Tease your brains a bit

According to Andersen Consulting Worldwide, around 90% of the
professionals they tested got all questions wrong. But many
preschoolers got several correct answers. Andersen Consulting says
this conclusively disproves the theory that most professionals have
the brains of a four year old.

The following short quiz consists of 4 questions and tells whether
you are truly a "professional". The questions are not that difficult.

Think each question through before reading further because the answers are just beneath each question

Have fun!

1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?

The correct answer is: Open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe and
close the door. This question tests whether you tend to do simple
things in an overly complicated way.

2. How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator?

Wrong Answer : Open the refrigerator, put in the elephant and close
the refrigerator. Correct Answer : Open the refrigerator, take out
the giraffe, put in the elephant and close the door. This tests your
ability to think through the repercussions of your actions.

3. The Lion King is hosting an animal conference, all the animals
 attend except one. Which animal does not attend?

Correct Answer : The Elephant. The Elephant is in the refrigerator.
This tests your memory.

OK, even if you did not answer the first three questions correctly,
you still have one more chance to show your abilities.

4. There is a river you must cross. But it is inhabited by crocodiles.
 How do you manage it?

Correct Answer: You swim across. All the Crocodiles are attending the
Animal conference! This tests whether you learn quickly from your
mistakes.


hahahaha
Cheers
@biola.com

Entreprenueral Mindset

The following I have observed to be very true and so I decided to share with all. It's the
difference between me and my boss that makes me even more despirate to be my own boss soon.

The Differences Between You and Your Boss

When you take a long time, you're slow.
When your boss takes a long time, he's thorough.
When you don't do it, you're lazy.
When your boss doesn't do it, he's too busy.
When you make a mistake, you're an idiot.
When your boss makes a mistake, he's only human.
When doing something without being told, you're overstepping the mark.
When your boss does the same thing, that's initiative.
When you take a stand, you're being bull-headed.
When your boss does it, he's being firm.
When you overlooked a rule of etiquette, you're being rude.
When your boss skips a few rules, he's being original.
When you please your boss, you're apple polishing.
When your boss pleases his boss, he's being co-operative.
When you're out of the office, you're wandering around.
When your boss is out of the office, he's on business.
When you're on a day off sick, you're always sick.
When your boss is a day off sick, he must be very ill.
When you apply for leave, you must be going for an interview.
When your boss applies for leave, it's because he's overworked.

Please be encouraged to have an entrepreneural mindset, work everyday like It's only preparing
you for the challenges of being your own boss. Plan your way out of being someone's employee especially
when you know you have all it take to be an employer.

cheers
@biola.com

Enemies of the ordinary

"Radical idea is not a bad idea"

Enemies of the ordinary
(My interpretation)

Eccentric is the word that people have (are/will) always used to describe me. The word eccentric (in case you've never heard of it) is often associated with genius, giftedness, extreme creativity or display of dismissible (common) lunacy. "There has always been a method to my madness". My eccentric behaviour is perceived by many to be the outward expression of my unique intelligence or creative impulse. My eccentric attributes are incomprehensible as some would agree not because they are illogical or the result of madness, but because they stem from a mind so original that it cannot be conformed to societal norms. For crying out loud, "I am not mad!"

