Strategy 4: Very Large Group? Solve Problems the Way You Play the Accordion

Overview

You can use the ten-step process in a wide range of group sizes and in a variety of settings: as two entrepreneurs deciding how to start their business around the kitchen table, as 50 people solving a production problem on the factory floor, or as 300 people meeting in a crowded auditorium with thousands of people watching on TV. The sky's the limit.

This strategy focuses on how to work with large groups and the simple measures you can take to scale the ten-step process to accommodate numerous people with diverse interests. Large groups offer a wellspring of energy and talent to resolve tough issues and get results, so don't be scared off. It's definitely possible to involve large numbers of people in decision making and get excellent and efficient results.

Two elements are critical:

• Having a working group serve on behalf of the large group

• Employing activities that everyone can do at the same time (parallel processing, as they say in the tech world)