Option Solving Blog

Executive’s best option for becoming more consistent in his focus: using Option Solving?

Peter Arthur-Smith — Fri, 25 May 2012 20:08:54 +0000

Three or four weeks ago I found myself talking to an executive about his need to more consistently follow-through on key issues to make the greatest impact. Once this issue was out in the open, his obvious question was how he would accomplish this. He was already familiar with the Option Solving technique, so we readily started using it to figure out his best alternative.

We immediately embarked on developing the right question to prompt the options he needed for making the best personal choice. As part of that question we came up with a list of eight considerations, of which he chose 50% of them as more decisive than the others. Ultimately our question looked like this: “What is my best immediate approach in becoming more consistent in my focus, considering it’s easy to get mired in the day-to-day “muck,” my personal organization skills/discipline needs attention, to ensure………….see the Latest Example.

With this question in view, I now challenged him to develop “yin and yang” bookends, to not only frame things for his intuitive mind but also stimulate it to come up with the most plausible options. When you look at the latest example, you will see he picked: Don’t change and, at the other end, Back to earlier executive role. Since he wasn’t about to choose either, he gives the reasons for that.

Now his intuitive capabilities were primed to be as creative as possible, owing to the dissonance these two “bookends” caused. We then had a good creative discussion as he developed six options A thru F, again to be found in our Latest Example. Option Solving is clearly great for getting people to think out of the box, as you will see.

In our next blog in 2 weeks time, we will do a version of Peeling the Onion on his choice. You will see how Peeling the Onion helped him find further refinements in his approach. This can go on for several iterations, which will provide ever greater tactical refinements to his original dilemma.

If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area. Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “An executive’s best option for becoming more consistent in his focus- Peeling the Onion.” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

Welcome to Option Solving (for dealing with Decision Dilemmas) -also see latest examples below

Peter Arthur-Smith — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:45:54 +0000

See below, “An executives best option for becoming more consistent in his focus?” ” Next posting in 2 weeks: “‘An executives best option for becoming more consistent in his focus by Peeling the Onion?” Also, go to www.youtube.com and type in Option Solving and go for the 1 min 48sec version: this will refer you to OSOLing (Option Solving On-line: a virtual way to deal with your Dilemmas)READ ABOUT THE INTERESTING, WIDE-RANGING APPLICATIONS BELOW: including the latest blog. Go to SUBSCRIBE email-to your left, if you want regular notification of blog updates.

Read the book, Smart Decisions: Goodbye Problems, Hello Options. And visit the author’s main website at www.ileadershipsolutions.com

Peter Arthur-Smith, Originator of Option Solving

Daniel H. Pink, author of business best seller “A Whole New Mind”, with new book “Drive” says, “Peter Arthur-Smith has produced a savvy and practical book that will change how you approach the challenges in your business. By showing you the limits of ‘problem-solving’ and the power of whole-minded thinking. SMART DECISIONS will expand your strategies and widen your possibilities.”

Peeling the Onion – Wooing someone our way: using Option Solving?

Peter Arthur-Smith — Sat, 12 May 2012 03:49:08 +0000

Based upon our last example two weeks ago, my friend opted to Peel the Onion on his option choice at that time. Assuming he chose option A: Expose him (John) to more products and materials to hold his interest”: then our Latest Example shows the new related question, considerations, bookends and sub-options that emanate from that choice.

This now gives my friend a new range of options to consider. So he now engaged in “emotional distancing,” by working on something else for a while, and then returned to select an additional choice from his sub-options. This now refines his approach toward attracting John.

If my friend so wishes, he can repeat the Peel the Onion exercise in order to find further refinements in his approach. This could go on for several iterations, which will provide ever greater tactical refinements to his original dilemma.

If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area. Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “An executives best option for becoming more consistent in his focus.” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

What can we do to woo someone our way: using Option Solving?

Peter Arthur-Smith — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 01:15:12 +0000

Following an introduction to a possible future executive by another professional, a friend sat down to prepare for his first face-to-face meeting with John following a brief introductory phone call. Bringing John aboard would be a real ‘coup’ for my friend’s organization, so he was open to consider his options prior to any meeting.

