The ability to solve problems is a skill we all use to. Whether it’s in our day-to-day lives, at work or in academic situations, we find solutions in order to overcome obstacles. Problem solving is a key skill as it shows that you are able to cope well under pressure, think creatively and independently tackle challenges. It can be intimidating for some, however when broken down it isn’t daunting.

Understand the problem.

Understanding the problem is your first step to tackling it. Once you’ve recognised the obstacles, create a plan with actionable and reasonable steps. If you’re finding difficulty moving forward, evaluate what is stopping you. A systematic approach will allow you to account for obstacles which may have been overlooked. Remember, you can always ask for help or opinions from others.

Feeling lost?

If your plan appears useless, it’s easy to feel at a loss. Remember not to bury your head, instead tackle this head on. Sometimes it’s hard to stay focused and motivated, however making your plan flexible allows for problems and surprises along the way.

Creative thinking has generated a plethora of ideas over time. Without this the world we live in wouldn’t be so advanced. Take risks and show initiative. You may think that some of your ideas may not be good enough but don’t write anything off. Remember to research and see how others have overcome scenarios. Drawing inspiration from other ideas can also lead to improving them.

Deciding on the best course of action may take a bit of time. Ask people’s opinions, research and evaluate strengths and weaknesses. Delving into a problem in more detail allows you to discover other potential avenues. Creative thinking is a must in these situations. Try drawing a box and put the problem in the box, then brain storm ideas outside of the box. This creates a visual that you are, (as the well-known saying goes) ‘thinking outside the box’.

Speak volumes.

Creative thinking is more profitable with a range of voices. Employees can share ideas and express concerns through discussions about how to tackle problems. Try group exercises such as doodling, have an anonymous suggestion box or an interactive WhatsApp session. All the while you will be developing team morale and showing you are interested in what the team has to offer. The truth is you can’t schedule creativity but if you can, it is a valuable skill. If an idea, image or piece of writing inspires you, remember to record it, whether it be on your phone, notepad or laptop.

Rewards.

Rewarding employees for coming up with creativity is an option as people are often motivated by incentives. If this isn’t possible, why not do a group brain storm. Not all colleagues will take part but it’s a good way of getting colleagues to interact, share and develop ideas. This may not work for everyone, as some colleagues may feel conscious sharing their ideas in fear they are wrong or seem silly. Depending on your organisation depends on the tactic you feel will work best for you.

Measure your success.

Overcoming problems is something we face every day but it’s how we tackle them that allows us to measure our achievements. There is a solution to every problem and analysing these results can be used to determine what issues need to be addressed in the future. Putting a strategy in place will create a map for people to follow in the future, therefore increasing productivity within the workplace.

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We recently exhibited at the East Midlands Expo and what a great time we had. Like any Expo it provided us with an excellent opportunity to network with local engineering companies across the Midlands.

Attending allowed us to reach a specific audience which our training is extremely relevant to. It also gave us the opportunity to create partnerships, enhance our reputation as a leading training provider and ultimately provide companies with the knowledge on how to upskill their workforce within the engineering sector.

Why were we at the Expo? Let’s just say, we know our facts.

An abundance of engineering companies are predominantly Midlands based. High value engineering constitutes 6% of employees in the region and 19.5% of the working population in the UK, making the sector one of great importance. It has however, been identified that there are skill shortages within the engineering sector, particularly in the following; research and development and problem solving.

According to The IET annual survey, the “skills gap” has worsened for the ninth year in a row. This gap has not gone unnoticed either, having since become an important economic issue and one of the reasons for Britain’s strained productivity. Bridging the skills gap is therefore required in order to equip engineers with the essential skills that will ultimately help businesses plan for a sustainable future, progression and survival.
Managers, take note.

Managerial skills are also a very important factor within the sector. Selecting and developing the correct people to run a business is crucial. Paired with practical knowledge, skills such as leading change, performance management and practical problem solving are very important.
Skills shortage.

With the skills shortage threatening the sustainability of businesses nationwide, it is paramount that businesses upskill their workforce in order to lead effectively. The overwhelming consensus among employers is that too many employees lack skills such as; critical thinking and problem solving, collaborative/teamwork, communication, adaptability/managing multiple priorities, planning/organisation.

It has been reported that Britain only produces around 25,000 engineering graduates per year, however Sir James Dyson has said that he would require 3000 if his company is able to expand further. A shortage of engineers and necessary skills can have a detrimental effect to economic sustainability of engineering employers, with many companies having reportedly said that the shortage could be “a threat to their business in the UK”.

Without transferring and developing knowledge, there is a risk that a huge amount of experience will be lost to the industry within the years to come. The importance of engineering is significant not only to the economy but also with regards to employment. Every new engineering role, creates an additional two jobs within the economy, therefore make it a priority to upskill.

Sources

http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21648003-lack-skilled-workers-and-managers-drags-country-down-mind-gap

http://www.engineeringuk.com/Research/Engineering_UK_Report_2015/

The theme of National Stress Awareness Day focuses on employee wellbeing. According to Live It Well, 1 in 6 British workers are affected by conditions such as anxiety, depression and stress each year. Thi can therefore have a significant effect on the workplace and employees, however there are ways to reduce stress and with the correct knowledge, you can support colleagues through this. 

Manage Your Time

Day-to-day we waste a lot of our time starting tasks and not finishing them, especially when we are stressed. In order to complete tasks effectively, prioritise your work load by writing lists and completing the most important task first. Unimportant tasks can wait, and often they will become non-priority leaving you time to complete other important things. Try not to put off time consuming tasks – avoidance can cause a great deal of stress. Once the unpleasant tasks are ticked off you will feel much more positive.

Healthy Lifestyle

Remember to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and ensure you get a good night’s sleep. Engaging in some form of physical activity can dramatically improve your stress levels. You can also relax in many different ways, whether it’s seeing friends, reading or going to the cinema. Taking your mind fully off work can really help to reduce stress.

Know Your Limitations

We’re all guilty of taking on too much as we don’t want to let people down. We can often think it seems weak to ask for help or to say ‘No’ to things. Instead, learn to delegate effectively and be assertive without upsetting and offending of course.

Don’t Be Negative

Avoid being negative. Instead look for a resolution to a dispute where both parties can achieve a positive outcome. Talk about problems and find out what the root cause is. This is the first step to solving conflict. Invest time in making things right and look for win – win situations.

Relax

Take the necessary time out to relax. Taking just a regular short break at work will allow you to feel much more positive and relaxed. Alongside this, remember to take your annual leave throughout the year. That way you get a regular break. Often we tend to worry about work piling up while we are away, however put your out of office on and let people know you are unavailable.

Positive thinking

If you have identified that something is concerning you, try and see it in a different light. Talk over your problem with somebody before it gets out of proportion. Often someone else’s opinion and advice will help you to see things from a less stressful perspective.

Try to avoid...

alcohol, nicotine and caffeine. Short term, they may help, but long term, these are faulty coping mechanisms that will just add to the problem. Caffeine and nicotine are both stimulants – too much and the body reacts to this with the stress response, therefore increasing anxiety. Try to substitute or even reduce the amount you have, this will begin to have a positive effect.