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Articles from
October 2009
| 18/10/2009 |
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Decision making skill.....important.
By Yakaya @ 3:30 AM :: 1600 Views ::
3 Comments ::  :: The Young Ones, Women, Far and Away: Overseas Singaporeans, The Physically Challenged, The Golden Years : Elderly, REACH Events/
Activities/Workgroup Activities, Aspirations for REACH, General
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How Good Is Your Decision-Making?
Decision-making is a key skill for effective leaders.
Whether you're deciding which person to hire, which supplier to use, or which strategy to pursue, the ability to make a good decision with available information is vital. It would be easy if there were one formula you could use in any situation, but there isn't. Each decision presents its own challenges, and we all have different ways of approaching problems.
So, how do you avoid making bad decisions - or leaving decisions to chance? You need a systematic approach to decision-making so that you can take decisions with confidence, no matter what type of decision you have to make.
No one can afford to make poor decisions. That's why we've developed a short quiz to help you assess your current decision-making skills. We'll examine how well you structure your decision-making process, and then we'll point you to specific tools and resources you can use to develop and improve this important competency.
How Good Are Your Decision-Making Skills?
Take this test online by visiting http://www.mindtool s.com/pages/ article/newTED_ 79.htm, or on paper by circling your answers to the statements below in the column that most applies. If you take the test online, your results will be calculated for you automatically.
© Mind Tools Ltd, 1995-2009.
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Statement |
Not
at all |
Rarely |
Some
times |
Often |
Very
Often |
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1 |
I evaluate the risks associated with each alternative before making a decision. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
2 |
After I make a decision, it's final – because I know my approach is good. |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
3 |
I try to determine the real issue before starting a decision-making process. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
4 |
I rely on my own experience to find potential solutions to a problem. |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
5 |
I often rely on "gut instinct" when making decisions. |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
6 |
I am sometimes surprised by the actual consequences of my decisions. |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
7 |
I use a well-defined process to structure my decisions. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
8 |
I think that involving many stakeholders to generate solutions can make the process more complicated than it needs to be. |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
9 |
If I have doubts about my decision, I go back and recheck my assumptions and my process. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
10 |
I take the time needed to choose the best decision-making tool for each specific decision. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
11 |
I consider a variety of potential solutions before I make my decision. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
12 |
Before I communicate my decision, I create an implementation plan. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
13 |
In a group decision-making process, I tend to support my friends' proposals and try to find ways to make them work. |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
14 |
When communicating my decision, I include my rationale and justification. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
15 |
Some of the options I've chosen have been much more difficult to implement than I had expected. |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
16 |
I prefer to make decisions on my own, and then let other people know what I've decided. |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
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17 |
I determine the factors most important to the decision, and then use those factors to evaluate my choices. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
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18 |
I emphasize how confident I am in my decision as a way to gain support for my plans. |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Score Interpretation
Now add up the scores you've circled.
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My score overall is: |
out of 90 |
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Score |
Comment |
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18-42 |
Your decision-making hasn't fully matured. You aren't objective enough, and you rely too much on luck, instinct or timing to make reliable decisions. Start to improve your decision-making skills by focusing more on the process that leads to the decision, rather than on the decision itself. With a solid process, you can face any decision with confidence. We'll show you how. |
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43-66 |
Your decision-making process is OK. You have a good understanding of the basics, but now you need to improve your process and be more proactive. Concentrate on finding lots of options and discovering as many risks and consequences as you can. The better your analysis, the better your decision will be in the long term. Focus specifically on the areas where you lost points, and develop a system that will work for you across a wide variety of situations. |
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67-90 |
You have an excellent approach to decision-making! You know how to set up the process and generate lots of potential solutions. From there, you analyze the options carefully, and you make the best decisions possible based on what you know. As you gain more and more experience, use that information to evaluate your decisions, and continue to build on your decision-making success. Think about the areas where you lost points, and decide how you can include those areas in your process. |
As you answered the questions, did you see some common themes? We based our quiz on six essential steps in the decision-making process:
1. Establishing a positive decision-making environment.
2. Generating potential solutions.
3. Evaluating the solutions.
4. Deciding.
5. Checking the decision.
6. Communicating and implementing.
If you're aware of these six basic elements and improve the way you structure them, this will help you develop a better overall decision-making system. Let's look at the six elements individually.
Establishing a Positive Decision-Making Environment (Statements 3, 7, 13, 16)
For statements in this category, fill in your scores in the table below, and then calculate your total.