By going to our Latest example, you can see the steps that my friend followed to develop a range of options. These included:

Step 1: Start formulating an appropriate question.

Step 2: Complete this question by clarifying the key considerations.

Step 3: Create two extreme edge “bookends” from this comprehensive question that frame future options and challenge our intuition to create plausible options.

Step 4: Create at least 5-6 plausible options.

Step 5: Allow for some “emotional distancing” so that our intuition can make an optimum choice.

Step 6: Make the choice and then either ‘Peel the Onion’ or consider ‘Next Steps” relative to the final choice.

My friend was now better prepared for his face-to-face meeting and next time we will learn about the outcome and how he had to ‘Peel the Onion’ on his choice, in order to progress things further.

If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area. Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “‘Peeling the Onion’ on this week’s choice.” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

What can I do to win a second chance: using Option Solving?

Peter Arthur-Smith — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:12:25 +0000

Just over two weeks ago, I found myself with a small group of salespeople who were sharing business development experiences. One person in particular shared how he seemed to be shut out from an important prospect after an initial meeting which obviously went wrong. He was seeking advice on how he might change the situation, especially as he was at a recent reception where he met certain people from organization X who were wondering why there wasn’t a working relationship with him. This salesperson knew the company principal , but he was not in favor with the buyer S.

I took it upon myself to introduce this group to the concept of Option Solving for resolving difficult situations. After sharing the necessary steps, I encouraged them to come up with a question that would challenge their intuitive minds to develop some alternative solutions. Their question started out with: What is the best immediate option to get a second chance with S: considering…?

They came up with a list of ten considerations, but decide to focus on 50% of these (or 5), which included: “The failed first attempt, non-response since (despite extra efforts), S’s boss had reintroduced A (the salesperson), the people at X lamented the lack of A’s involvement, and the need to do better next time around.” You will find the full question in the blog’s Latest Example.

With this question in place, they set about arriving at two “bookends”. These were to be two extreme, “yin and yang” options that would provoke their intuitive mind’s to push them away in preference for more plausible options. They would also set boundaries on the range of alternative possibilities. Following some lively deliberations, they produced two: “Sit and wait for S to call (she may never do so),” and “Do something bizarre to catch her attention (this may invoke more difficulties).” Note how each bookend was qualified as to why it wasn’t a viable option.

Since the group couldn’t work with these extreme options, they rapidly started exchanging alternatives. Ultimately they created 5, two of which were: “Wait for 2 weeks and nudge her boss again,” and “Send something special to S in the mail” You will find their three other thoughtful options in our Latest Example.

Now we adopted some “emotional distancing” for the next 10-15 minutes, where we talked about other sales challenges. We covered up their option picture in the meantime, so that the group’s “innate common sense” or intuitions would work their incredible magic, in an instant, once they returned to it. During this emotional distancing, their minds would subconsciously chew over all their similar experiences and ideas.

At the 15 minute mark, the option picture was uncovered and participants were requested to confidentially write down the alphabet letter that corresponded to their choice. It only took a few moments for them to hand over their “ballot” choices. Once the tally was in, a primary choice emerged: even though there were other suggestions. ‘A’ decided to pursue this suggestion, since it was the “wisdom of the crowd.” We can tell you it was the right choice: you can take your own guess.

If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area. Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: ‘What can we do to woo someone our way?’ Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

What can I do to win the cooperation of an important alliance: using Option Solving?

