EnTrends

In catching up with a friend recently, she
relayed the story of her five year old,
Abby, who had a very serious problem.

It seems that after receiving a copy of
"The Wizard of Oz," Abby watched the
tape several times and became convinced
that the Wicked Witch would "get" her
when she was alone in the bathroom.

To that end, she would have her mother
drop everything and escort her to the little
girls' room whenever nature called.

After complying a few times, my friend
concluded that this would go on
indefinitely unless she took some action.
So the next time Abby asked for an escort,
Melissa handed her a glass of water.

"I'll tell you what," she said. "If that witch
shows up, throw this on her."

As a parent, I had to laugh.

As a business person, I had to think.

Why?

I once had a boss who hated the word
"problem."

When he took over the department, he
insisted that we strike that word from our
everyday language because he firmly
believed that a problem was really an
opportunity in disguise. An opportunity
to improve, to streamline, or to see what
didn't work so you could chunk it and try
again.

In fact, when anyone came to him with "an
opportunity," he insisted that they have a
solution thought about and ready to
implement before they even approached
him.

By doing this, he forced people to think
for themselves, which not only empowered
them, but freed him and his subordinate
managers from getting involved in the day
to day speed bumps that routinely

surfaced.

It's the same tactic Melissa employed with
Abby and a skill I've come to appreciate in
the years since working for that man.

Problem solving takes thought, effort, and
ingenuity. It's why people who excel it are
often paid so well. It's easy to ignore,
dismiss, or point blame when problems
arise--anyone can do that. But if you start
to view problems as opportunities, you
could find yourself on a fast track to
success.

It was certainly true for these problem
solvers:

Problem: Transporting food in the
American frontier.

Solution: Evaporate and condense milk for
portage and long term storage -- Gail
Borden, 1856 (Borden Foods).

Problem: Clothes get wet in the rain.

Solution: Combine chemicals to make cloth
waterproof -- Charles Macintosh, 1823
(Macintosh Raincoats).

Problem: Can only render biased images
through drawing, painting, or sculpting.

Solution: Develop a way to capture a
"true" image through photography --
L.J.M. Daguerre, c. 1826 (Daguerreotype).

Problem: No healthy, vegetarian
alternatives for breakfast.

Solution: Manipulate different kinds of
grains to serve with milk as cereal -- W.K.
Kellogg, c. 1900 (Kellogg's).

Problem: Can't run a computer unless you
know how to write code.

Solution: Develop an operating system
and application software so that anyone
can use a computer -- Bill Gates, c.1978
(Microsoft).

Not looking for anything as grand as
these guys? No problem. Small
opportunities abound.

If you already own a business, start with
the number one complaint your customers
give. Is it poor customer service? A bad
product? Lousy hours? Find a way to
turn that problem to your advantage. Add
people or outsource services. Get a better
product. Bring up a website for 24/7
shopping and information convenience.

In short, SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

Perhaps you're trying to think of a
business to start.

What are you good at? Golf, hopscotch,
naming cats? Is there an inherent problem
in this field of interest, like lack of time or
space to play, or a place to sell your
names? Invent a portable game or set up a
"Name Your Cat" website. Again, think of
a way to SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

If you're having the problem, chances are
good that someone else is as well. Use
that to your advantage.

Problem solving isn't always an easy job,
but it pays well. If you're thinking of
starting or expanding a business, this
could be a good place to start to give you
the competitive edge you seek.

So is it REALLY a problem? Or an
opportunity? You decide.

"Opportunity always knocks at the least
opportune time." - Anon.

Diana Pemberton-Sikes is the author of
"10 Simple Ways To Boost Your Income,"
which features dozens of simple ways to
start or expand a business using your
EXISTING knowledge, skills, and talents.
To learn more, visit her website at
www.niftybusinessideas.com.