When faced with life issues, be it at home, work or play I seek special methods and tools to go about them. I never hesitate to ask questions (as many as necessary). I try to restate problems sometimes by changing the wordings take different viewpoints and try it in graphical forms (I am primarily a graphic artist). Transforming one issue into another by the describing the problem to both laymen and experts in the field often helps to get new insights. By explaining it to others I get to hear myself and see the loopholes. I never try to learn all the details before deciding on a first approach. I keep the tools unlocked, I work quickly, whenever, wherever. Failure is not a fear, if I can't make it better, I make it worse and analyze what happens. I turn to Mother Nature (the originator of serendipity) for assistance. I meditate out in/under a tree or in an open field, play with combinations of ideas and concepts. I keep my eyes open and my imaginations turned on. For me nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it is the only one I have. The first solution found is usually inadequate. I initiate brainstorming sessions, mostly informal, where participants are encouraged to suggest any idea that comes to mind. I am particularly stubborn about solving a problem. I sometimes spend time trying things I know won't work or don't know how they will work. I value experimentation, play, exaggeration and persistence. I am flexible about problem definition and problem solution. "Wow! Don't you wanna grow up to be just like me?"
Many individuals manifest eccentricity consciouslyand deliberately in attempting to differentiate themselves from societal norms or enhance a sense of inimitable identity: given the overwhelming possible\nstereotypes often associated with eccentricity. Using the above, "judge for yourself, am I truly eccentric…?"
Whether you think I pass as eccentric or not, one thing as certain I'm an "enemy of the ordinary" because my habits make me achieve unique (extraordinary) results. You just have to be like me to cope with me otherwiseyou would tag me "crazy". Cope with me (be like me) if you can otherwise, lay off. "The world cannot contain too many of us". Mind you "I'll be 28 mynext birthday" (11th June). ",

-- @biola.com

PROBLEM SOLVING TECHNIQUES

PROBLEM SOLVING TECHNIQUES

"We know what happens to people who stay in the middle of the road. They get run down." (Aneurin Bevan)

Problem solving and decision-making are important skills for business and life. Problem-solving often involves decision-making, and decision-making is especially important for management and leadership. There are processes and techniques to improve decision-making and the quality of decisions. Decision-making is more natural to certain personalities, so these people should focus more on improving the quality of their decisions. People that are less natural decision-makers are often able to make quality assessments, but then need to be more decisive in acting upon the assessments made. Problem-solving and decision-making are closely linked, and each requires creativity in identifying and developing options, for which the brainstorming technique is particularly useful.

Decision-making process

1. Define and clarify the issue - does it warrant action? If so, now? Is the matter urgent, important or both. See the Pareto Principle.
2. Gather all the facts and understand their causes.
3. Think about or brainstorm possible options and solutions. (See brainstorming process)
4. Consider and compare the pros and cons of each option - consult if necessary - it probably will be.
5. Select the best option - avoid vagueness or 'foot in both camps' compromise.
6. Explain your decision to those involved and affected, and follow up to ensure proper and effective implementation.

Decision-making maxims will help to reinforce the above decision-making process whether related to problem-solving or not.

Brainstorming process

Brainstorming technique for problem-solving, team-building and creative process

Brainstorming with a group of people is a powerful technique. Brainstorming creates new ideas, solves problems, motivates and develops teams. Brainstorming motivates because it involves members of a team in bigger management issues, and it gets a team working together. However, brainstorming is not simply a random activity. Brainstorming needs to be structured and it follows brainstorming rules. The brainstorming process is described below, for which you will need a flip-chart or alternative. This is crucial as Brainstorming needs to involve the team, which means that everyone must be able to see what's happening. Brainstorming places a significant burden on the facilitator to manage the process, people's involvement and sensitivities, and then to manage the follow up actions. Use Brainstorming well and you will see excellent results in improving the organization, performance, and developing the team.

Brainstorming process

1. Define and agree the objective.
2. Brainstorm ideas and suggestions having agreed a time limit.
3. Categorise/condense/combine/refine.
4. Assess/analyse effects or results.
5. Prioritise options/rank list as appropriate.
6. Agree action and timescale.
7. Control and monitor follow-up.

In other words

Plan and agree the brainstorming aim: Ensure everyone participating in the brainstorm session understands and agrees the aim of the session (e.g. to suggest ways of improving cooperation between the sales and service departments;). Keep the brainstorming objective simple. Allocate a time limit.

Manage the actual brainstorming activity: Brainstorming enables people to suggest ideas at random. Your job as facilitator is to encourage everyone to participate, to dismiss nothing, and to prevent others from pouring scorn on the wilder suggestions (some of the best ideas are initially the daftest ones - added to which people won't participate if their suggestions are criticized). During the random collection of ideas the facilitator must record every suggestion on the flip-chart. Use sticky tape to hang the sheets around the walls. At the end of the time limit or when ideas have been exhausted, use different coloured pens to categorize, group, connect and link the random ideas. Condense and refine the ideas by making new headings or lists. You can diplomatically combine or include the weaker ideas within other themes to avoid dismissing or rejecting contributions (remember brainstorming is about team building and motivation too - you don't want it to have the reverse effect on some people). With the group, assess, evaluate and analyze the effects and validity of the ideas or the list. Develop and prioritize the ideas into a more finished list or set of actions or options.

