Two mistakes most people make in trying to solve problems:
1. Throwing money at it
2. Trying multiple solutions all at the same time
Executives need to consider the wide-ranging impact of their decisions, as well as, the long-term effects and consequences of those decisions. We find our country in a financial mess because decisions were made years ago without regard to the impact of those choices.
1. Throwing money at a problem doesn't solve the problem
Throwing money at a problem will not solve the cause of the problem. At best, it will only cover up the problem by trying to minimize the impact or money puts a fresh coat of paint on the problem just to make it appear to be better. For years in this country broken business models have been throwing money at the problem and this recession became their "margin call."
Take the auto companies as an example. Instead of figuring out the cars to make for the American public with a cost effective process, they threw money at interruption advertising (that doesn't work) and threw money at a labor force in hopes of making the best vehicle on the road (they aren't.) Now, because of poor business practices they expect the government to throw money at them to solve their problems. Will they ever learn money doesn't fix decision problems? How much will the long term impact of government actions be felt by future generations?
Because of the pace of business executives have to make decisions faster than ever before and the speed with which the business climate is moving makes those decisions have much great impact both long-term and wide ranging.
2. Trying multiple solutions all at the same time won't prevent the problem again.
Ever been in a situation when a panicky boss was breathing down your neck to get a problem fixed in a hurry and you threw everything you know at it just to get him off your back? Fortunately for you, the problem was corrected. Unfortunately for you the problem wasn't solved and will return leaving you to wonder what to do the next time.
In our haste to post positive numbers we have become more focused on fixing the symptoms of the problem and not the cause of the problem. Every time an executive makes the decision for a quick fix, solving the root cause of the problem creation gets buried under the pile of solutions thrown at it simultaneously, and the problem is sure to return. What was learned? What is the long-term impact of the hasty decision? How wide is the impact from not truly solving the problem?
Imagine your high school aged son gets in trouble with the law for marijuana possession. Instead of taking the time to have meaningful conversations with him trying to understand why he felt the need to be involved with that drug and what his decision-making errors were, fear sets in and you want his problem solved once and for all. So, you let him experience some "tough love" jail time, then enroll him in a drug addiction recovery program, set psychologist appointments and have medication prescribed for him to stop him from going down that path again. Get a sense of overkill here? Any idea what "solution" worked? Could you still face a poor decision-making problem down the road since the real cause of the problem was actually missed?
Solving problems means finding the solution that actually prevents the problem from returning. Consider the long-term effect and wide-range impact of your impulse decisions when faced with a problem. You don't want to create bigger problems with your "solutions."
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