Peter Arthur-Smith — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:43:16 +0000

It wasn’t so long ago that I was discussing with a senior operations executive about his challenge of building a more productive relationship with a key business alliance. He advised me that the entity in question wasn’t that easy to work with, owing to the personalities involved, even though the prize of an effective relationship would be considerable for both parties.
It was only natural to encourage this executive to think about his own style of operating, for him to understand to what extent he was either helping or hindering things. Unfortunately, as is the case with a number of executives, his rather brusque and domineering style was clearly not helping the situation. Even so, I thought, if I could get him to come up with positive solution, perhaps I could also encourage him to look at his own style in the mix.
By explaining to him the option solving technique, he was intrigued to work with it as a way on unearthing a viable solution. After running through the various 6-7 steps, we set out to create the most appropriate question starting with: What can I do to win the cooperation of an important alliance: considering…?
Together we produced a listing of five considerations and he decided to incorp-orate all of them, which included: “The financial sensitivities involved, egos at stake, safety issues involved, need to optimize reliability, and the huge prize of success. Go to the blog’s Latest Example to see the question in full.
Now his question was ready, he set about producing two “bookends”. Two extreme, “yin and yang” options that would test his intuitive mind to reject them in a search for more appropriate options. Simultaneously, they would also set limits on the range of option possibilities. After some thought and discussion, two bookends emerged: “Get rid of current alliance (although there were few viable alternatives available),” and “Do it ourselves (this would mean a major invest-ment).”
His intuition could not buy-into these extreme options, so he quickly started searching for alternatives. Note how he qualified each extreme stance with a rationale as to why they were unacceptable: a further nudge to his intuitive powers. With these testy “bookends,” his intuitive mind started racing to find better options.
You will observe how he produced an interesting range of 5 options, which can be viewed in the blog’s Latest Example. One of them included: “Stand back and be hands off.” You will notice he came up with four other rather thoughtful options, also to be found in our Latest Example.
We took a break for about 15 minutes to permit some “emotional distancing.” We discussed some other quite unrelated issues, with our original picture of options turned over on the table, so we could concentrate on something else for a while. It was important to allow his intuitive mind to work its subconscious magic and chew over the options, at the same time seeking comparisons from past experiences…all in a relative instant.
When we turned the sheet back over, he took a few moments (literally) to review the contents and then made his choice. This choice was to work best for him and the situation as he saw it. I didn’t waste this epiphany moment, since I used it to also talk about his own style as well as his next steps: both of which reinforced a positive outcome from his perspective. He could now, all of a sudden, see a clear way for moving forward, which is quite satisfying as you will already appreciate.
If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area. Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: ‘What can I do to win a second chance?’ Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

What is our best option for minimizing vehicle claims: using Option Solving?

Peter Arthur-Smith — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 22:38:40 +0000

At a recent practitioner’s workshop, one of the participants raised his dilemma with other group members about his need to minimize vehicle claims from their users. He pointed how his company moves people’s cars to and fro from the US to other destinations in the world. The name of the game is to do this with minimal or no damage to the owner’s vehicle, which is not always easy due to logistics, passing them through third party port staff, and the actual shipping activity where you are subject to mother nature’s weather conditions.
For this reason, his company uses vehicle processing centers for cars to be brought to, properly “wrapped” and then loaded onto and off-loaded from ships. The cars are closely inspected when they arrive and leave inspection centers at both ends. However, owing to the nature of the vehicle owners, word can spread on how to take advantage of the system.
So with the aid of his workshop “buddies” they set out to solve how they could keep claims to a minimum: his advantage was that he would get input from people outside his business. Those people could also be users of his company’s system. The group set about developing the best question, which commenced with: “What is our best option for minimizing vehicle claims, considering…”
They then came up with a list of seven considerations and reckoned on making use four of them (a little more than 50%, since it was an odd number of considerations) – both constraints and opportunities – that included: “Need to sustain high client satisfaction, minimize financial losses, maximize employee education, and ensure we encourage good customer ‘ethical’ behavior.” The blog’s Latest Example shares the question in full.
Once they had their question ready, they knew they had to produce two “bookends”: two extreme, “yin and yang” options that would challenge their intuitive minds to reject in a search for more plausible options, but also set limits on their option picture’s range of possibilities. Their collective intuition would not accept extreme options, so would quickly start them searching for more feasible ones. Following some deliberation, two bookends emerged: “Status quo: continue to accept X% claims on delivery,” and “Terminate sub-performers: a major investment.” Note how they came up with extreme stances, but qualified each one to clarify what “status quo” or “terminate its own staff” would mean; rather than just state extreme options. With these provocative “bookends,” their intuitive minds went to work on better alternatives.
This group then created 5 alternative options; these can now be viewed in the blog’s Latest Example. Perhaps their most interesting choice was: “Have customers complete an inspection ‘pre-form.’” We can assume they were referring to users doing their own pre-inspection at the time of handing over their vehicle: this was offered by a group member who was not part of the company. Their other four options can be found in our Latest Example.
They broke off for about 10 minutes to allow for some “emotional distancing.” They went in different directions: refreshments, catch up with people on their cell phones, find the bathroom, or break off into other conversations. After 10 minutes, the issue sponsor was anxious to get them back and get their confidential votes. Their choice is not important to readers because you were not in their shoes and tempt you to second-guess them. Even so, it was clear the Vehicle Executive was pleased with the outcome because he received fresh perspectives and they had explored all reasonable options.
If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area. Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “Using Option Solving for an executive to decide, ‘What can I do to win the cooperation of an important alliance?’” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

