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Some Thoughts on Solving Complex Problems

Some Thoughts on Solving Complex Problems

We are on the verge of changes and technologies that, individually, seem cool. Think about the wonders of robotics, AI, cloud computing, the Internet of things, smartphones, software as a service, global value chains, and 3D printing. Now, think about standing at the epicenter of many things happening at the same time in your industry…

Death by GPS (Story, Question, Story, Warning, Advice)

Death by GPS (Story, Question, Story, Warning, Advice)

STORY: Thirty-five years ago, on August 31, 1983, a Korean Airlines flight left Anchorage for Seoul. After take-off, the pilots engaged the autopilot and settled in for the flight. Unfortunately, there was a wrong setting and hours later the plane was 100s of miles off course and in Soviet airspace. The Soviets launched military aircraft…

Six More Ways to Prepare for the Future

Six More Ways to Prepare for the Future

In the last issue of MindPrep, I presented six ways to prepare for the future. They were: DECLARE YOUR MAJOR USE GAME FILMS PLAY WAR GAMES EXPLORE BUILD COMPETING EXPLANATIONS PROBE I told you that I’d give you another set of six. Here they are: PLAN THE PROJECT: Project planners prepare a budget and timeline…

The Detective says to Inspector Dalgliesh

The Detective says to Inspector Dalgliesh

So, the detective says to Inspector Dalgliesh, “Don’t worry sir, I’ll keep an open mind.” Dalgliesh says to himself “No he won’t, he’s already made up his mind.” The little scene for one of P.D. James’ crime novels has been on my mind. What does it mean to have an open mind and why is…

Clark Stanley’s Snake Oil Liniment

Clark Stanley’s Snake Oil Liniment

We can look back about 100 years or so and see simple people looking for simple solutions to complex problems. What fools they were! Take for example, the 1916 advertisement for Clark Stanley’s Snake Oil Liniment. It advertised itself as “Is good for everything a liniment out to be good for.” It then listed some…

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