TIPS SHEET ON DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
Taking a different perspective is useful in making business decisions. It’s very easy to just consider courses
of action based on your own thoughts and opinions, but thinking of the same things from the perspective of
others can be helpful.
Here are a few ways you can do this:
1.
Think of the direct opposite of your own idea (for example, lowering a price rather than raising it;
partnering with someone else rather than doing a project on your own; importing a product rather
than producing it). This can help you evaluate things differently.
2.
Imagine being in your customers’ shoes. How might they view what’s on offer? For example –
could they be more concerned with durability than cost; could they find loud music in your store
annoying rather than energising. Different perspectives can help you make the best decisions.
3.
Askother people for their opinions. Perhaps set up a focus group or do a survey. Instead of
assuming your choices are best, check with a range of other people to see what they think. You
might be surprised by some of the answers.
4.
Do some research into similar propositions. Has anyone else tried to do what you’re considering? If
so, what were the results. It can be enlightening to find out that there are benefits or disadvantages
you hadn’t thought about.
5.
Ask a child. Children can have very different views on things. You could be surprised by what they
say.
6.
Cnsider ‘imaginary personal advisors’. I’ve mentioned these before – you just ask your advisors
what they would do. The advisors can be anything or anyone – people you know, people you’ve
seen in films or on TV, characters in books, animals, objects – whatever you choose. Just imagine
each of them in front of you, one at a time, and ask what they would do. Take the first thought that
comes into your mind after asking the question. Again, you might be surprised by the things that
come up.
7.
Imagine a line on the floor. See yourself in the future, at the far end of the line, having made a
decision you’re contemplating. Now walk along the line to the far end and notice how that decision
seems to you when you’re imagining having taken it. This can give you different perspectives and
different feelings about your potential decisions.
8.
Now imagine the same line, and yourself at the end, as in the previous exercise, having made the
decision in the same way. This time, walk slowly along the line towards the far end and stop after
each step – looking to each side and seeing other people there, who give you their opinions about
the decision you’re making. Often this process can throw some light on the steps you’re considering
taking in real life.
Carol Harris
TIPS SHEET ON DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
Taking a different perspective is useful in making business decisions. It’s very easy to just
consider courses of action based on your own thoughts and opinions, but thinking of the
same things from the perspective of others can be helpful.
Here are a few ways you can do this:
1.
Think of the direct opposite of your own idea (for example, lowering a price rather
than raising it; partnering with someone else rather than doing a project on your
own; importing a product rather than producing it). This can help you evaluate
things differently.
2.
Imagine being in your customers’ shoes. How might they view what’s on offer?
For example – could they be more concerned with durability than cost; could they
find loud music in your store annoying rather than energising. Different
perspectives can help you make the best decisions.
3.
Askother people for their opinions. Perhaps set up a focus group or do a survey.
Instead of assuming your choices are best, check with a range of other people to
see what they think. You might be surprised by some of the answers.
4.
Do some research into similar propositions. Has anyone else tried to do what
you’re considering? If so, what were the results. It can be enlightening to find out
that there are benefits or disadvantages you hadn’t thought about.
5.
Ask a child. Children can have very different views on things. You could be
surprised by what they say.
6.
Cnsider ‘imaginary personal advisors’. I’ve mentioned these before – you just ask
your advisors what they would do. The advisors can be anything or anyone –
people you know, people you’ve seen in films or on TV, characters in books,
animals, objects – whatever you choose. Just imagine each of them in front of you,
one at a time, and ask what they would do. Take the first thought that comes into
your mind after asking the question. Again, you might be surprised by the things
that come up.
7.
Imagine a line on the floor. See yourself in the future, at the far end of the line,
having made a decision you’re contemplating. Now walk along the line to the far
end and notice how that decision seems to you when you’re imagining having taken
it. This can give you different perspectives and different feelings about your
potential decisions.
8.
Now imagine the same line, and yourself at the end, as in the previous exercise,
having made the decision in the same way. This time, walk slowly along the line
towards the far end and stop after each step – looking to each side and seeing
other people there, who give you their opinions about the decision you’re making.
Often this process can throw some light on the steps you’re considering taking in
real life.
Carol Harris