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How I Finally Learned to Solve Problems

Eric Crews
|
7.22.2020
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How do you solve a problem you can't define?

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One of the most common mistakes I see entrepreneurs make is tackling the wrong issues in their businesses.

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The problem you see on the surface isn’t usually the cause of the issue; it’s a symptom of it.

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If there’s one tool from the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) that can instantly transform a business owner’s life, it would have to be IDS (Identify, Discuss, and Solve).

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When you learn how to properly identify your issues—which aren’t just problems but also opportunities—you unlock the ability to quickly create impactful and lasting change in your company.

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So how do you get to the heart of an issue? By asking one simple question…

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Why?

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IDS contains three steps, but the most challenging step is correctly identifying the issue.

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When an issue first comes up, the tendency is to want to jump to discussion. Discussion is crucial, but if left unchecked, it can become a major time waster that yields little to no results. This is especially true if your team isn’t discussing the core issue at hand!

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Resist the urge to jump straight to discussion. Instead, ask “Why?”

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And keep asking “Why?” until you get to the real issue you’re trying to solve.

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Here’s an example: A CEO’s company is stuck in a growth plateau.

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Why is this happening? The CEO’s personal networking and business development has flatlined.

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Why is this happening? The CEO is spending too much time working in the business and not on the business.

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Why is this happening? Team members are constantly pulling the CEO back into client projects.

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Why is this happening? Team members have difficulty keeping clients within the prescribed scope of work and need help managing client expectations.

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Why is this happening? The company’s proposal process doesn’t lay out a clearly detailed scope of work.

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Now the issue to discuss and solve is: How do we refine our proposal process to set clear client expectations for scope of work?

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On the EOS Model, there are Six Key Components of every business:

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The issue we defined is a “process” issue on the EOS Model.

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Imagine that CEO going through the same exercise again. Every answer is the same—until they get to the last “Why is this happening?”

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This time, the CEO’s response is: The team’s project manager doesn’t have the skills or temperament needed to set and hold boundaries with clients.

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Now the issue to discuss and solve is: Do we have the right person in the project management seat? The new issue we’ve defined is a “people” issue on the EOS Model.

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If you try to address a people issue with a process solution, or vice versa, the solution won’t stick. Until you identify the real issue, you can’t come up with a meaningful solve.

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Of course, we all have our blind spots. Asking “Why?” and getting to the core issue is more challenging than it seems, especially when it’s your issue. Outside perspective, especially from a trained EOS Implementer, can be incredibly valuable in these moments.

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If you find yourself continually solving the same problems or creating solutions that aren’t giving your business real traction, contact us to speak with one of our EOS Implementers.

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It’s time to find out if you’re asking the right questions.

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