Power of great questions
You’ve most likely heard the story about the executive ranting and raving at a meeting about why his company’s scientifically engineered dog food is not selling as projected. Other executives speculate about far-flung reasons until one young salesperson in the back asks, “Um, sir, do dogs like it?”
That is the power of great questions. They make brainstorming more productive. They set the stage of constructive debate. They inspire.
- Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.
- To be or not to be? That is the _____.
Our New Year’s resolution for 2004 is to ask better questions.
According to creativity expert and author Michael Michalko, the key to better questions is transforming them into a challenge using the phrase “in what ways can we…”
How can we increase sales? might become In what ways can we reward our best customers and increase their business? Instead of How do we improve employee morale?, you might use In what ways can we motivate employees during stressful peak periods?
The CEO of Winter Garden Salads most likely used a similar train of thought when he decided to give employees a $50 bonus before the holiday rush. The change in philosophy led to a 50 percent increase in productivity.
In what ways can you use the power of questions to improve your business in 2004?
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