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Score |
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Statement 3 |
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Statement 7 |
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Statement 13 |
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Statement 16 |
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Total |
Out of 20 |
If you've ever been in a meeting where people seem to be discussing different issues, then you've seen what happens when the decision-making environment hasn't been established. It's essential for everyone to understand the issue before preparing to make a decision. This includes agreeing on an objective, making sure the right issue is being discussed, and agreeing on a process to move the decision forward.
You also must address key interpersonal considerations at the very beginning. Have you included all the stakeholders? And do the people involved in the decision agree to respect one another and engage in an open and honest discussion? After all, if only the strongest opinions are heard, you risk not considering some of the best solutions available. Click here to learn more about creating a constructive decision-making environment.
Generating Potential Solutions (Statements 4, 8, 11)
For statements in this category, fill in your scores in the table below, and then calculate your total.
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Score |
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Statement 4 |
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Statement 8 |
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Statement 11 |
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Total |
Out of 15 |
Another important part of a good decision process is generating as many good alternatives as sensibly possible to consider. If you simply adopt the first solution you encounter, then you're probably missing a great many even better alternatives. Click here to learn about some powerful tools for generating good alternatives, expanding the number of ideas, and considering different perspectives.
Evaluating Alternatives (Statements 1, 6, 15)
For statements in this category, fill in your scores in the table below, and then calculate your total.
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Score |
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Statement 1 |
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Statement 6 |
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Statement 15 |
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Total |
Out of 15 |
The stage of exploring alternatives is often the most time-consuming part of the decision-making process. For some people, this stage sometimes takes so long that a decision is never made - this is true "paralysis by analysis"! To make this step efficient, be clear about the factors you want to include in your analysis. There are three key factors to consider:
1. Risk - Most decisions involve some risk. However, you need to uncover and understand the risks to make the best choice possible.
2. Consequences - You can't predict the implications of a decision with 100% accuracy. But you can be careful and systematic in the way that you identify and evaluate possible positive and negative consequences.
3. Feasibility - Is the choice realistic and implementable? This factor is often ignored. You usually have to consider certain constraints when making a decision. As part of this evaluation stage, ensure that the alternative you've selected is significantly better than the status quo.
Click here to see a list of tools that you can use to improve the way you evaluate alternatives.
Deciding (Statements 5, 10, 17)
For statements in this category, fill in your scores in the table below, and then calculate your total.
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Score |
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Statement 5 |
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Statement 10 |
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Statement 17 |
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Total |
Out of 15 |
Making the decision itself can be exciting and stressful. To help you deal with these emotions as objectively as possible, use a structured approached to the decision. This means taking a look at what's most important in a good decision.
Take the time to think ahead and determine exactly what will make the decision "right." This will significantly improve your decision-making accuracy. Click here to learn about the different tools that you can use to make a good decision.
Checking the Decision (Statements 2, 9)
For statements in this category, fill in your scores in the table below, and then calculate your total.
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Score |
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Statement 2 |
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Statement 9 |
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Total |
Out of 10 |
Remember that some things about a decision are not objective. The decision usually has to make sense on an intuitive, instinctive level as well. The entire process we have discussed so far has been based on the perspectives and experiences of all the people involved. Now it's time to check the alternative you've chosen for validity and "making sense."
If the decision is a significant one, it's also worth auditing it to make sure that your assumptions are correct, and that the logical structure you've used to make the decision is sound.
Click here to learn more about tools that you can use to do this.
Communicating and Implementing (Statements 12, 14, 18)
For statements in this category, fill in your scores in the table below, and then calculate your total.
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Score |
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Statement 12 |
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Statement 14 |
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Statement 18 |
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Total |
Out of 15 |
The last stage in the decision-making process involves communicating your choice and preparing to implement it. You can try to force your decision on others by demanding their acceptance. Or you can gain their acceptance by explaining how and why you reached your decision. For most decisions - particularly those that need participant buy-in before implementation - it's more effective to gather support by explaining your decision.
Have a plan for implementing your decision. People usually respond positively to a clear plan - one that tells them what to expect and what they need to do. For more information on developing these types of plans, read our articles about project management and change management.
Key Points
Decision-making is a skill - and skills can usually be improved. As you gain more experience making decisions, and as you become more familiar with the tools and structures needed for effective decision-making, you'll improve your confidence. Use this opportunity to think about how you can improve your decision-making and take your skills to the next level. Ultimately, improving your decision-making skills will benefit you and your organization.
Regards
Yakaya
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| 13/10/2009 |
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Family parking woes at Blk 748 Jurong West St 73 Carpark
By Serenetph @ 12:47 PM :: 1650 Views ::
1 Comments ::  :: General
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My mother in law stays in Blk 748, Jurong West St 73. In her estate, there are two carparks, an open air carpark right beside her block as well as a multi-storey carpark.
