Life is all about finding solutions, finding solutions to solve short or long term problems, finding solutions to live flawlessly. But at times, problems requiring solutions might arise near by the moment where a final product, an event or even an essay is due; in that case, what would you do?
It's quite hard to come up with a concrete feasible problem-solving idea if you ONLY have about 30 minutes to pitch your thought. However, as complicated as it might be, there's no way out other than suggesting a couple of ways to breakthrough the problem. That's when RAPID #fastandfurious THINKING is needed, a way in which your brain needs to react in order to avoid any complications; you gotta think fast, act fast, and move fast.
It's quite hard to come up with a concrete feasible problem-solving idea if you ONLY have about 30 minutes to pitch your thought. However, as complicated as it might be, there's no way out other than suggesting a couple of ways to breakthrough the problem. That's when RAPID #fastandfurious THINKING is needed, a way in which your brain needs to react in order to avoid any complications; you gotta think fast, act fast, and move fast.
Over the past weeks BlendZ has been in hands of 4 people (those who were not taking an internship), each one in charge of one of the four sales (4 thursdays in the month of April). With this said, there's been pressure in the people organizing sales, as they've had to contact the volunteers, set-up, and be impeccably ready for our audience. Now here me out, luckily, BlendZ's roles have become somewhat of a functional system. In other words, as directors of our own sections we've been in charge for such a long period of time that we are confident on certain aspects of the business that in case they were to fail, we'd know how to solve them. However, aside from misunderstandings and lack of communication within the team, when working with people such as volunteers who are not strictly related to the business, you can never be 100% sure that there word will stay at heart; that's when problems begin.
It's been twice now, where volunteers have had issues minutes before the sales, and we've gotten no replacements for them, or even BlendZ members who have been absent without prior notice, creating tension within the company leading to rushing before the lunch period. These, caused by both lack of communication and responsibility, has enabled and pressure the team to play against time, finding a formula to replace the absent people in order to continue with an organized --as usual-- sale. Nevertheless, even if we found solutions and there were no complains done by the costumers, we had to assume several consequences as a team; however, it was not only one time when we had to deal with this type of complications, there were many.
It's been twice now, where volunteers have had issues minutes before the sales, and we've gotten no replacements for them, or even BlendZ members who have been absent without prior notice, creating tension within the company leading to rushing before the lunch period. These, caused by both lack of communication and responsibility, has enabled and pressure the team to play against time, finding a formula to replace the absent people in order to continue with an organized --as usual-- sale. Nevertheless, even if we found solutions and there were no complains done by the costumers, we had to assume several consequences as a team; however, it was not only one time when we had to deal with this type of complications, there were many.
1. Even if someone was not in charge of the sale, they had to leave aside their work, and help out with the issues going on. It was certainly unfair as they had to worry for an event that was not under their charge. Yet, as in any other business, you need to be aware that if there is a problem that involves the reputation of your company, you need to play it safe and devote your time for the good of the business even if it was not part of the original plan. |
2. Volunteers who didn't have a shift had to replace those who had a shift but didn't attend, forcing them to work over a lunch period where they hadn't signed up. This affects our image as a company, as it might show the volunteers that behind the scenes we seem to be disorganized, we let know people about sales with short notice, and we are not prepared for emergencies.
3. Even us, as BlendZ members, we had to cover up the position of our volunteers in case one didn't show up, working on a shift that was not even planned, even if we had already participated in past weeks sales. This caused tons of stress within the team as it was tiring to work for someone that had prioritized and compromised to work over lunch.
3. Even us, as BlendZ members, we had to cover up the position of our volunteers in case one didn't show up, working on a shift that was not even planned, even if we had already participated in past weeks sales. This caused tons of stress within the team as it was tiring to work for someone that had prioritized and compromised to work over lunch.
Even though the fact that the behind the sales scenes were not perfect, we've been able to understand the problems that might show up in a business and how you need to be ready for them. When everything seems to be perfect its hard to expect something to happen, therefore you tend to lay back and just trust that the system is going to work. Yet, I've come to understand that having a backup plan for any case scenario is crucial as you are not always aware of things that might happen with some aspects of the company, especially when you work with people and not everything is under your control.