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Tip 487: Analyze your own ideas with the five W questions. |
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One of the best guides for analyzing a new idea thoroughly is to set up the five Ws as a framework for thought: why it would work, where it would work, who would be involved, when it would be useful, how it could be implemented. Pose these prompting questions to yourself or to others involved in the analysis. |
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If the answer is unfavorable, rephrase the questions before you give up on the idea: Why did the process not work for us? What could we improve to make things work better? What results did we want that we didn't achieve? Who else could benefit from joining us in the process? How do we want to do it next time? What can we learn from this effort? |
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Tip 488: Stimulate creative thinking with what-if questions. |
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You can lead people to reflect on the unknown of various events or circumstances by posing what-if questions: "What if we held elections only once a decade rather than every two years?" "What if we cut out commissions all together?" ''What if we make this project a charitable contribution?" "What if we could get the customer to pay us up front?" Strangely enough, most of us don't put ourselves on the spot often enough to come up with creative solutions. Yet, when posed with such questions from others, we take the challenge. The result is often insightful answers that benefit both people. |
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Tip 489: Plant your own ideas with questions. |
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"Has anybody given serious thought to bypassing the marketing department with this campaign?" "Is it realistic to think employees will not mind lengthening the workday 10 minutes?" "How would it work if we combined the flyer and the catalog in one envelope?" "What would happen if you went back to your own supplier and suggested the change?" With such questions, you've planted the idea in a low-risk way; others can take it or leave it without your having to defend the position or sell it actively. |
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Tip 490: Persuade people by asking questions. |
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"Do you think your career could benefit from exposure to this training?" "If you were to seek such a lateral move, what experience could you pick up along the way that might help you get to the next level when something |
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