The Art of Problem-Solving | Len Bertain | TEDxCWRU

Summary

In this compelling presentation, business consultant Len Burton shares his 30 years of experience in helping employees identify and solve problems, driving significant profits for companies. Through insightful stories, he illustrates the importance of empowering individuals to innovate, creating a company culture that fosters improvement, and ensuring teams focus on customer-centric solutions. Burton emphasizes that protecting the free mind of individuals, motivating employees by enabling them to enhance their environment, and aligning teams with shared goals can lead to transformative results. His practical advice for newcomers stresses the power of teamwork and finding champions to drive change.

Takeaways

• 😀 The free-exploring mind of the individual is the most valuable asset in business, and it should be protected and nurtured.
• 😀 Solving problems often starts with understanding and empowering individuals, encouraging them to present and develop their ideas.
• 😀 Employees are more motivated and engaged when they are allowed to improve their work environment.
• 😀 The 567 rule (5% of the effort yields 67% of the benefit) helps focus on progress rather than striving for a perfect, sometimes impractical solution.
• 😀 In problem-solving, it's crucial to identify the root cause of the problem rather than just addressing symptoms.
• 😀 Teamwork and collaboration are key in tackling complex issues, as diverse perspectives often lead to better solutions.
• 😀 When employees are empowered to come together and share their perspectives, they are more likely to develop solutions that directly benefit the customer.
• 😀 Companies should avoid stifling innovation by allowing employees to implement their ideas and improve processes.
• 😀 Leaders should act as champions for problem-solving initiatives, supporting their teams in making improvements.
• 😀 When approaching problems, it's essential to have a clear understanding of who the end customer is and ensure that solutions serve their needs.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Len Burton's business consulting approach?

Len Burton's business consulting approach focuses on teaching client employees to identify and solve problems. His goal is to empower individuals and businesses to address inefficiencies and improve productivity.

Why does Len Burton believe that work is essentially problem-solving?

Len Burton believes that work is essentially problem-solving because every workday involves encountering challenges, such as meeting deadlines, fixing bugs, or resolving customer complaints, all of which require solutions.

What was the key innovation proposed by the young man in Len Burton's first story?

The young man proposed a process that reduced the time to change over from one paint color to another on the production line. What used to take 20 to 40 minutes could now be done in less than 90 seconds, which significantly increased production efficiency.

How did Len Burton respond to the general manager's dismissal of the young man's idea?

Len Burton confronted the general manager, demanded that he retrieve the discarded idea from the trash, and then took the young man’s idea to the CEO. After discussing the matter, the CEO approved the idea and encouraged its implementation.

What is the '567 rule' that Len Burton mentions?

The '567 rule' is a principle where 5% of the effort results in 67% of the benefit. It emphasizes making progress rather than striving for a perfect, but often impractical, solution.

Why is it demotivating for employees when companies prevent them from improving their environment?

Len Burton believes that it is demotivating when companies prevent employees from improving their work environment because humans have a natural desire to enhance their surroundings. When this instinct is stifled, it leads to frustration and a lack of motivation.

What did Len Burton recommend to a young man struggling to implement changes in his workplace?

Len Burton advised the young man to focus on making progress, not achieving a perfect solution. By implementing smaller, practical changes, the company was able to reduce machine setup time from 6-7 hours to less than 30 minutes.

What was the problem the team was facing in Len Burton's story about 'hot jobs'?

The team was frustrated with the 'hot jobs' system, where urgent customer orders would disrupt the production line, causing unnecessary setup time and inefficiencies. The issue, however, turned out to be a symptom of a deeper problem, which was addressed by optimizing the production setup process.

What lesson does Len Burton emphasize about teamwork and problem-solving?

Len Burton emphasizes that when a team is empowered to collaborate, has a common interest in solving a problem, and understands the customer they are serving, they are likely to come up with effective solutions.

What advice does Len Burton give to new employees entering a workplace?

Len Burton advises new employees to not try to solve problems on their own. Instead, they should build a team, find a manager or executive who will champion the idea, and work collaboratively to solve the problem.