Problem Solving: Generating Alternatives

Course 3 of the Decision-making and Problem-solving for Business Program

What you'll learn
Getting into the Flow
Taking Rational Approaches
Using Creative Approaches
Getting Out of a Rut
Requirements
No special requirements or prerequisites
Description
The Problem Solving: Generating Alternatives course  is the third course of the Decision-making and Problem-solving for Business series and focuses on the following topics:Getting into the flowSay, as a farmer, you're having troubles optimizing your crop yield. If you don't have an effective solution-generating mind-set, your entire operation will likely get plowed under.Being rationalTo tackle your yield problem, you'll need to put rational problem-solving techniques to use. You'll have to think about your alternatives in a realistic, down-to-earth way.Being creativeAt the same time, some farming problems require creative thinking. For example, bugs and pests don't give up easily. Have you ever thought about the world from a critter's point of view? That's what creative agricultural scientists do all the time.Breaking out of rutsLastly, thin harvests translate into acres and acres of stress. Unless you take measures to reduce that frustration, you may wind up losing the problem-solving farm.You're about to discover how to imagine and manifest far-reaching solutions to your business problems. There's nothing ephemeral about the ideas contained here. To the contrary, the techniques you'll explore are deeply rooted in tangible reality–and in results.In this course, you'll learn how to effectively generate alternative solutions by: getting into the flow, taking rational approaches, using creative approaches, and getting out of problem-solving ruts.That’s it! Now, go ahead and push that “Take this course” button and see you on the inside!

Overview

Section 1: Problem Solving: Generating Alternatives

Lecture 1 Course Overview

Lecture 2 Getting into the Flow

Lecture 3 Achieving the Right Mind-set

Lecture 4 Brainstorming

Lecture 5 Taking Rational Approaches

Lecture 6 Pros and Cons- The BEST Model 1

Lecture 7 Pros and Cons- The BEST Model 2

Lecture 8 Thinking like the Customer

Lecture 9 Using Creative Approaches

Lecture 10 Analogies 1

Lecture 11 Analogies 2

Lecture 12 Idea Nets 1

Lecture 13 Idea Nets 2

Lecture 14 Mind-mapping

Lecture 15 Getting Out of a Rut

Lecture 16 Using Creative Visualization

Lecture 17 Handling Problem Overload

Lecture 18 Job Aid - The Right Mind-set

Lecture 19 Job Aid - BEST Alternatives

Lecture 20 Job Aid - Mind-map

Lecture 21 Achieving an Effective Mind-set

Lecture 22 Principles of Brainstorming

Lecture 23 BEST Model for Measuring Pros and Cons

Lecture 24 Reading Your Customers' Minds

Lecture 25 Using Analogies to Generate Ideas

Lecture 26 Using Idea Nets

Lecture 27 Making Mind-maps

Lecture 28 Using Creative Visualization

Lecture 29 Keeping Problems in Perspective

Lecture 30 Learning Aid - Brian's Analogies

Lecture 31 Learning Aid - Jessica's Analogies

Lecture 32 Learning aid - Ian's Analogies

Lecture 33 Problem Solving - Generating Alternatives

Executives, managers, supervisors, team leaders, and other business professionals who want to enhance their ability to solve business problems and make effective personal and organizational decisions