What is our best option for still holding a workshop with time running out: using Option Solving?

Peter Arthur-Smith — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:06:41 +0000

It wasn’t so long ago that two workshop partners and I were debating over whether to continue with a planned option solving practitioner workshop. We had set everything up for a New Year launch, knowing that each of us would be individually facing a hectic spell early in the year before the run up to the work-shop. Despite our early promotional activities, prior to our respective hectic-spells: when we returned, our webpage wasn’t working properly and with few indications of responses. We were left with the awkward dilemma of what to do.
We organized a conference call to discuss the situation. But before that moment arrived, I decided to work through the situation privately in advance: another good use of option solving. Quite naturally I set about developing the best question, which started with: “What is our best option for continuing with our planned workshop, considering…” I then developed a list of seven considerations and decided to utilize four of them (a little more than 50%, being an odd number) – both constraints and opportunities – that included: “No firm commitments to date, a week to go before paying for room rental, five people had shown some interest, and reluctance to test patience of co-partners.” The Latest Example displays the full question.
With my question in place, I set about producing two “bookends”: the two extreme, “yin and yang” options that would not only set limits on any overall option picture, but also tease my intuitive mind to draw upon its creativity to come up with other plausible options. Our intuition doesn’t respond well to way-out options, so will quickly start looking for the more feasible ones. After a degree of deliberation, two bookends emerged: “Start from scratch again, which would likely cause my partners to opt out,” and “Make it happen, no matter the costs: even if that meant everyone attending for free.” My intuition pretty quickly started aggressively rejecting these, but now started searching for alternatives.
Now I set about producing at least five potential options; these can be viewed in the Latest Example. My third choice was: “Postpone for one month and fix the technical issues.” My other four options are to be found in the Latest Example. Putting this picture together made me feel much better prepared for the forthcoming conference call with my partners, as well as enabled me to test all the ideas on them.
At some point we allowed for some “emotional distancing” by discussing other issues and then returned to consider our best option in the circumstances. It’s not fair to share our choice, since you weren’t exactly in our shoes. In any event, we did proceed with the workshop as planned and it was pretty successful.
If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area. Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “Using Option Solving to decide on ‘What is our best option for reducing vehicle claims?’” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

What is my best alternative for allowing a learning disabled person to access the Internet: using Option Solving?

