberate and systematic virtual and physical space which teaches people how to develop ideas and apply them for continuous improvement. An IDEA FACTORY can be for individuals, groups or teams, organizations, or communities. The goal is for people to learn how to develop and apply ideas to solve problems, take advantage of opportunities, create new products, services, or businesses, or improve processes. Now more than ever, IDEA FACTORIES are needed during such a massive time of change.

EP# 048: The Time is NOW

EP# 048: The Time is NOW

It’s a crazy time right now. Millions of people are in jeopardy of losing their jobs. Thousands of businesses are on the verge of closing. Schools are closed and might not reopen for the rest of the year. With all this chaos and uncertainty, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to evaluate ourselves and our businesses. Though we should always be looking at ways to improve and develop new ways to bring value to our customers, most of us don’t bother until a crisis. And the crisis is here. No matter what you believe, things are going get worse before they get better. The time is NOW, to develop new ways to conduct business, keep your employees working, and most importantly keep your business running. Take a deep breath. Sit back and develop new ways to reimagine how to navigate the new normal. Even if things go back to the way they were, there will be some fundamental changes we need to plan for. Don’t waste this opportunity. Put down the game controller and turn off YouTube. It is time to put some brain power to rethink how to do business.

EP# 047: Rethink How You Think

EP# 047: Rethink How You Think

Solve Tough Problems Faster & More Creatively

Do you want to:

  • Create Strong Competitive Advantages?

  • Grow Your Product Platform?

  • Improve Customer Satisfaction?

  • Gain the Trust & Respect of Colleagues and Senior Executives?

If so, Rethink How You Think: Creative Problem Solving for Product Management is the book you’ve been searching for. With this comprehensive guide, you will be able to create new, innovative solutions to solve tough problems and develop new business opportunities!

Become a powerful thinker

Product managers must continuously solve a wide range of problems. Using the 4i™ System of Creative Problem Solving, you will combine five critical skills into a powerful problem-solving process.

  1. Market Research – Identify customer needs.

  2. Statistics – Use data to help support decision making.

  3. Creative Thinking – Create new ideas, anywhere, any time.

  4. Critical Thinking – Narrow your ideas to the most viable, feasible, and desirable.

  5. Decision Making – Make decisions faster with more confidence.

Dr. O has put these five skills together in an easy-to-learn and easy-to-use process using an A3 template to tell your “story” simply, visually, and convincingly. Many people (and organizations) think problems are negative. You will learn that problems are amazing opportunities to use a wide-range of thinking skills to outmaneuver competitors and create a fast-moving, highly innovative organization that focuses on continual improvement and lifelong learning.