The ABCDE’s of Decision-Making
The ABC Model by Albert Ellis from the 1950s is a key part of Rational-Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), which helped start cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). The
The ABC Model by Albert Ellis from the 1950s is a key part of Rational-Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), which helped start cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). The
Definitions Strategic Planning: Strategic planning is a systematic, formally documented process for deciding the handful of key decisions that an organization, viewed as a corporate
Most people wander through the decision-making process without a proper toolkit, often relying on instinct or fragmented strategies. If you are reading this, then you
Making good business decisions is a challenging process, influenced by a blend of internal motivations and external pressures. Here’s a brief guide to understanding these
In today’s dynamic business environment, decision-making is a multifaceted process, encompassing independent thinking, corporate-team dynamics, and cross-corporate collaboration. Each approach has its own set of
In a world filled with diverse perspectives and opinions, decision-making can become complex when parties hold opposing views. Overcoming preconceptions, biases, and deeply ingrained beliefs
Making decisions is an essential part of our daily lives, and it is no different when it comes to running a small to mid-size business
Dan Ariely, in his book ‘The Upside of Irrationality’ (2010), rightly points out that making big, important, life-changing decisions is difficult due to the numerous
Introduction to the P=2S+O approach to solving problems The P=2S+O approach is a powerful problem-solving methodology that stands for: “For every Problem, you can find
This blog presents thoughts about how Decision-Making, coupled with technology advancements and social trends, is likely to evolve over the next 10 to 20 years.
Client’s Challenging Situation: Small and mid-size businesses [SMBs] wanted information and metrics to benchmark their businesses’ performance against the performance of competitors in their industry
If you take the time, and it will take a surprisingly large amount of time, to analyze the decisions you make in a 24-hour day then you will discover the wide variety of decisions you make.
We often hear sayings such as “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” and stories about people screaming into pillows to relieve their
Bias and groupthink significantly impact the effectiveness of team decisions. These limitations lead to poor choices and reduce creativity and innovation. That’s why finding ways
To advance business, having a strong network of trusted advisors, colleagues, and partners is essential. This network or ‘master mind’ can provide valuable insights, sound
At this point, you have a prototype and have completed market research. Now you face manufacturing. When manufacturing you have multiple options. The first big
At a recent Centre for Family Business event, Larry Smith, a renowned thought leader and educator, presented a compelling message for enhancing business productivity and
So you’ve had an idea and turned it into a prototype. Can it be sold? Do people want to buy it? Investigating the market is
The concept of activation in physics, specifically referring to the amount of energy required for a collision between particles to be successful in breaking bonds
Friction, in both the physical and metaphorical sense, plays a crucial role in our lives. Physically, friction is the resistance that one surface or object
The concept of “consideration” is multifaceted and plays a crucial role in various aspects of human interaction, in both personal and business relationships. The following
Often labeled as a negative habit, procrastination is a more complex phenomenon than it appears. Dr. Joseph Ferrari, a leading researcher in this field, offers
For leaders of small to mid-size businesses, our strategic planning services revolve around an iterative, practical approach, distinct from conventional methods. Traditional strategic planning is
Enhance Communication and Understanding: Increase time spent with positive, energetic people; decrease time with complainers. Focus on delivering value that is genuinely desired by others.
To be successful, strategic planning must be open-minded and iterative, performed continuously rather than as a static snapshot. This ongoing process allows businesses to adapt
Extracting New Levels of Value from two Powerful Productivity Tools Well-planned task prioritization can dramatically enhance your productivity and reduce your stress. This guide aims
The McKinsey 9-Box Matrix (9-Box Matrix), is a tool commonly used in strategic planning to assess the performance of different business units or product lines
Planning Your SWOT Analysis The success of a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis hinges significantly on careful planning and effective delivery. This strategic planning
The evolution of SWOT analysis since the 1960s highlights its significant role in strategic planning for businesses. Originally designed as a universal framework for assessing
Understanding the Essence of “Tone at the Top” “Tone at the top” refers to the ethical climate and culture in a company, shaped by its
In today’s rapidly evolving world, there’s an increasing need for a more intuitive approach to strategic planning. The more intuitive approach must go beyond traditional
Collaboration involves people working together to create value. Every collaborator stands to benefit; the more you invest in collaboration, the richer your rewards. Typically, the
“To be authentic is literally to be your own author, to discover your own native energies and desires, and then to find your own way
Starting a new venture or innovating within an existing one can be a daunting endeavor. A key strategy that has gained momentum in the world
A Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) can be viewed as the sunlight that brings clarity to our thinking by piercing through the confusing and troubling situations
Self-discipline is a trait most of us wish we had more of. But what exactly is self-discipline? How can we nurture it in our lives?
