The Difference betweenFOCUSING on PROBLEMS andFOCUSING on SOLUTIONS.
Case # 1: When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens would not work at zero gravity (ink will not flow down to the writing surface).
Solution # 1:To solve this problem, it took them one decade and $12 million. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, underwater, in practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature range from below freezing to over 300 degrees C.
Solution # 2 : And what did the Russians do...?? They used a pencil.
Case # 2 :One of the most memorable case studies on Japanese management was the case of the empty soapbox, which happened in one of Japan 's biggest cosmetics companies. The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soapbox that was empty.
Immediately the authorities isolated the problem to the assembly Line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department. For some reason, one soapbox went through the assembly line empty.
Management asked its engineers to solve the problem.
Solution # 1: Post-haste, the engineers worked hard to devise an X-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soapboxes that passed through the line to make sure they were not empty. No doubt, they worked hard and they worked fast but they spent a whoopee amount to do so.
Solution # 2 : But when a rank-and-file employee in a small company was posed with the same problem, he did not get into complications of X-rays, etc., but instead came out with another solution.
He bought a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. He switched the fan on, and as each soapbox passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line.
Moral
· Always look for simple solutions.
· Devise the simplest possible solution that solves the problems.
· Always focus on solutions & not on problems.
Regards
Pankaj Chandan
From India, New delhi
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13Case # 1: When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens would not work at zero gravity (ink will not flow down to the writing surface).
Solution # 1:To solve this problem, it took them one decade and $12 million. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, underwater, in practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature range from below freezing to over 300 degrees C.
Solution # 2 : And what did the Russians do...?? They used a pencil.
Case # 2 :One of the most memorable case studies on Japanese management was the case of the empty soapbox, which happened in one of Japan 's biggest cosmetics companies. The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soapbox that was empty.
Immediately the authorities isolated the problem to the assembly Line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department. For some reason, one soapbox went through the assembly line empty.
Management asked its engineers to solve the problem.
Solution # 1: Post-haste, the engineers worked hard to devise an X-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soapboxes that passed through the line to make sure they were not empty. No doubt, they worked hard and they worked fast but they spent a whoopee amount to do so.
Solution # 2 : But when a rank-and-file employee in a small company was posed with the same problem, he did not get into complications of X-rays, etc., but instead came out with another solution.
He bought a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. He switched the fan on, and as each soapbox passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line.
Moral
· Always look for simple solutions.
· Devise the simplest possible solution that solves the problems.
· Always focus on solutions & not on problems.
Regards
Pankaj Chandan
From India, New delhi
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It's a great battle to educate people. Not easy. So many take objections when I call "A spade a spade," as the saying goes.
From United Kingdom
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From United Kingdom
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Thanks Pankaj Da, I liked the message. You have to sometimes think 'Out of the Box' rather than going around the same rank and files of decision-making and arriving at complexities. Thanks again for the wonderful cases.
Regards,
Jayesh
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Regards,
Jayesh
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Dear Mr. Pankaj Chandan,
I have been registered on this site today. One of my best friends told me to register with the site. It is a good site which will keep me abreast of new topics and enhance my knowledge. I hereby append my comments on the topic of focusing on problems vis-a-vis resolution. You have quoted two cases in this regard dealing with the problem and solution but the "difference" between the two has not been illustrated. I have tried my best to discuss the difference.
Focusing on the problem and focusing on resolutions are both sides of a coin. Both focuses are interrelated. There is no resolution without a problem. The problem is resolved. The necessity of resolution arises only when the problem arises. A rose flower is liked by all, but do not forget that the plant has sharp thorns to safeguard the flower. On the other hand, we can say that a man performs either to solve the problem or with the ultimate motto that he should not face the problem in the future. There is an old phrase, "Save for the rainy season." Man earns not only for livelihood but for saving as well. Those who do not save may encounter problems, and the resolution is far off for them.
A day becomes full only with day and night (24 hours), light and dark. The light represents resolution, and the dark represents the problem. Life is full of ups and downs, where ups are the benefits/pleasure/pros, and downs are the loss/displeasure/cons.
One should not always focus on problems. One should be optimistic and not pessimistic. Problems come and go. The personnel appointed as auditors are often pessimistic. They either focus on prevalent problems or create problems for others. This habit is not liked by people in the ever-changing world. "He who digs a pit for others, falls himself into it."