Peter Arthur-Smith — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:33:00 +0000

Recently I was drawn into a discussion about a learning disabled person having access to the Internet for his new iPad. Since the person concerned was resident in a group home for other learning disabled people and the vagaries of the internet are tough to control, the subject was creating quite a dilemma for the house manager and parents of the resident involved. As a way of being helpful, I introduced them to option solving.
Together we started to develop the best question, which began with: “What is our best alternative for allowing a learning disabled person access to the Internet with his new iPad, considering…” We then waded into developing some appropriate considerations – both constraints and opportunities – that included: “Access to inappropriate sites, possibility of uncontrolled purchases, allowing him to enjoy his new toy, and giving him the pursuit of Internet happiness.” My Latest Example shows the full question.
Now I introduced the group to the idea of “bookends”: those two extreme, “yin and yang” options that would frame their overall option picture, as well as really engage their intuitive minds to spring into high gear. Our intuition doesn’t like non-realistic options, so naturally sets about searching for the most plausible ones. With a degree of thought and discussion, two emerged: “Unlimited access, with the very real concerns of impacting his mental health,” and “No access and denying him the pleasure to explore.” Neither was appropriate even though they were clearly options.
With these in place, we began to produce five potential options, which can be viewed in our Latest Example. Their most interesting choice was their fifth one: “Buy back his iPad and replace it with a new laptop which would have far more possibilities for Internet controls.” It’s amazing how option solving flushes out less obvious choices owing to its requirement for coming up with at least 5 options, and brings “buy-in” to disparate interests. You can find their other four options in the Latest Example.
It didn’t take long to persuade them to sleep on this decision picture to allow for some “emotional distancing.” I encouraged them to review it prior to falling asleep, which would allow their intuitive minds to dwell on it overnight, make the trade-offs, and search their experience base for the best option while sound asleep. I encouraged them to share their choices the following morning and then map out their “next steps” while the exercise was still much on their minds.
Their choice is not important because it would be unfair for you to second-guess them, since you were not in their precise situation. Their “peace of mind” was solid when I spoke with them a couple of days later because they had looked at all reasonable options and were happy with their choice. No second-guessing was required.
If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area. Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “Using Option Solving to decide on ‘What is our best option for still holding a workshop with time running out?’” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

What is my best option for minimizing air baggage fees: using Option Solving?

Peter Arthur-Smith — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:23:39 +0000

Yes, I often find myself with personal dilemmas and I use Option Solving frequently because it enables me to make much more savvy decisions, especially when there’s not an easy answer. This application was prior to a recent trip, where I was facing three different flights on a fairly lengthy round trip. I knew because of the forthcoming events and the time spent away from home my bag would be on the heftierside. Being a tall person means I’m penalized when it comes to clothes and weight.

I immediately buckled down to developing the right question, which started with: “What is my best option for minimizing air baggage fees, considering…” This was closely followed by inserting appropriate considerations that included: “Slower travel alternatives, I don’t wish to pay this ransom, I need 11 days of clothing, want to minimize baggage weight, and I need heavier items to attend certain formal functions.” You can see my total question in the Latest Example.

With what now looked like the right question, I then had to come up with two “bookends”…these would be two extreme options that would frame my overall option picture. It took a little thought before I found what seemed like the most fitting ones: “Just take everything I need; don’t worry about bags or weight,” and “Stick with hand baggage; minimize clothes.” Neither made much sense even though they are clearly options. As extreme options my intuitive mind just couldn’t accept it naturally started searching for more plausible ones.

I then began to flush out what would eventually be six potential options, which you can view in our Latest Example. My third choice was: “Share the cost with spouse – share our luggage.” This was an option I hadn’t considered before, even though I see more couples doing it. You can find my other five options in the Latest Example.

I then decided to sleep on this picture to allow for some “emotional distancing.” I reviewed this picture prior to falling asleep, which seems to be an excellent way of allowing ones intuitive mind the space to mull over the alternatives and make a worthy judgment of the best option while sound asleep. I believe our intuitions are sometimes clairvoyant, so they can foresee outcomes that we cannot. In a situation like this, I often find myself in the REM sleep phase – that pre-awakening moment – where the option has already been decided and I’m figuring out the “how.” So it was with this case.

I won’t share my choice because it related to my special personal circumstances, where you are not in the same position. You can sense my “peace of mind” with my chosen option because I had considered all the other five and picked the optimum solution that would work for me. No double-guessing required.

If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area. Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “Using Option Solving to decide on ‘What is my best alternative for allowing a learning disabled person to access the Internet?’” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)