When I was consulting with companies on Six Sigma and other problem solving methodologies one of the greatest challenges for team members was spending time in the initial stage of the process: Defining the Problem. They were consistently itchy to get moving to the next step in the problem solving methodology. Members would voice their frustration that they weren’t solving the problem by spending time further characterizing the fly in the ointment.

Did you ever wonder why the tens of thousands of creative ideas that people have don’t come to fruition? I’m sure there are a myriad of reasons but I think one of the top contenders has to be because our friends and colleagues tell us our idea isn’t viable – sometimes even saying it’s ridiculous or stupid.

 There’s agreement that collaboration, rather than the work of a lone genius or expert, is the prevailing key to creativity and better decision-making. But is there a way, in the absence of other people that an individual can improve his or her decision making, particularly related to predictions?

 Remember when “The Best Just Got Better!” and Coca-Cola introduced New Coke in 1985? For those readers too young to recall, it was a disaster. The 80’s were a time of cola wars and Pepsi was winning. Their market share was increasing and in blind taste tests people preferred the taste of Pepsi. Unless a change was made, Pepsi would soon outsell Coke.