The Focused Solution™ is a thinking format and organized way to brainstorm and identify options, resources and strategies which seemed unclear prior to completing the exercise.  Following the sequence of steps is very important to identifying all potential bottlenecks and problems.

Step 1: Establish the Goal or Objective

The very first step in The Focused Solution™ is to clearly identify the larger goal or objective. Regardless of how large or small the objective, every problem or question encountered is usually in support of a larger task.

For example, if a new internal Client Service Assistant (CSA) gets stuck and asks their Administrative Manager how to record a phone call and how to handle people requesting information about our company, it would be helpful to know the overall objective they are trying to achieve.

Step 2: Clearly Communicate The End Result

In some cases the end result is clear to the individual working through The Focused Solution™, and at other times, they are unclear on this point and may need some clarification later.

In contemplating the end result of accomplishing some goals or objectives, it may stimulate thought to encourage Deliverables Team Members to consider:

• What are one or two words which describe what you will think and how you will feel once the goal is accomplished.

Steps 3 & 4: Note Today's Date And The Target Completion Date

To assist the administrative support person submitting this to you for coaching and "brainstorming" solutions and strategies, you might ask questions such as:

• How often does it normally take your team to complete an income tax projection?
• You are giving your team from October 1 to November 30 to achieve the goal.  Does your team believe that is sufficient time to complete an income tax projection for our entire community of clients?
  

Step 5: List All Bottlenecks, Road-Blocks and Potential Issues

For some of issues, you will notice the ink will barely be dry before possible solutions or strategies begin to occur to you.  The key to ensuring The Focused Solution™ will be a powerful and effective tool is to fight the urge to list any possible solutions until all of the bottlenecks, road-blocks and problems achieving the goal have been listed and completely exhausted from your mind.

Before proceeding to the next step, however, one thought to ponder (or coach the individual to consider) is this:

• If a sensible solution, option, or strategy were to be created for every bottleneck listed, how confident are you that the goal would be accomplished? 

Step 6: List Every Strategy, Option and Solution You Can Think Of For Every Road-Block Listed

Even if no strategies come to mind when you arrive at this step, it is important that you attempt Step 6 before seeking help.  This step is known as the resourcefulness step.

While the Trusted Advisor's role includes supporting Deliverables Team Members, they (and the Administrative Manager) are quite busy. Deliverables Team Members who are resourceful will allow them to focus more time and energy on activities geared towards serving Ideal Clients or acquiring more of them.

Brainstorming every strategy in these six steps will help build a “smooth-running” system that lives up to the Trusted Advisor standards.

Login to your Module 8 account to access more details on this process and to download The Focused Solution™ Template.