Problem-solving Whiz Gifts

"We're all well aware of the madness, Phipps...where's the method?"

The Businessmen Have to Make Decisions from Many Options

Brian wanted to call the presentation "Synergy". Paula wanted to call it "Cooperation". They could never agree.

boy plugging leak in a barrel with his finger

"Good" "Bad" "Work on it" "Keep working - maybe it's not as bad as you think it is" "Put it to a committee" "Give up" "Make it worse" "Make it better" "Still a bad idea" "Overthink it" "Throw yourself into a pit of wild badgers" "Throw it away" "Call it done" "Sigh."

"We can waste time and look for a solution or...just find a scapegoat?"

"Someday she'll solve the world's problems."

'I solved the problem of dead zones on my cell phone with a personal satellite,'

'Due to cutbacks, he lost his company vehicle, so he has to improvise.'

"Is this a 'GOTCHA' question?"

"Looks like our days at the think tank are numbered."

'I solve so many work problems at home.'

"We only got up to three 'whys' and a 'what the hell'."

Brainstorm in progress.

"OK team, we need innovative solutions and we need 'em fast!"

"Managing a major project in these challenging times requires IMAGINATION, the FIRST thing I'd like you to imagine is that you have a team to help you."

Traffic Management Strategic Group

'This is Martins, the office I was telling you about. She's got a real knack for texting people down from window ledges!'

"Try unplugging it and throwing it out the window."

'So far, sir, we've rejected plans A,B, C, D, E, F, and right now we're evaluating'G'.'

"You bring up an important concern, but I'm looking for a problem that better fits my preconceived solution."

Early Tech Support

"I can't solve for X. I have a fear of the unknown!"

"How on earth do you get this blasted box to open...?"

"Never marry an engineer."

'I was working on developing anti-matter under laboratory conditions, but I couldn't find anything to keep it in.'

'I hear what you're saying, Bert. But in my experience, most complex business problems require more than cookie-cutter solutions!'

'We'll talk later, Ed, but for now we have a quick and dirty solution to your objections.'

'Where you went wrong' Desk.

"Every single day, guys ask you for advice about women, work, sports... Haven't you ever even heard of the law of supply and demand?. . .I'd be glad to steer the downtrodden and the forlorn your way for a mere 82% of the man-to-man-talk fee."

= too complex

'Why not Google it?'

math faculty

You May Bang Your Head Here/You May Talk To Here.

Dept. of Mathematics and Frustration.