MUST READ! PFC Practical Pointer #5

PFC Practical Pointer #5-

Dimensions and Problem Solving

“We live in a three dimensional world filled with one dimensional thinkers!”

Paul Bumblauskas, 1957-

Each problem is unique and must be addressed by considering the appropriate number of dimensions. Yet we sometimes respond to problems swiftly, almost as if all problems have the same number of dimensions- but they don’t!

One Dimension- This is a problem that requires a simple yes or no answer. This is similar to the problem solving that the chips use in our computer systems, cellular phones and PDAs- the binary 0 and 1 response. Therefore, it is no surprise that we try to emulate the systems that we use. Unfortunately, humans are not necessarily capable of the thousands and sometimes millions of binary interpretations made by the systems we use. If you send or receive most e-mails with a yes, looks good, OK, let’s move forward or no, let’s postpone or not at this time, the response is one dimensional. While some problems are one dimensional, most are not!

Two Dimensions- This is a problem that requires a set of assumptions or a range of possible outcomes. An example would be establishing the commission rate for a sales associate with a range of sales of $40,000 to $100,000 per month. The solution works well within the relevant range (a line containing a range) but changes in assumptions or results outside of the relevant range could cause erroneous results.

Three Dimensions- These are problems that require consideration of outcomes that are outside the relevant range or they require higher level analysis of risk and opportunity identification, such as adding or deleting new product or service lines, opening new businesses, closing or selling the business, succession planning, strategically adding resources or increasing distributions to owners. The recent economic climate has caused many companies to respond with strategies and solutions that are outside the relevant range in many areas and, hence, they are difficult to solve as they are complex as they have three dimensions.

The faster we move and the more decisions that we make the more we become one dimensional in our thinking and hence… “We live in a three dimensional world filled with one dimensional thinkers”.

This article was written by Paul Bumblauskas of PFC Services, Inc. For further information contact Paul at (678) 560-6725 or you can reach him via e-mail at pdb79@comcast.net.