Irrational Agency’s Post

The process of problem-solving is critical in life and business alike. In the 1970's, the concept was famously articulated by Nobel laureate Herbert Simon. He broke it down into three key stages: • Intelligence • Design • Choice. In essence, Simon suggested that solving any problem begins with gathering the right information, then creatively developing potential solutions, and finally selecting the best option. But let's take this a step further, especially in the context of business strategy. Effective problem-solving is about deeply understanding the root of the issue at hand. It involves immersing yourself in the situation to identify the real problem, not just the symptoms. Once you've got that, the solutions almost start presenting themselves. So, what is the real challenge in solving problems? It's in comparing these alternatives—not just on paper, but in how they'll play out in real-world scenarios. It's about balancing the ideal with the practical and the innovative with the feasible. Only then comes the decision-making, where you don't just pick the 'best' solution, but the one that aligns with long-term goals, values, and the larger strategy. In a way, problem-solving is an ongoing cycle rather than a linear process. It’s about revisiting each stage as new data emerges and as solutions evolve. Read this post and more on my Typeshare Social Blog: https://lnkd.in/ebAvRcjb

Were you really engaged by a complicated problem or a decision making with congestion of parameters, especially social subjects, so far? Suppose that, you have to complete a theme or puzzle with lots of small pieces that are more than holes determined to fill them out (with many extra pieces you are facing on),and left on the table? All small pieces are correctly designed,only by replacing them, a new plan, a bit difference by the rest,it has got. At the first, maybe, someone became puzzled! You may decide and implement some topics actions as follows: _ Prefer to reject or erase/ ,... the subject. In fact you faced it thrown away to avoid pursuing a procedure which paid money to supply all direct- indirect also- costs, and allocated time to discuss to prepare all requirements,will be ignored. Upon announcing your decision your face and credit have gone out,or at least they might not be as level of strength points as before and its effects could be remained for ever. _ Replace the puzzle with pieces nrs. equal to holes. Now you might be delighted,and speaking in a business maner, start advertising as much as or as far as the sound of Israfil's trumpet in her instrument. Again, I have to summerise, the best and reliable action/reaction to solve the issue, you'd better hire a reputable well known team,who are specialists and emotional intelligence to recognise your insensitivity against the extracted results ,then start to initial survey. The methodology of that team is: using a software to simulate the subject. They shall know all parameters and their relations between all pieces,and also surrounded all prameters which affect on dynamic systems models(This subject model has got balanced loop). I have to address to you : there is a system with many parts that are affecting and working together to achieve a defined intetion,and to be on a stable situation. however,palrametrs are changing. Unfortunately, in Iran,we are not familier by these methodgy that can simulate and show the results before doing and getting any decision. Beside you'd better know,our team has simulated many prime subjects and the extracted results caused to do or not do some top and main projects ,and also for strategical decisions used.

Does research even DESERVE a “seat at the table”? I’m not so sure it does. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗱, 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵: the business will only care about your opinion if it has a clear impact on the bottom line. And the reason why research rarely gets a “seat at the table” (translation: influence) is because their work just isn’t clearly tied to growth. The two specific issues IMO: → 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 / 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 A massive PDF full of research findings, data, etc., isn’t useful. Nobody has time to wade through all that 💩 and parse it into something they can USE. And the academic stuff, like confidence intervals, sensitivity analysis, effect size, etc, is just adding more noise. Product teams need specific, actionable insights, not a “customized data puke” (hat tip to Avinash Kaushik). → 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄 PMs can’t wait 6-8 weeks for a research project to wrap. Even if they wanted to (they don’t), it’s just not an option. If you’re not getting them what they need, when they need it, they’re just gonna move on without you. It’s as simple as that. ===== 𝗣.𝗦. 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 about how to do great research fast: https://zelmanow.kit.com/   👋 I'm Ari... a criminal investigator turned customer investigator.   🤝 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵? Try Customer Forensics. DM me for details.   𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁:   👍 Like it 🛟 Save it ♻ Repost it 🔔 Follow me 💌 Subscribe (link in carousel)

Recently I have read this article of Boston Consulting Group (BCG) written by Alan Iny and Luc de Brabandere. Very interesting topic and content that I can recommend to view.

