Developing Alternatives - Business Decision Making - ثاني ثانوي

Lesson 2 Chapter 2 www.ien.edu.sa Developing Alternatives After you research a problem and collect data, start to consider alternatives and solutions. This creative phase of the problem-solving process requires imagina- tion and intuition. Identify as many alternatives and ideas as you can—your eventual solution is only as good as the set of options that you generate. Continue working with other people, especially those who are close to the prob- lem, because they often suggest solutions that might not occur to you. Table 2-2 outlines the do's and don'ts for developing alternatives. case Now that the 12 by 12 project team has gathered data about sales at the company you're work- ing at and throughout the travel industry, Omar is ready to meet with you and other members of the team to explore alternative solutions. TABLE 2-2: Developing alternatives do's and don'ts Guidelines Think creatively Ask others Document ideas Do • Generate as many ideas as possible • Break your assumptions to uncover original ideas • Brainstorm new approaches and uncommon ideas • Develop a mind map to see how problems, solutions, and alternatives are connected • Take advantage of the collective wisdom of your colleagues Consider the opinions and advice of experts and nonexperts Keep track of your ideas and those offered by others • Refer to the ideas you documented later Don't • Don't get too attached to your own ideas • Don't settle for the standard approach . Don't rely on your preconceived assumptions • Don't evaluate the ideas you generate yet • Don't think you must solve the problem yourself Don't work on the problem alone • Don't risk forgetting a great idea by failing to write it down • Don't limit the number or type of ideas you document QUICK TIP Innovative ideas often come when you don't expect them, so carry a pad of paper, notebook, or journal with you and record ideas as you think of them. Essential Elements 1. Think creatively The desire to solve a problem often anchors people to their initial ideas, though this limits the possibilities they consider and detracts from the quality of the final solution. Instead, use your creativity to explore as many ideas as you can. Think of creativity as an exercise in breaking your assumptions. Your goal is to identify new approaches and uncommon ideas. 2. Brainstorm ideas Brainstorming is a powerful creativity tool you can use to generate ideas and alternatives. Start by defining your problem-write it on a pad of paper, وزارة التعليم Ministry of Education 2024-1446 95198_book_PP1.indb 47 Solving the Problem 47 07/05/2024 10:57

Historic sites tour flip chart, whiteboard, or electronic document. List possible solutions as they occur to you, whether they are obvious, impractical, or far-fetched. The goal is quantity, not quality. Work quickly to suppress the tendency to edit and critique. When you run out of ideas, review your list to refine, combine, and edit alternatives. For example, one suggestion for increasing sales at the travel company you're working at is to offer a wider range of adventure tours showcasing stunning natural and historic wonders of Saudi Arabia. The 12 by 12 project team brainstormed to identify the alternatives shown in Figure 2-2. FIGURE 2-2: Brainstorming What kind of innovative adventure tours can the travel company offer in Saudi Arabia? Mada'in Salih Rock formations in Al-'Ula Farasan Islands ferry from Jizan Hiking to Rijal Almaa village King Abdul Aziz Historical Centre The Kingdom Centre Riyadh tour 'Edge of the World' Diriyah Visit the Al Wahbah Caves of Jabal Al-Masmak Shop in the views near Riyadh crater Qarah Palace Museum traditional Qaisariyah Souq Experience or learning tours QUICK TIP Remember that you are asking for opinions, not inviting people to assume control of your project. 3. Ask others for advice Even if you are responsible for solving the problem, you do not have to work alone. Instead, take advantage of the collective wisdom of your colleagues, which is the shared knowledge and experience a group of people can apply to a problem. By involving others, you can take advantage of their diverse opinions, experiences, and perspectives. 48 Chapter 2 Ministry of Education 2024-1446 Business Decision Making S1 S2 S3.indb 48 DEFINITIONS Brainstorming: A creativity tool for generating ideas and alternatives. A brainstorming session usually starts by defining a problem, and then listing possible solutions as they occur to you, whether they are obvious, impractical, or far-fetched. The goal is quantity, not quality. Collective wisdom: The shared knowledge and experience a group of people can apply to a problem. 30/06/2023 14:28

QUICK TIP Mapping your ideas visually helps you see relationships, understand and remember your ideas, and avoid the limitations of a traditional outline or list. 4. Develop a mind map Mind maps are diagrams that represent your ideas and stimulate your cre- ativity. Start a mind map by writing the problem in the center of a physical or digital sheet of paper. As you think of ideas, draw them as branches that project from the problem description. See Figure 2-3. Do this quickly, with- out pausing to reflect on the ideas, as you do when brainstorming. Add words or concepts that you associate with each idea. Continue to add branches radiating out from the central idea. FIGURE 2-3: Mind map YOU TRY IT وزارة التعليم Ministry of Education 2024-1446 Business Decision Making S1 S2 S3.indb 49 Add on-site lecturers Concierge Private tours Explore areas in depth Luxury locations service Door-to-door service Improve quality Add perks Unusual vehicles (helicopters) Increase sales Before and after events of company tours Innovate Increase enrollment Purposeful travel High-end home stays Viral marketing More popular tours Practice developing alternatives by generating a list of alternatives. Complete the following steps. 1. Get ready Read the following description of a problem. Problem: The main problem is that the travel company you're working at needs to increase its revenue. It also needs to improve its educational tours, which customers report are not very interesting. (An educational tour involves some type of instruction, such as on-site lectures about the history of a place, cooking classes, or art workshops.) 2. Now you try it Use a technique discussed in the "Developing Alternatives" lesson to gener- ate a list of six ways the company can improve its educational tours. Solving the Problem 49 30/06/2023 14:28

REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. Why should you use your creativity when developing alternatives? a. To identify as many ideas as possible b. To enjoy the experience c. To stay anchored to your initial ideas d. To delay a decision 2. Which of the following is a useful creativity tool for generating ideas? a. Mind map b. Mindstorm c. Brain wave d. Mashup 50 Chapter 2 Ministry of Education 2024-1446 Business Decision Making S1 S2 S3.indb 50 30/06/2023 14:28