Implement the actions agreed from the brainstorming: Agree what the next actions will be. Agree a timescale, who's responsible. After the session circulate notes, monitor and give feedback. It's crucial to develop a clear and positive outcome, so that people feel their effort and contribution was worthwhile. When people see that their efforts have resulted in action and change, they will be motivated and keen to help again.

Pro’s and Con's decision-making method

Another simple process for decision-making is the pro's and con's list.

Some decisions are a simple matter of whether to make a change or not, such as moving, taking a new job, or buying something, selling something, replacing something, etc. Other decisions involve number of options, and are concerned more with how to do something, involving a number of choices. Use the brainstorming process to identify and develop options for decision-making and problem-solving.

1. First you will need a separate sheet for each identified option.
2. On each sheet write clearly the option concerned, and then beneath it the headings 'pro's' and 'con's' (or 'advantages' and disadvantages', or simply 'for' and 'against'). Many decisions simply involve the choice of whether to go ahead or not, to change or not; in these cases you need only one sheet.
3. Then write down as many effects and implications of the particular option that you (and others if appropriate) can think of, placing each in the relevant column.
4. If helpful 'weight' each factor, by giving it a score out of three or five points (eg., 5 being extremely significant, and 1 being of minor significance).
5. When you have listed all the points you can think of for the option concerned compare the number or total score of the items/effects/factors between the two columns.
6. This will provide a reflection and indication as to the overall attractiveness and benefit of the option concerned. If you have scored each item you will actually be able to arrive at a total score, being the difference between the pro's and con's column totals. The bigger the difference between the total pro's and total con's then the more attractive the option is.
7. If you have a number of options and have complete a pro's and con's sheet for each option, compare the attractiveness - points difference between pro's and con's - for each option. The biggest positive difference between pro's and con's is the most attractive option.
8. N.B. If you don't like the answer that the decision-making sheet(s) reflect back to you, it means you haven't included all the con's - especially the emotional ones, or you haven't scored the factors consistently, so re-visit the sheet(s) concerned.

You will find that writing things down in this way will help you to see things more clearly, become more objective and detached, which will help you to make clearer decisions.

Example Pro's and Con's weighted decision-making sheet

Decision option: should I buy a new car?

pro's	con's
better comfort (3)	cost outlay will mean making sacrifices (5)
lower fuel costs (3)	higher insurance (3)
lower servicing costs (4)	time and hassle to choose and buy it (2)
better for family use (3)	disposal or sale of old car (2)
better reliability (5)	big decisions like this scare and upset me (4)
it'll be a load off my mind (2)
total 6 pro's, total score 20	total 5 con's, total score 16

On the basis of the pro's and con's, and the weighting applied, in the above example there's a clear overall quantifiable benefit attached to the decision to go ahead and buy a new car. Notice that it's even possible to include 'intangible' emotional issues in the pro's and con's comparison, for example 'it'll be a load off my mind', and 'decisions scare and upset me'. A decision-making pro's and con's list like this helps remove the emotion which blocks clear thinking and decision-making - you can now see the wood for the trees again, and make a confident decision.

SWOT & PEST analysis method of decision-making

SWOT analysis helps assess the strength of a company, a business proposition or idea; PEST analysis helps to assess the potential and suitability of a market. Good decision-making requires a mixture of skills: creative development and identification of options, clarity of judgement, firmness of decision, and effective implementation. For group problem-solving and decision-making, or when a consensus is required, workshops help, within which you can incorporate these tools and process as appropriate. Here are some useful methods for effective decision-making and problem-solving: First a simple step-by-step process for effective decision-making and problem-solving.

