The Journey To Business Mastery: Entry 4

It is quite easy to allow the end to justify the means. Especially when you’re convinced that the chosen path is the right one and all others simply wouldn’t be right. But according to the teachings I’ve received so far in “Analysis of Business Problems”, this is wrong. Rather than going down the route of forcing your way into being the right way, it is ideal to consider the available alternatives on how to reach your objective.  

I’ve also learnt and now understood much better that when analyzing a case or situation, I must first note certain things. These are the problem statement, the objective(s), criteria and alternatives. The problem statement would ideally contain the what, why, when, where, how and who of the case being studied. After figuring out what that is, the next thing to pull out is the objective of the “who” in the case. The objective could be seen as what they consider “success” or rather the aim they hope to achieve. Followed by this are the alternatives, which are the various ways by which this objective can be achieved. Finally, we have the criteria(s) by which every alternative would need to be vetted, to single out the most viable option.

I was told of this method in my first class, but I realize now that I didn’t fully understand this. I only realized it after reviewing the feedback we had gotten on a case which we had all reviewed individually and then offered recommendations on how the objective could be achieved. I simply decided on a solution that I liked best and spent my entire analysis showing a valiant attempt at justifying it. Which I ultimately couldn’t do very well. Because it isn’t about what I liked but rather what was the best option. My “feelings” weren’t center, my values and what was ethical could and should play a part, but one isn’t meant to be led by feelings, when conducting an analysis.

Yet another essential thing to note from class was reference to the flow of a statement. When a statement is drafted, the flow of thought must be clear and not muddled in any way. There should be no cause for the whoever is reading your analysis to be confused about where it leads or have to double their efforts in piecing together a statement. This week, the talk on the flow was mentioned particularly in relation to the delivery of the problem statement, which is the first section of work to be seen. The reader must understand what the problem is, the goal to be achieved and the constraints affecting the achievement of that goal.

Before this class, my mind was quite muddled on how to go about analyzing problems, be it in case studies or for real life application. But this template of sorts, has given me clarity. Now I know to focus on the facts that are present and to refrain from allowing assumptions influence my decisions or thinking going forward. Won’t be the easiest task, but for my growth, it is essential.  

Till my next entry, I bid you farewell.