Tip #449: 4 Tips for Improving Your Decision Making Process

    
Efficient AND effective decision making differentiates industry leaders from the status quo. Not only that, good decision-making skills are critical for any leader. Without them, your employees will waste their time; therefore, their productivity will drop.

Proactive decision making skills affect all aspects of your business.

In business, as in life, you need to have a decision even if you have a limited amount of information.  So how can you make better decisions?   To help you and your staff, we have listed below a number of proven tips. 
  Improve Your Decision Making Skills With These Four Tips.

Tip #1: Find The Facts - Before you can make a good business decision, you need to gather as much information as possible - the key is to remain objective.  Additionally, fact-finding will help you analyze a problem and uncover any underlying issues as well as possible short and long term solutions. Determine and execute the most efficient way to collect and analyze any data that can help you.

Tip #2: Brainstorm Solutions As A Group (And Establish A Defined Deadline) - As you review the pros and cons of each of your options, make sure you do it as a group - with a deadline. This will allow you to stay focused and maintain efficiency. Consolidate your information onto a chart/spreadsheet. It also helps to have at least one associate assisting with your analysis. While the decision is ultimately yours, others can provide insight and/or pros and cons that you may not have noticed.

Tip #3: Evaluate Results - Once you have decided upon a decision and implementation schedule, you need to analyze how you have done. Do not be afraid to make adjustments or take notes for future decisions.

Tip #4: Remain Consistent - As you tackle the decision making process, keep in mind your consistency with the following:
 

• Remain objective in your analysis.
• Manage your stress and stress of others.
• Stay focused on what the options are - both short and long term. 

  
Executive Summary: While there are a myriad of ways to decision making processes, you cannot overlook this one key element: Work on problem solving as a group.  Although the ultimate decision will be yours, an organization cannot move forward or remain innovative without decisive decision makers.  By taking action and carefully streamlining your decision making process, you will improve the organization by just making a decision.  

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