As both myself and my husband are working, we are very fortunate to have our mother in law helping us with taking care of the our two young kids, ages 3 and 1 in the day. In the morning, we will bring both kids, still asleep to my mother in law's place at around 6.15 am. As the kids are fast asleep in the early morning, we rely on two strollers to ferry both kids between our place and mother in law's place. in the evening, between 8-10 pm, we will pick up our kids and bring them home.
In the past, we will park in the open air carpark. Early this year, we noticed that the open air carpark has been to be reserved strictly for seasoned parking ticket holders. This has created safety risk and inconvienience for my family. When either of us has to stay back in the office, the other partner will be entrusted with the responsibility of bringing the kids back. It is highly unsafe and inconvenient to bring two small kids and two strollers up the multistorey carpark, especially with a hyperactive three year old running around. Though there is a stairway connection between my mother in law's block and the multistorey carpark, it is impossible for a single person to manage two strollers and two kids up the staircase.
Subsequently we attempted to purchase the season parking ticket under the Family Season Parking Ticket Scheme (FSPT). However, we were advised that the open air carpark is strictly for residents and we are not eligible to purchase the ticket, not even under FSPT.
I sincerely hope that some improvements can be made to this situation, either by allowing us to purchase the FSPT or building a ramp connection between my mother in law's block and the carpark. Thank you.
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| 03/10/2009 |
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BEWARE
By Yakaya @ 3:03 AM :: 1668 Views ::
0 Comments :: The Young Ones, Women, Far and Away: Overseas Singaporeans, The Physically Challenged, The Golden Years : Elderly, REACH Events/
Activities/Workgroup Activities, Aspirations for REACH, General
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1. Driving to JB
If you get RM10.00 in your car door handle, use tissue paper or cloth to remove it without opening it and if possible bag it. Drive away immediately. Don't check the note until you are in the company of your friends or relatives.
The note could either contain powdered drugs to knock you out or make you wonder if some guilty motorist compensating you for a knock or scratch on your car, while you are still wondering, the robber(s) will attack you as you check the car.
This had happened in Johor. Please circulate to your friends and warn them!
2. Subject: Duped by credit card scam upon check in at Hotel
You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk. When checking in, you give the front desk your credit card (for all the charges for your room). You get to your room and settle in. Someone calls the front desk and asked for (example) Room 620 (which happens to be your room).
Your phone rings in your room. You answer and the person on the other end says the following, This is the front desk. When checking in, we came across a problem with your charge card information. Please re-read me your credit card number and verify the last 3 digits numbers at the reverse side of your charge card.
Not thinking anything you might give this person your information, since the call seems to come from the front desk. But actually, it is a scam of someone calling from outside the hotel/front desk. They ask for a random room number. Then, ask you for credit card information and address information. Sounding so professional that you do think you are talking to the front desk.
If you ever encounter this problem on your vacation, tell the caller that you will be down at the front desk to clear up any problems. Then, go to the front desk and ask if there was a problem. If there was none, inform the manager of the hotel that someone called to scam you of your credit card information acting like a front desk employee.
If you feel that the tips are useful, please forward it to your relatives, friends & colleague.
3. Subject: Bangkok International Airport
Folks, be warned and be really careful, check the items you bought and give back what does not belong to you even when the shop assistants claimed it's 'free'. I believe the duty free shop assistants would also get a share.......so, be very, very careful. Read below
My Dept. secretary informed on this. Her cousin was detained in Bangkok for stealing a box of cigarettes in a duty-free shop in Bangkok International Airport .
He had paid for chocolates and a carton of cigarettes. The cashier put a packet of smokes into his bag and he thought it was a free pack.
He was arrested for shop-lifting and the Thai Police extortion price was RM30,000 for his release. He spent two nights in jail and paid RM50 for an air-con cell, 200-300 baht for each visitor, and RM11,000 for his final release.
The Police shared the money in front of his eyes. On top of that, he was charged in court and fined RM2,000 by the magistrate and handcuffed and escorted to his plane.
His passport was stamped "Thief". While there, his relatives requested help from the Malaysian Embassy and was told that they are helpless, as Malaysians are victimised similarly daily and letters and phone-calls to the Thai Authorities are ignored.
He shared a cell with a Singaporean the 1st night who paid RM60,000 for his release.
The 2nd night was an Indian national who paid USD70,000.
Mind you this is not in a shag downtown Bangkok but in a duty free shop in Bangkok 's Int'l Airport .
Regards
Yakaya
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