👉 Do you have a theory of change, results chain, or logic model? Do you want one? A theory of change can transform the way you understand, implement and evaluate how your work makes a difference to the people and communities you care about. This is core business at Matter of Focus- we have helped hundreds of organisations, programmes, projects and research initiatives set out a pathway to show how their work makes an impact. But there is a lot of mystique around theories of change or logic models. We break them down, using plain language and working in a way that balances simplicity and complexity so that you can make progress. If you are interested in creating, adapting or applying a theory of change to any kind of project, programme, initiative or strategy, we can help. Theories of change are the cornerstone of understanding impact and outcomes and help to track progress and tell a compelling story of if and how your work makes a difference. They also help: 😀 Ensure everyone is ready for a new change process, or to iron out partnership plans. 😀 Plan for the difference you want to make. 😀 Link activities to the outcomes and impacts you care about. 😀 Be clear to staff, stakeholders and funders how your work makes a difference to people and communities. 😀 Get everyone on the same page about what is most important about your work. 😀 Provide a framework for reflection, learning, evaluation and reporting. Our software OutNav brings theories of change to life by providing a way of holding, sharing and tracking progress across them. If you already have one this can be a great way of working with it. If you want help making, reviewing or bringing a theory of change, logic model or results chain then Matter of Focus and OutNav are for you.

Just finished reading (ok, skimming – there’s a lot there!) Greenbook’s 2024 GRIT Insights Practice Report. I’m glad to see that research buyers are prioritizing sample quality more than ever. Half have had to recently address doubts about sample quality multiple times. How are they addressing these issues? ✔ Using sample providers less often ✔ Moving to alternative sample sources ✔ Building their own panels ✔ Applying more pressure on sample providers ✔ Using tools to automate data quality assessment ✔ Using fraud detection tools I’m hopeful this pushes the industry to invest significantly in improving sample quality out there. Here’s the report if anyone’s interested in checking it out. It covers a lot more ground than just sample-related matters: https://lnkd.in/ddah9uhs

I see three key elements for Theories of Change in corporate impact: 1. The process of setting your Theory of Change is perhaps its most valuable element: Do so as collaboratively and iteratively as possible to ensure diverse perspectives and voices are included. If your ToC is easy to define, that may indicate you’ve not set the ambition level high enough or not included the right stakeholders. 2. Find a balance between data and story: Data is critical but don’t fail to share the human story behind the numbers. On the other end of the spectrum, don’t fall into “social-washing” by sharing stories of change if the data and their scale aren’t significant to the problem you’re trying to tackle. 3. Transparency and humility are critical ingredients to long-term success: In social innovation and impact work, and even more so in the iterative process of measurement with ToCs. Read my latest article to learn more about the Theories of Change “traps” to watch out for: https://lnkd.in/eV-DGghf

HOW TO EVALUATE SOURCES In today’s digital age, distinguishing between credible and unreliable sources is crucial for business success. Ensuring your data comes from trustworthy origins can make all the difference in your decision-making process. Here’s how our product can help you master source evaluation! 💡 🚀 Why Source Evaluation Matters: 1. Avoid misinformation and make informed decisions. 2. Enhance your research quality and credibility. 3. Build trust with clients and stakeholders. 📈 Our Product Offers: 1. Automated Source Analysis: Quickly determine the reliability of your sources. 2. Comprehensive Reports: Get detailed insights into source credibility. 3. User-Friendly Interface: Easily integrate with your existing workflow. 🔑 Key Features: 1. Accuracy Check: Verify facts with our advanced algorithms. 2. Reputation Score: Assess the trustworthiness of the source. 3. Historical Data: Analyze past reliability trends. 🔥 Ready to Enhance Your Research? CLICK LINK IN BIO to learn more about our product and how it can revolutionize your source evaluation process! 🌟 #ResearchTools #EvaluateSources #InformationLiteracy #DataIntegrity #BusinessSuccess #SourceCredibility #FactChecking #ReliableInformation #DecisionMaking #ResearchQuality #BusinessResearch #DigitalAge #Innovation #WorkflowIntegration #TrustworthyData #WRIRK #MPRW

Exception reports are underrated. They show you where things are different. Different = opportunity. Most companies barely use them. (Big mistake) Start by choosing: 1. What to measure 2. What to compare against 3. When it matters Then watch the insights come in.