Business people are often faced with what they believe to be two terrible choices. On the one hand, they might face bankruptcy, and on the other side lurks massive downsizing and selloffs. Both choices would spell doom for the company, and many business owners and managers only see those two terrible options. While not all dual bad choices are that grim, they often do considerable harm to the organization.
Instead of seeing only two options, a business person would be wise to seek other more creative solutions. Having only two selections available on the table creates a false dichotomy that pushes other more viable solutions onto the floor. Instead of solving the problem, the lesser of two very bad outcomes usually makes the situation much worse. It's time to reconsider the idea of choosing the alleged lesser of two evils dilemma and seek a different outcome.
All too often, the business person has already decided the problem is the ultimate disaster, and has given up hope of finding a workable solution. Instead of accepting what is not always inevitable, but only appears that way on the surface, put some serious creative thinking to work for you. Assemble everyone in the organization, and provide the necessary information. Point out that the company needs their help in solving some serious problems. Make creative thinking and problem solving the number one priority.
Be sure to include every person in the company in the creative process. Everyone has something to contribute and great ideas can arrive from the least likely sources. Since the top management has already decided the company has failed, there is nothing to lose by committing all of the resources to finding solutions. Consider every possible option carefully after many brainstorming sesssions. As with all creative thinking events, all ideas are considered and none are judged or discarded until much later in the process.
Ideas are the currency that will save the business. As multiple solutions to the problems are brought forward, the original two bads are no longer all that important. In fact, they may even be discarded entirely. As new possibilities arise, and are given the go ahead, the worst that can happen is company failure. Since that was one of the previous dual options, there is nothing to lose and everything to gain from the process. The good thing about multiple options, is that worst case scenario becomes the least likely outcome.
As several plans are formulated, renewed committment from the staff and everyone connected to the organization arises. The staff developed the ideas and take ownership of them, and become dedicated to their successful application and outcomes.
Be sure to reward your staff members well for their efforts at saving the company. Without their help, the towel would have been thrown in to defeat long ago.
Don't think in terms of only the lesser of two evils. There are multiple solutions to any problem. They just need to be discovered.
