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Key Business Solutions

Key Business Solutions Essential problem-solving tools and techniques that every manager needs to know

Author: Antonio Weiss
Publisher: Financial Times
ISBN: 9780273750291
Published In: August 2011
Format: Paperback , 224 pages
Jurisdiction: International ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

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Contents
Author
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This book explains how to resolve every challenge faced on a day-to-day basis in your business by presenting an unbeatable inventory of proven problem solving tools and techniques to help you tackle your toughest business dilemmas effectively.

You will learn how to:

· Overcome any business challenge with robust logic and structure

· How to break down problems and make your workload lighter

· Deliver the ‘killer’ recommendations

· Discover how to successfully implement change in people and organisations

· How to keep yourself, your team, and your stakeholders happy

· How to use an effective hypothesis-driven approach to problem solving

Using case studies, a ‘best practice example’ and at least one figurative table or figure, every dilemma is bought to life equipping you with the very best tools to confront any problem your business may face.

‘The most successful businesses don’t avoid problems – they solve them. This practical, insightful and entertaining book guides you through how to do this. An indispensable resource for any manager.'

Richard Newton, Business consultant and best-selling author

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'One of the key attributes in running a business successfully is the ability to see a situation in perspective. Too often the real issues go unrecognised, signs are misread, an opportunity slips by, the wrong problem is addressed. Only in retrospect is it obvious what should have been done.

It is not easy, but the tools and techniques covered in Key Business Solutions should help.’

Sir George Cox, Author of the HM Treasury Cox Review of Creativity in UK Business and former Chairman of the Design Council

About the author

Acknowledgements

Publisher's acknowledgements

Introduction

PART 1: THE OBTAIN PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCESS

1. Outline the question

2. Break down the issues

3. Test the hypothesis

4. Analyse the problem

5. Imagine the solution

6. Notify the stakeholders

7. Managing the stakeholders

8. Managing the team

PART 2: CRITICAL BUSINESS TOOLS AND FRAMEWORKS

4Ps of marketing

5Cs of strategy

Ansoff matrix

BCG growth-share matrix

Benchmarking

Brainstorming

De Bono’s six thinking hats

Drill-down analysis

Kano analysis

McClelland’s theory of needs

McKinsey 7S framework

PESTEL

Porter’s five forces

SWOT

Value chain analysis

Appendix: How the tools and techniques fit into the OBTAIN process

Further reading and references

Index

Antonio E. Weiss is a management consultant and writer. Antonio learnt about solving tough business problems at one of the UK’s leading boutique management consultancy firms, 2020 Delivery. There he has worked across a range of public sector organisations, focussing on issues varying from performance improvement and pathway redesign to efficiency savings and designing and delivering training courses on modelling and problem-solving. On a pro bono basis in an independent consulting capacity he has also worked on industrial policy in Central Asia.

Antonio also likes to apply his problem-solving skills to a number of different situations outside the business world. He is a governor of one of the largest community colleges in London and has also written for a number of publications, including the Guardian, on a variety of issues. In between consulting and his other responsibilities, his next project is to write a history of management consultancy in Britain. He holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in History from the University of Cambridge.

“An outstanding book about problem solving… it will stand the test of time.”

Andrew May, FIC CMC FCMI

“Intelligently and elegantly written – really helps people how to use management models”

Marian Lauder, MBE FCMI