Day 3 of ASSAP® 2010 - Workshop B

Thursday 22 April 2010, 9.00am to 5.00pm

Think Smart, Work Smarter

Essential problem-solving and decision-making tools to help you think independently and make smart choices

with Tremaine Du Preez

Leadership coach and management trainer

Every day we are faced with decisions to make and problems to solve. Information overload, short time frames and past failures can often make even simple decisions daunting.

Do you lack confidence in your decision-making ability? Do you feel anxious when faced with a tough decision, or overwhelmed by lots of alternatives? Do you wish there was a magic formula for getting decisions right? If so, this workshop is for you.

In this practical, interactive workshop, Tremaine du Preez will help you explore the tools and techniques of effective decision-making. You will take a look at the common mistakes we often make when faced with tough decisions or problems, and learn how to identify these in yourself and others.

Tremaine will help you discover the secrets of thoroughly evaluating alternatives and opportunities. You'll learn to spot potential problems and find the devils in the details, and you'll use a visual model to understand and simplify tricky problems.

As you explore decision-making processes that help you make the smart choice every time, you will gain confidence and enhance efficiency. This comprehensive workshop will show you how to use proven problem-solving and decision-making strategies to analyse alternatives, get to the heart of any problem, and tackle tough decisions. You'll impress your bosses, colleagues and clients, and become invaluable to your organisation.

Learn how to think smart and work smarter in this practical, one-day workshop.

Workshop Outline

Why effective decision making is vital for organisational and
personal success

• Key benefits of making good decisions for you and your organisation
• How to tell the difference between a good and a bad decision
• Decision-making tools that help you make smart choices
• Do you use all your tools? Try this fun quiz to find out
• How past successes or failures affect our decision-making ability

Thinking independently

• The value of experience; when it counts and when it doesn't
• The role of emotions in decision-making
• The 'step back' skill to help you harness objectivity
• Mental mistakes that everyone makes, and 5 ways of avoiding them

Evaluating alternatives

• Reasons why a new idea often challenges us
• Powerful questions that help you find the devils in the details that lead to bad decisions
• 6 key points of view for looking at decisions
• The Disney Decision Strategy for thinking critically and creatively
• A useful checklist for evaluating your final decision and enhancing confidence

Solving problems in teams

• How teams that work make great decisions
• The benefits and dangers of group decision-making
• The stepladder technique for making better group decisions and encouraging participation
• The top 5 tools that will allow you to express your ideas more confidently