A Definition of Integrity Integrity is a word that gets thrown around often, but what does it really mean? After thinking about integrity, reading books
Building a Positive Community, for Success The essence of any successful venture—be it personal growth, business expansion, or social change—lies in the strength of community.
Scope creep happens when a project’s requirements change. This can be done when original project requirements aren’t possible but most of the time it’s indecision
The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought about transformative changes in various sectors, and education is no exception. From adaptive learning systems that offer
The road to business success brings a complex mix of decisions, interpersonal relationships, and personal development. Two significant frameworks that guide individuals and organizations towards
Collaboration is not just yesterday’s news; it is the timeless engine that powers unprecedented business breakthroughs. Since Benjamin Franklin’s Junto Club that transformed 18th-century civic
Critical Energy Crossroads…facing complexities with collaboration Ontario’s energy sector now faces a maze of critical crossroads, with signposts shifting. The navigation complexities at these crossroads
Knowledge isn’t just power; it’s the tool that enables us to deal with the complexities of life, improve our skills, and make better informed decisions.
We live in a world where there is a wide diversity of opinions and perspectives. Each person we meet holds a unique set of beliefs,
When I think about the interplay between desire, transaction, and exchange of value in both the tangible and intangible realms, I can’t help but feel
In today’s globalized world, business leaders face a complex and continuously evolving landscape marked by a myriad of global challenges. These include uncertainties stemming from
Canada, with its rich natural resources and commitment to environmental sustainability, possesses a vibrant ecosystem of organizations and activities that shape its policy and public
For many successful small to mid-size businesses in Canada, there is an evident trend toward carefully considering both societal and environmental factors when making energy
I’ve recently had several sensitive conversations with business leaders about the often-blurred line between “veneer” and “real” leadership virtue. Our discussions have reconfirmed my belief
The crux of any business lies in three fundamental aspects: People, Processes, and Situations. Processes can be defined as sequences of tasks undertaken by people
In navigating life’s paths, we often face the decision-making forks that force us to choose between taking immediate action or taking the time to contemplate
The principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) provide a framework for integrating sustainability and responsible business practices into an organization’s operations. While there is
A software project manager and a software product manager are both important roles in the software development industry, but they have distinct focuses and responsibilities.
Patrick Lencioni, an esteemed author and management consultant, has outlined key recommendations for building effective teams in his book ‘The Five Dysfunctions of a Team’
Self-confidence is a fundamental attribute that profoundly impacts our lives, influencing our relationships, accomplishments, and overall well-being. It is not a fixed trait but rather
Being focused and organized can have a profound impact on your productivity and effectiveness in all areas of life. By developing the right mindset and
Promoting Informed Energy Citizenship in Ontario Ontario’s energy future is at a tipping point. How we collectively navigate our current energy challenges will fundamentally shape
When Distributed Energy Resources (DER) are in effect, electricity consumers may require various support services to ensure seamless integration and optimal utilization of these resources.
