Discussing
Problems(Part2)
In the first part of this meeting , the team spent time answering the question:
“Whatisthe problem?” In today’s episode, we’re going to focus on how
to brainstorm solutions to a problem through discussion, how to evaluate and
eliminate suggestions and then agree a plan of action.
Kathryn:…good, thank you
everybody. I thinkwe've outdone
ourselvesbrainstorming solutions to the staff morale problem. Natalie,
can you read the main ideas back to us?
Natalie:Sure thing. Uh, number 1:
team-building exercises, Number 2: consolidating offices, Number 3: social
activities, and Number 4: internal social-networking website and/or blog.
Kathryn:Great, thanks. Let’s look at
each of these,keeping in mindour
definition of the root cause of low morale - the separation of staff into 3
locations.
Neil:Wellthere’s no waythat social activities willdo any good. Nobody willshow up, even if the company pays. It’s hard enough
for usto make itto the Christmas
party.
Paula:I agree that social activities
are a poor choice. Also,given thatwe
havevirtually no moneyto spend on
this,I can't see ushiring a consultant to
do team-building exercises..
Kathryn:Okay. So, can we eliminate
these two possibilities?
All:(Murmurs of agreement)
Bill:Then there's social-networking.
Interesting idea, but there's no way old guys like me aregonnago for that. Maybe thetwenty-somethings…
Neil:Plus, if we contract it out,
we’ll spend money. We can’t build a site in-house, because the IT department
isstripped to the bare bonesnow as it
is.
Kathryn:Then it seems to me that
moving everyone back to this location isthe way
to go. What’s our first step if we want to implement this?
Paula:Well,the ideawas that this solution wouldactuallysave us money, so we’d better check that out
first with acost-benefit analysis.
Natalie:We have the same landlord for
all locations, so let’s look at those empty offices below us here, and see if
we can get out of the existingleasesfor
the other locations.
Kathryn:Okay, it sounds like we’re
already putting together an action plan. Maybe we can assign some tasks…
Vocaburary Note
To outdo onself・・・ To perform better
than in the past
virtually no・・・Almost nothing, a very
small amount
To be stripped to the bare bones・・・ To
down be to the basics
The way to go・・・ The best choice
