Problem Solving For Clients In English – Practical Example
My Top Tips – Problem Solving For Clients In English
Problem solving for clients in English and working in teams in English.
In companies more people are working in international teams and virtual teams. So being able to problem solve for clients in English is a useful skill to develop.
Some client problems just keep coming back in different forms, so how can we get to the root of the problem?
One quick technique for problem solving for clients in English is by the founder of Toyota Sakichi Toyoda, who invented the ‘5 Whys technique’. It is a simple and powerful way of quickly uncovering the root of a problem.
How to use it? Start at the end result, for example your client is unhappy, and then work backwards towards the root cause of the problem, continually asking: “Why?” until the root cause of the problem becomes apparent.
Ask simple, clear and direct questions to get the best results. If the problem is complex use another technique.
Example:
1. Why is our client, DITECH, unhappy?
= Because we did not deliver our services on time.
2. Why were we unable to meet the agreed-upon timeline or schedule for delivery?
= The job took much longer than we thought it would.
3. Why did it take so much longer?
= Because we underestimated the complexity of the job.
4. Why did we underestimate the complexity of the job?
= Because we made a quick estimate of the time needed to complete it, and did not list the individual stages needed to complete the project.
5. Why didn’t we do this?
= Because we were running behind on other projects. We clearly need to review our time estimation and specification procedures.
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Meetings in English intro pack – more useful vocab for team meetings in English –http://www.englishtco.com/en/meetings-in-english-free-intro-pack-150-phrases-in-english/
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I hope this helps you with your professional English and in your professional career, Christopher!
The English Training Company – we help companies and professionals to become Advanced Business English Speakers and make their mark!
