For every Problem, there are at least 2 Solutions and there may also be some hidden Opportunities.

 

Link to P=2S+O worksheet/template.
[click to download]

 

Experts tell us we have thousands of thoughts every day. Perhaps, on average, our thoughts arrive every 10 seconds.

 

Of this large number of thoughts, coming to our minds every day, we categorize some as problems…problem-thoughts.

 

Some of these problem-thoughts happen once or twice and are forgotten while others keep coming back until we find ourselves thinking, “Something should be done about this”.

 

When this happens to me, that’s when I step back and say..."How do I turn this P (Problem-thing that just keeps popping into my mind) into at least a couple of S's (Solutions) and at least one O (Opportunity)?"

 

I work at that.

 

As you have seen, I call the process P=2S+O.

 

I’m not as good as I’d like to be at initiating P=2S+O.

 

Sometimes I find myself being annoyed by a persistent thought…I mean I catch myself being annoyed yet inactive. [I see this as a bad habit.] Then, something clicks in and I realize I am annoyed because the thought is a problem-thought and it probably will keep annoying me until I replace it with some ideas about Solutions and Opportunities.

 

At that point, the good habit P=2S+O begins to replace the bad habit being annoyed by a problem-thought.

 

I'm not as good as I'd like to be at generating immediate Solutions. I wish I could say, “Much to my surprise…I catch myself being lazy and procrastinating”. But, that wouldn’t be accurate because I have caught myself far too many times to use the word ‘surprise’. However, I am getting better. I keep a laminated copy of the P=2S+O template/worksheet close by…as a reminder. And I keep several paper copies of it on hand so I can fill them out on the spot. Also, I have a neat little web-based tool with me at all times…which removes any excuse for not doing P=2S+O.

 

If you are interested in learning more about the web-based tool then please email me at rbaker@spiritedinvestors.ca. 

 

I have developed an ability to be very open/receptive to Opportunities. Opportunities tend to pop into my mind very regularly.

 

So, for me, P=2S+O is working well….and it is becoming a good habit.

 

I will be thrilled to learn it works as well for you….so please, let me know.

 

For every Problem, there are at least 2 Solutions and there may also be some hidden Opportunities.

 

Link to P=2S+O worksheet/template.
[click to download]

 

In the last blog, I mentioned from time to time intuition may come to you and you may obtain Opportunities that way.

 

There is an interesting argument favouring an ‘opportunistic’ approach over the ‘traditional’ approach to strategic planning.

 

Rather than Plan the Work and Work the Plan, be prepared to recognize, receive, and act on Opportunities.

 

See for example, Strategic Intuition [2007] by William Duggan... here’s a link to William Duggan http://columbiapress.typepad.com/

 

At that link, you can read about the three kinds of intuition... “The third kind, strategic intuition, is not a vague feeling, like ordinary intuition. Strategic intuition is clear thought. And it’s not fast, like expert intuition. It’s slow.” “Strategic intuition works in new situations. That’s when you need it most.”

 

Business people should do both.

 

Business people should Plan the Work and Work the Plan. Much of the value lies in the process of planning. That’s captured [maybe a little too strongly?] in this Dwight D. Eisenhower quote: “In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless but planning is indispensible.”

 

Business people should also work to understand and use intuition and creative thinking. When these are operating in high gear we are able to respond quickly and successfully while the pace of business change continues to increase.

 

P=2S+O stands on middle ground.

 

P=2S+O is process. P=2S+O is a system.

 

The process & system of P=2S+O was planned.

 

The application of the P=2S+O template [worksheet] has some structure...that is, the template/worksheet contains sections for describing Problems, Solutions, and Opportunities. On the other hand, the template/worksheet does not set boundaries on how to come up with Solutions and Opportunities.

 

The P=2S+O template/worksheet provides a picture or what needs to be done.

 

This series of blogs provides an introduction to why a P=2S+O is important and how people can use P=2S+O to obtain business success.

 

The next blog will be the final blog of this P=2S+O series.