SWOT analysis overview

A SWOT analysis is a subjective assessment of data which is organized by the SWOT format into a logical order that helps understanding, presentation, discussion and decision-making. The four dimensions (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) are a useful extension of a basic two heading list of pro's and con's. SWOT analysis can be used for all sorts of decision-making, and the SWOT template enables proactive thinking, rather than relying on habitual or instinctive reactions.

Translating SWOT analysis into actions

1. Product (what are we selling?)
2. Process (how are we selling it?)
3. Customer (to whom are we selling it?)
4. Distribution (how does it reach them?)
5. Finance (what are the prices, costs and investments?)
6. Administration (and how do we manage all this?)

If it's a business, and the aim is to improve it, then work on translating: into actions (each within one of the six categories) that can be agreed and owned by a team or number of teams.

Strengths: maintain, build and leverage,
Opportunities: prioritize and optimize,
Weaknesses: remedy or exit,
Threats: counter

PEST analysis overview

The PEST analysis is a useful tool for understanding market growth or decline, and as such the position, potential and direction for a business. A PEST analysis is a business measurement tool. PEST is an acronym for Political, Economic, Social and Technological factors, which are used to assess the market for a business or organizational unit.

More confusingly (and some would say unnecessarily) PEST is also extended to seven or even more factors, by adding Ecological (or Environmental), Legislative (or Legal), and Industry Analysis, which produces the PESTELI model. Other variations on the theme include STEEP and PESTLE, which allow for a dedicated Ethical section. STEEPLED is another interpretation which includes pretty well everything except the kitchen sink: Political, Economic, Social and Technological - plus Ecological or Environmental, Ethical, Demographic and Legal.

All businesses benefit from a SWOT analysis, and all businesses benefit from completing a SWOT analysis of their main competitors, which interestingly can then provide some feed back into the economic aspects of the PEST analysis.

PEST becomes more useful and relevant the larger and more complex the business or proposition, but even for a very small local businesses a PEST analysis can still throw up one or two very significant issues that might otherwise be missed.

The PEST subject should be a clear definition of the market being addressed, which might be from any of the following standpoints:

• a company looking at its market
• a product looking at its market
• a brand in relation to its market
• a local business unit
• a strategic option, such as entering a new market or launching a new product
• a potential acquisition
• a potential partnership
• an investment opportunity

Whatever the technique

"In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing." (attributed to Theodore Roosevelt)

JFDI - Just Frigging Do it (polite version). The decision-maker's motto. There are usually several right answers when you are faced with a complex decision. When you've found the best solution you can find, get on with it, make it work, and it most probably will.

Comment on Deolu's "Are your eyes on the future"

Hi all,

I was at www.deoluakinyemi.com today and I had this to say as regards his post titled are you eyes onm the future. I just thought i should post it to for those who could also gain from it from here.

I was telling a friend a while ago about our grandmother (maternal). She was given a phone by our uncle in London and I bought her a Glo line. Lucky for her it's a flip Phone so I set it in such a way that she only has to open it to pick her call and this I explained to her as best I could.
Funny though, she rushes down to open it even when it rings for text messages, she has to call someone around when she needs to make a call, it could however be difficult if the name of the person she want to call does not correspond with the name she is metioning even though i tried to store all the names on her phonebook the way she is familiar with them. She has over 30 free text messages on her phone per month and she does not use them cos she does not know how. She relies on trusted people to load her credit for her and tell her how much is left there. She hardly ever lives her phone lying around from the day she realized that anyone can pick it up and use all her money. I can't lock the phone cos how do I explain opening it to her. Just recently I tried teaching her to use the speakers cos she begining to lose her hearing and believe me...that was work.
My point is this the world for her has changed and she can only try and cope. A lot of people though they are youths who are supposed to know about what is currnet and happening are still a lot like her today, they do not even have email addresses, they cannot tell the difference between mp3 and mp4, dvd and vcd. they cannot convinently operate a five disk changer sound player/recorder. they are amazed at the sight of a remote control.
These things are petty things compared to what will be operating in the world by the time we become grandparents too and our grandchildren will say press this button if you want the car to fly.
We cannot afford to be too backward now otherwise we could be overbackward then. Let us constanly embrace the future with open arms.
Deolu, I'm asking a question now in my head and at the same time bidding all to do same... How flat is my world?
cheers
@biola.com

