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I recently listened to a Harvard Business Review podcast interview with Muhtar Kent the CEO of Coca-Cola.

Now, I have mixed feelings about the value to our society of the products that they produce. However this is not the forum for that discussion.

What did fascinate me was the insight that an organisation the size of Coca-Cola recognises that inside the company is not always the best place for embryonic ideas to flourish. To counter this the company has “incubation projects” outside the company.

This says some good things about Coca-Cola. Firstly, that it acknowledges the need for innovation, and secondly that innovation needs the right environment to thrive. In other words keep it away from the accountants, lawyers, and managers that live quarter-by-quarter.

Harvard Business Review Podcast – Featured Guest: Muhtar Kent, CEO of Coca-Cola

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I have to admit it, I am a fan if high tech and innovative design. BUT – don’t you just love a low tech low cost solution?

The image below shows an empty cash register tray and a very simple sign saying “No Cash Here”.

Forget the fancy motion detectors, wireless video recorders, RFID keyless entry. How about showing that there is nothing of value to steal.

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At the time of writing this post this simple 3 step Problem Statement Template published in October 2008 has now been downloaded over 20,000 times.

It’s been used by students looking for an example of a Problem Statement for their studies. It’s been used for simple problem solving, and for big questions like:

• effects of minimum wage on the employment.
• NGOs, government, bilateral agencies working for rural development in Cambodia.
• comparative analysis of contract marketing and contract farming.

So if you’re struggling with a problem, try downloading this template and see if it helps you too.

Look – I know it’s hard studying, and I’ve struggled with it too. It might be worth taking a look at this study aid and see what you think, it’s helped other students.

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