Page 125 - 100 Great Business Ideas: From Leading Companies Around the World (100 Great Ideas)

63/37. VISUALIZATION

Visualization of a problem and its potential solutions is a
good way to generate alternatives. The mind seems to react
even more creatively to pictures than to words. Visualiza-
tion seems to evoke new insights, which can lead to new
solutions. This process can be used in conjunction with other
processes. 55 Simply close your eyes and visualize the prob-
lem. What do you see? Expand on what you see. Seek more
detail. What do your visions suggest? What solutions can
you see?

64/38 WHAT IF...?

Ask yourself "What if something happens, what would the
consequences be?" For example, what if you sold a million
units of your product next year? What consequences would
occur? Who would be affected? What actions should you
take? Or if your sales dropped by 10 percent, how would
your firm be affected? What should you do?

This technique can be a powerful tool. Successful strategic
management often depends on the ability to use software to
ask "What if" questions and then generate a list of conse-
quences and strategic responses. Firms often use "What if"
scenarios to formulate strategic plans and strategic contin-
gency plans. About 80 percent of astronaut training is re-
sponding to "What if" situations. 56

A FINAL NOTE

There are thirty-eight processes discussed in this chapter.
Some you will like, some you won't, but try as many of them
as you can. Then use the ones you feel most comfortable
with, but revisit the rest of these processes occasionally to
make sure you aren't overlooking one that might be of value
in your particular situation. Table 4.5 contains a quick guide
to my favorite individual and group alternative generation
techniques.