NB: I'll explain what I mean by how flat is your world shortly

Choices:

Choices:

He stood before them to give a talk, to motivate them, to encourage them. He gave a brilliant speach after which there was a loud applause. After the show they were interviewed for comments and they said stuff like "He is very brilliant" "He is well informed" "He is a great man" "He is..." They went on and on.
Let's stop and ponder, he was not born this way, he does not have too heads or anything that makes him physically superior. He is only a product of the choices he made to: Read the books he read, relate with the people he relates with, acquire the knowledge he has, etc.
This means in essence that if I make the right choices today, it could be me up that stage tomorrow recieving the applause and having people say nice things about me. Hmm...

cheers
@biola.com
Nb: This was called from the comment i made on Oritsega's blog

Response to Microsoft word keyboard shortcuts

Hi,

Alot of people have stylishly asked me why i posted a this.
We call them keyboard shortcuts, with emphasis on shortcuts. One does not necessarily have to know all his/her fingertips. The few that you do know will come in handy when the need for it arises. for instance

1. you could get a lot done faster combing your knowledge of Keyboard shortcuts with the the use of the mouse.
2. what happens when the mouse fails
3. there are general keyboard shortcuts there that apply to some other windows application. who knows where they could me useful if not microsoft word
4. knowledge does not waste, you could teach somebody who needs the information someday.

I must be sincere the few that i know at my fingertips have really be helpful in making my work faster and easier.

Yes they look like jagons, but as you get use to the few that first catch your interest or the few you would love to experiment with, i'm sure you'll enjoy it and you'll wish to know more.

thanks for you comments, i wish to know who "anonymous" is though

cheers
@biola.com

happy new year

hi all,
Happy new year, Congratulations! You made it into 2007

Cheers
@biola.com

Plugged or Unplugged

Hi All,

If there is anybody here who has not seen the film "MATRIX" let he/she try and do so in order to better understand this.
We live in a world that has a system, the system allows for a lot of vanities, It simply throws what we do not need at us cheaply and the very things wr truly want/need it deprives us. For example, it is so easy to get a prostitute for a one night stand, yet so difficult to get wife. It is easy to play or set up a playing atmosphere but so difficult to get a job that will fetch a living.
But come to think of it the principle does nto apply to all, while some cannot get a job, some others change jobs like clothes and are offered more that they have to refuse, while some cannot afford a meal a day some though cannot also afford to eat are being offered the food free of charge. And it is the same God the made us all....hmm.
These "supermen" do not have to heads some were born in poorer states the those who now suffer while they enjoy. For instance I have heard people say, I can't get a job because I did not go to school and I did not go to school because ny parents are poor. I have also heard people say that the reason why I have not made it beyond this point is because my parents are rich and they pampered me so I did not learn to fight for what I want while growing up. Is this not funny?
Let me tell you about the "supermen". The supermen like Neo, Murpheous and Trinity, are men who have simply been reoriented and have gotten a knowledge that the world system only applies to those who believe in it. They have come to an undertstanding that they can change the rules by changing their thinking, belief, choices and their general approach to life to one that will simply not settle for less. To one that sees No Limits. They no longer live by the general order. The general system does not apply to them anymore because the moment they had this changed mindset, its like for them they run on a different program, they write what becomes of them by themselves. If the world was a MATRIX (a program written to decieve us so that we will not be true to who we are or should be), they have been unplugged, their eyes have been opened, they know the truth, the truth has set them free, free to fly.

What is the truth?
We are children of God, Our playing small does not serve the world.
There is potential on the inside of each and everyone of us.
This knowledge liberates us and and as we set ourselves free we unconsciously spread it to others around us.

Knowing the truth and living it is what finally set us free (Unplugs us) and as such we are no longer confined to a box, we no longer have limits or fears, and agents in this world cannot stop them.
Please get unplugged now.
This is supposed to start an unplugging process in you, if you remain in the Matrix, it is your choice for which you would have no excuse(s)

cheers
@biola.com