1. Effective decision making How to make decisions that count

2. Today What is a decision? When decisions arise How to avoid problem decisions A simple decision making process

3. What is a decision? A decision is simply: The making up of one’s mind The settlement of an issue The conclusion of a matter It marks the end of a process

4. When decisions arise Decisions occur at every minute of the day: What to wear, eat or read Which procedure to use How to approach a problem or issue Resolving problems or issues Many decisions are made without needing much thought Others require significant consideration

5. Avoiding problem decisions There are two main types of problem decisions: When all the facts are not taken into consideration and When “instant” decisions take a long time and where decisions needing thought take an instant

6. Missing facts Decisions made with incomplete facts can be: Damaging and dangerous to your business Badly affect people, especially when team members are concerned Unjust, indiscriminate and unfair Just wrong!

7. Inappropriate time frame Decisions made in undue haste or undue leisure can: Have the same effect as decisions made with incomplete facts Lead to the issue escalating into a larger and more serious problem Serve to address only the symptoms rather than the cause Lead to your clients and staff withdrawing their trust in you

8. A decision making process 1. Analyse the problem 2. Consider all the alternatives 3. Select an appropriate solution

9. 1. Analyse the problem Deal with the issue, not the symptoms Gather facts about the problem Ask questions that address the issue Avoid assumptions Validate your analysis - assume all your assumptions are wrong Now state the problem clearly and concisely

10. Consider all the alternatives Brainstorm possible solutions – do not evaluate Now evaluate the pros and cons of each solution Assess any barriers or risks Calculate the cost/benefit for each solution

11. Select an appropriate solution Make your decision based: Your ability to implement The cost/benefit analysis The pros and cons Your decisions should always be the one that best contributes to the company’s goals

12. Summary Decisions are made every day Some are easy/hard, small/large Decision making is a three step process: Analyse the problem Consider alternatives Decide on a solution Use this process to make effective decisions