Symptoms of Software Project Failure There are several reasons why people may have trouble completing software projects. Here are some common factors that can contribute
Yes, again that word – “Governance”. AI governance is a critical aspect that must be addressed due to the inherent pros and cons, rewards, and
Software projects can be completed on time and without surprises when requirements are clearly communicated ‘up front’, the more detail, the better. Creating software project
Stepping into the Fast-Paced World of Technology: A Business Perspective In an era where technology is developing at an astonishing pace, it is not surprising
Re-evaluating Our Problem-Solving Approaches Question the Processes, Understand the Situations, and Preserve the People When confronted with problems, it’s vital to remember three fundamental aspects
Many people talk about the flawed information provided by AI “language apps”. It is true, AI apps do provide flawed information. Also, some AI apps
Every day, organizations generate an overwhelming amount of data. The sheer volume can be daunting, but hidden within this data are insights and opportunities that
A bit about Gallup I’ve been a fan of Gallup’s StrengthsFinder [now CliftonStrengths] for over 20 years. No questions or surprise – Learner is my
We named our company, Waterloo Intuition & Technology Corporation Some People Believe… “Gut Feel” is when you have a strong feeling that isn’t backed by
A Brief History of AI The following timeline highlights the contributions of just a few key players, but the field of AI is vast, and
Q: Why did Al Gore create algorithms? A: There seems to be some confusion in your question. Al Gore, the former Vice President of the
Building on our previous article on library selection, we continue to explore the critical decision developers face when choosing between private-custom software and open-source software
Ten Years ago, in 2013, I wrote the following blog about creativity. Here’s a thought about creativity vis-à-vis right and wrong: creativity is not about
I decided to let AI be the judge. For well over a decade, I have talked about [argued] the need for people to be comfortable
Understanding Attitude Attitude can be defined as an individual’s mental disposition toward a particular situation, object, or person. Our attitudes influence how we perceive and
I’ve been listening to Roger Dawson’s vintage audio course on negotiating. And I’ve been evaluating AI effectiveness. Putting those two together, I used AI to
Do you worry about staffing, supply chain, or cyber-threat problems? I ask this question because, at last month’s Centre for Family Business event, many business
In today’s increasingly digital world, organizations rely heavily on information technology (IT) and information systems (IS) to drive innovation, efficiency, and growth. Though often used
Alvin Toffler’s ground-breaking work, “Future Shock,” highlighted the potential consequences of rapid technological and societal change. Toffler was incredibly prescient in his analysis, predicting the
Small to Mid-Size Businesses are the Backbone of Our Economy Small to mid-size businesses (SMEs) in Canada are the backbone of the economy, and they
In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the way businesses view technology. What used to be seen as a tool to support
Introduction: Assessing the maturity of a business is essential in understanding its current state and making informed decisions about future growth. The maturity of a
First, what is Custom Software? Custom software, also known as bespoke software or tailor-made software, is software that is developed specifically for a particular business
Employee disengagement can be a significant problem for organizations as it can lead to reduced productivity, lower job satisfaction, and increased turnover. However, there are
Introduction The article “Accountability in Cybersecurity: Save Money, Reduce Cyber Risk” captures BlackBerry’s recommendation on Accountability and Cybersecurity. Based on our conversations with local business
Over the years, leaders of small businesses have expressed frustrations with their companies’ mediocre performance with RFPs. As examples, leaders’ complaints about RFP business have
Defining Intellectual Property The seeds of intellectual property begin as ideas in human beings’ minds. These ideas can lead to inventions – new things –
To some degree, all business leaders “plan the work and work the plan”. (Napoleon Hill first wrote this admonition/motto in “Think and Grow Rich”, 1937)
Responding to a SME leader’s question Thank you for asking that question. SME business leaders are struggling with cyber-insurance decisions. Often, SME business leaders seek
Client’s Challenging Situation: A major Canadian oil & gas producer, headquartered in Alberta, experienced high turnover of its natural gas sales and marketing staff in
Client’s Challenging Situation: A family business was taking steps toward succession planning and business growth. They wanted to hold a special, invigorating strategic planning session.
Client’s Challenging Situation: A local manufacturing company, nearing the end of its “start-up stage”, engaged us to assist them to prepare their business to either
Client’s Challenging Situation: A family-business client wanted to have its corporate Values displayed in its lobby. Since they had not discussed Values for many years,
Client’s Challenging Situation: Most businesses have tremendous potential, yet many are unable to make decisions and adjustments to transform that potential into business and prosperity
Client’s Challenging Situation: Companies that thrive and survive in business of more than 100 years are special. They bring legacies of success and they have
To compete, retailers must reimagine their processes. The ability to build custom products, share design ideas, and interact with your staff will turn into customers. Forward-thinking businesses who can develop virtual solutions to new physical restrictions will survive, and those who can astonish customers online will thrive!
Properly built customized software performs near perfection, is scalable, and can be updated and enhanced with the addition of new features … adding quantifiable value to the business that owns it.
At Waterloo Cyber, we are focused on creating simple habits that do not cost much money and increase your organization’s cybersecurity. Cybersecurity has a chance to excel when it is embraced by business leaders, who lead by example. They lead with good habits, including planned communication of cybersecurity messages that will be shared throughout their organization.
People come to NeuStyle when they are struggling with software projects and experiencing sticky problems. The best first step when we assist people who are having problems with software projects is performing an assessment of the project. We need to understand the overall goals, the tools and techniques, and the current state of problems.
IT Processes can make or break your business. A partner who can build simple, complicated, and complex processes is worth their weight in gold.
As cyber risks escalate, small business leaders need to find workable processes for dealing with their cybersecurity risks.