Walter Derzko, in search of situational opportunities, disagrees with Steven
Fiore, who wrote:
> Getzels (among others) has investigated what is known as "problem
> finding" -- a concept similar to what you term identifying
> situational opportunities.
Walter takes issue with Steve on the basis that problem finding is quite
different from identifying situational opportunities. Moreover, according
to Walter, problem finding is inward and backward looking, deals with
deviations from agreed-to norms or baselines, was a tool for the passive
and reactive management style prevalent in the '50s and '60s, and gets a
lot more attention that opportunity spotting.
Given the way Walter has defined problem, his remarks make sense. It is
reminiscent of the Kepner-Tregoe definition of a problem as a deviation
from some previously attained standard or acceptable condition. The
response, of course, is to put things back the way they were.
However, you can also define a problem simply as a situation requiring
action and in which the action to take is not apparent. Under this
definition, an opportunity might also qualify as a problem. The utility
of the distinction, then, hinges on the definition used.
That leads me to ask Walter to say again what he means by "situational
opportunity." I know, in general, that an opportunity is a situation
wherein circumstances are a good fit with purpose, that is, the time is
right for action, but I am not clear regarding what Walter means by
"situational opportunity."
Say some more, Walter
--Regards,
Fred Nickols The Distance Consulting Company nickols@worldnet.att.net http://home.att.net/~nickols/distance.htm
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