“If I were given one hour to save the planet, I would spend 55 minutes defining the problem and five minute resolving it,” Albert Einstein said. Those were wise words, but from what I have observed, most organisations don’t heed them when tackling innovation projects. Indeed, when developing new products, processes, or even businesses, mostContinue reading “spend time defining the problem”
Author Archives: Andrew Mann
Why simplicity is the best problem solving tool
Simplicity is a compelling problem-solving tool. Simplicity leads to solutions that are: But human beings are prone to complexity bias! Complexity bias is our tendency to believe that complicated solutions are better than simple ones. We assume a big problem must require a certain level of knowledge and effort to solve. In other words, aContinue reading “Why simplicity is the best problem solving tool”
look at the bigger picture to solve problems
There once was a farmer who grew exceptional corn. Each year the Corn Growers Association honoured him with first prize for the highest quality corn. A local newspaper reporter interviewed him on the secret of him success. Whilst keeping a little of the information under his wide brimmed hat, the farmer volunteered the fact thatContinue reading “look at the bigger picture to solve problems”
different approaches to same problem
One day, the Winston Churchill and his wife were walking through London. People greeted and exchanged words with the Prime Minister. A street sweeper greeted Mrs. Churchill in particular, and the two stayed aside for a while engaged in a friendly conversation. Churchill then asked his wife what she had had to discuss with aContinue reading “different approaches to same problem”
What would my Mother think of that?
A few years ago the Kenyan Bronze Medalist Abel Mutai was running a cross-country race in Burlada, and just before crossing the finishing line he became confused with the signage and stopped running, thinking he had already won.The athlete behind him, Ivan Fernandez Anaya realised what had happened and began to shout at Mutai toContinue reading “What would my Mother think of that?”
Find time to sharpen your saw
many people work harder but not necessarily smarter : find time to sharpen your saw.
know where your value lies
My god-daughter Angharad has just graduated with a Masters from university (proud god-father) and this reminds me of a story I was told by my dad when I graduated. A father said to his son “You have graduated with first class degree, congratulations. Here is a car I bought many years ago. It is prettyContinue reading “know where your value lies”
Time to pull out your recessionary playbook
We’ve seen lots of headlines in the past few days after Kantar published their latest update across all the trade and retail press. Food retailers have been trying to hold back the tide of price increases as they face competition from the discounters Aldi & Lidl, but inflation is here to stay at a timeContinue reading “Time to pull out your recessionary playbook”
the cook and the key
Long ago a cook lay languishing in a dimly lit palace dungeon having been accused of over seasoning the royal broth. As the day dawned for his release, he heard the welcome sound of the jailer descending the steep stone steps to his cell. Freedom, however, was not quite in his grasp. The jailer unclaspedContinue reading “the cook and the key”
seventeen camels parable
Long ago a camel trader died, bequeathing his wealth to his three sons to be divided as follows: The eldest to be given a half, the middle son one third and the youngest son a ninth. The inheritance consisted of seventeen camels. As hard as they might try, the sons could find no solution thatContinue reading “seventeen camels parable”