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The Science of Problem Solving

Author

Lauren Wambold Patel
July 02, 2024

Welcome back to The 2x2 - the ultimate newsletter for independent consultants! This week, we’re solving all your problems.

Get ready for a double dose of awesomeness in this week’s email:

  1. Concept to Clarity: Our Strategy Visualization Powerpoint Templates

    You’ve got your strategy. Present it in style with our Strategy Visualization templates, like the creative Strategy House or our one-page Strategic Plan. See what these templates look like below.

  2. Problem Solving: The Foolproof Process

    If you missed our deep dive into strategic problem-solving, here’s your chance to catch up. I’ve solved hundreds of strategic problems in my 25-year career, so I have a foolproof process you can adapt. There’s a bit of middle school science here, but nothing too complicated!

1. Concept to Clarity: Our Strategy Visualization Powerpoint Templates

You have a strategy. Now, you just need a visual way to communicate it to your clients.

A lot of work goes into crafting an effective strategy, but ultimately, success boils down to how well people understand it. That’s why you need to strike a balance between concise yet informative visual presentations.

Good thing we have Strategy Visualization Templates to help you out:

  • Strategy House: This template covers everything your project needs – from the clear purpose and vision down to the foundations, and everything in between.

  • Strategic Plan: This is a simple one-page summary of your strategy, covering the strategy, the levers, and the big “rocks.”

Check out more of our strategic frameworks here.

2. Problem Solving: The Foolproof Process

Ready to upgrade your problem-solving methods? Let’s turn chaos into order in 25 minutes.

I’ve made a career in solving problems. And our KRS team also has decades of experience helping teams like yours solve problems. Most of them are better at it than me, anyways.

If you’re having trouble solving a strategic problem, then try out my top tips:

  1. You can’t find a solution if you don’t know what problem you’re solving. The first step is to make sure you have defined the problem – and that the team agrees that is the problem, too. 

  2. Use a process to solve a problem. Otherwise, it’s just guesswork and chaos.

  3. Don’t mistake action for answers. A bias for action is good, as long as consideration comes first.

  4. Break it down, build it up, break it down again. The process to solve a problem is a series of breaking things into bits you can navigate, finding insight, and putting them back together in new and better ways. 

  5. Socialization = Success. The right people need to be engaged and on board.

And if you need more of these problem solving nuggets, you can get a lot of them from our workshop last June 27.

Watch the full recap and download all the resources you need in the Community.

Remember, the path to success is paved with continuous learning and embracing fresh perspectives.

Let's stay connected, share ideas, and elevate your consulting business.

Stay curious, friends.

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