Suppose a train is running smoothly on its path. The driver has to apply the brakes at the railway station, and the train comes to a halt. For the engine, it is a man-made problem, but it is a resolution/convenience for the passengers. In case of an accident, the driver has to apply the brakes all of a sudden, or the train demolishes whatever comes in its way before it stops. This problem is serious. A sound body consumes something unhygienic, and it becomes a problem. The diagnostic centers are only to pinpoint the problem, but the physician cures the same. Hence, the diagnostic centers focus on the problem, whereas the physician focuses on the resolution.
I have attended discourses of a learned person. I remember, among other noble advice, he said that a man suffering from some disease is an indication of a problem inside the body. Had the body not indicated this problem, it would have gone unnoticed. Hence, the problem has necessitated the solution. Until the neighbor or friend discusses their problem with you, how can you focus on resolution or advise them on the remedy?
So, these two are interrelated.
I am sure you may agree with me. I will solicit your comments.
(Gurcharan Singh Jassel)
From India, Ludhiana
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I have been registered on this site today. One of my best friends told me to register with the site. It is a good site which will keep me abreast of new topics and enhance my knowledge. I hereby append my comments on the topic of focusing on problems vis-a-vis resolution. You have quoted two cases in this regard dealing with the problem and solution but the "difference" between the two has not been illustrated. I have tried my best to discuss the difference.
Focusing on the problem and focusing on resolutions are both sides of a coin. Both focuses are interrelated. There is no resolution without a problem. The problem is resolved. The necessity of resolution arises only when the problem arises. A rose flower is liked by all, but do not forget that the plant has sharp thorns to safeguard the flower. On the other hand, we can say that a man performs either to solve the problem or with the ultimate motto that he should not face the problem in the future. There is an old phrase, "Save for the rainy season." Man earns not only for livelihood but for saving as well. Those who do not save may encounter problems, and the resolution is far off for them.
A day becomes full only with day and night (24 hours), light and dark. The light represents resolution, and the dark represents the problem. Life is full of ups and downs, where ups are the benefits/pleasure/pros, and downs are the loss/displeasure/cons.
One should not always focus on problems. One should be optimistic and not pessimistic. Problems come and go. The personnel appointed as auditors are often pessimistic. They either focus on prevalent problems or create problems for others. This habit is not liked by people in the ever-changing world. "He who digs a pit for others, falls himself into it."
Suppose a train is running smoothly on its path. The driver has to apply the brakes at the railway station, and the train comes to a halt. For the engine, it is a man-made problem, but it is a resolution/convenience for the passengers. In case of an accident, the driver has to apply the brakes all of a sudden, or the train demolishes whatever comes in its way before it stops. This problem is serious. A sound body consumes something unhygienic, and it becomes a problem. The diagnostic centers are only to pinpoint the problem, but the physician cures the same. Hence, the diagnostic centers focus on the problem, whereas the physician focuses on the resolution.
I have attended discourses of a learned person. I remember, among other noble advice, he said that a man suffering from some disease is an indication of a problem inside the body. Had the body not indicated this problem, it would have gone unnoticed. Hence, the problem has necessitated the solution. Until the neighbor or friend discusses their problem with you, how can you focus on resolution or advise them on the remedy?
So, these two are interrelated.
I am sure you may agree with me. I will solicit your comments.
(Gurcharan Singh Jassel)
From India, Ludhiana
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Hi Pankaj,
Very good case studies. The study makes you think that you need to work smarter and should have common sense. It's not always required to invest a huge amount of time or energy in solving some problems.
Regards,
Sheetal Sahasrabudhe
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Very good case studies. The study makes you think that you need to work smarter and should have common sense. It's not always required to invest a huge amount of time or energy in solving some problems.
Regards,
Sheetal Sahasrabudhe
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Hello Pankaj,
It's a very good one. But I do hope you should take Simhan's feedback in the true spirit and implement it without much ado...take it from me - your postings will have a much better effect when you give credit to the source.
Regards,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
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It's a very good one. But I do hope you should take Simhan's feedback in the true spirit and implement it without much ado...take it from me - your postings will have a much better effect when you give credit to the source.
Regards,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
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That was a good message, something that we forget everyday and strugle for a complicated solution to the problem
From India
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From India
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Dear Pankaj,
The lesson I learned is that we should look within our immediate environment for immediate solutions, and more importantly, if possible, involve the rank and file to solve. Very thoughtful post for daily work.
Thanks,
Ajayi Olufemi
Abuja, Nigeria
From Nigeria, Abuja
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The lesson I learned is that we should look within our immediate environment for immediate solutions, and more importantly, if possible, involve the rank and file to solve. Very thoughtful post for daily work.
Thanks,
Ajayi Olufemi
Abuja, Nigeria
From Nigeria, Abuja
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