Problem solving at work

Name: Problem solving at work
Rating: 4.1 (16 reviews)

Become a more versatile problem-solver. Look at problems in new ways and generate practical solutions.

(16 ratings)

136 students

Created by Alan Barker, Clare Lynch

Last updated 6/2020

English

English [Auto]

What you'll learn

Learn a complete method for solving problems at work
Identify your preferred styles of solving problems
Take ownership of problems more confidently
Develop a more versatile approach to problem-solving
Transform your perception of problems
Solve problems more logically and more creatively
Generate practical solutions to real problems

Requirements

A willingness to reflect on your own abilities and explore new skills
Examples of real problems that you could use to exercise the tools and techniques you'll discover

Description

Problem solving at work provides a systematic method for thinking about problems and transforming them into effective solutions.

Whether you're a manager or a team leader, a business owner or a volunteer, your work will involve solving problems. It's not always easy. Problems come in many different forms. They keep coming, and we sometimes have no time to solve one problem before the next arrives. The result? A never-ending cycle of 'firefighting', which makes it hard to find any real solutions.

Take time out to reflect on your problem-solving skills and develop them. What does it mean to have a problem? What does it mean to take ownership of a problem? How can we make sense of the problems we face? How can we look at them in different ways? And how can we transform a problem into a workable solution?

Discover the answers to these questions on this enjoyable, stimulating course.

What you'll learn

What does it mean to have a problem? You'll understand that real-life problems, unlike problems in text books or examinations, can be solved only by doing something. Taking the right action to escape the stuckness of a problem means understanding the problem and reviewing the actions available to you. You'll discover the skills that help you to understand solve problems as well as the different ways in which you can take ownership of a problem. You'll learn ways of defining a problem - and, crucially, transforming your perception of it so that you can find new and creative ways of solving it. You'll learn a wide range of tools and techniques that you can use alone or with your team. And you'll discover a fully worked out method for implementing your solution with your stakeholders.

Course resources

Problem solving at work gives you a range of resources to help you develop your skills, including:

a self-assessment questionnaire that you can use for yourself and with your team
a downloadable course workbook featuring exercises, examples, summaries of the key points in each lecture and background information about the concepts and ideas behind the course
links to useful articles and other online sources to help you develop your skills further

Is this the right course for you?

Problem solving at work has been designed for anyone who wants to improve their skills quickly. It focuses on problems at work but is also useful to develop problem-solving as a life skill.

Who this course is for:

Anybody with managerial or team leadership responsibilities
Newly promoted managers looking to develop their skills
Graduate recruits seeking to develop their competitiveness in the job market
Volunteers and support staff in not-for-profits
Carers, parents and homeworkers

Featured review

Fahim T.

88 courses

21 reviews

2 years ago

It explains the problems very clearly and to the point. It helps one to understand the problem its gravity and plan of action to resolve it. What I am waiting for now is the next series of his lectures to follow.

Alan Barker

A University of Cambridge tutor and published author

4.2 Instructor Rating
83 Reviews
655 Students
2 Courses

A University of Cambridge tutor and professional writer

Alan Barker is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and has two decades of experience as a tutor, trainer and coach.

As Managing Director of Kairos Training Limited, Alan has over twenty years’ experience in training communication skills, creativity, problem-solving and innovation.

In the finance sector, he has partnered with ABN Amro, BBVA, BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Fortis, HSBC, Merril Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and RBS.

Alan is an Affiliate of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, for whom he runs a Copywriting Masterclass. He is also a member of the European Speechwriter Network, running regular training courses and hosting their conferences. He has delivered speechwriting programmes for the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, the International Criminal Court as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. He works regularly for the London Assembly and for other local authorities in the UK.

Alan has published over 25 books and ebooks, including Improve Your Communication Skills (Kogan Page), How to Solve Almost Any Problem (Pearson), and Writing at Work (Spiro Press). He has also authored How to Write an Essay, Creativity at Work and Understanding Innovation (all published by Bookboon).

Alan has worked in countries on every continent except (so far) Australia and Antarctica.

Alan is a fantastic tutor. His courses are not only very useful and helpful but enjoyable and inspirational too. Thank you!

Manager, ICAEW

The trainer was an expert who did not just deliver the course material. Absolutely fascinating and inspiring.

Business Manager, ING

Good, helpful and truthful.

Manager, PWC

Take a look at some of the clients in the finance sector who've benefited from Alan's expertise:

ABN Amro

BBVA

BNP Paribas

Council of Mortgage Lenders

Credit Suisse

Deutsche Bank (Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Singapore)

Fortis

HSBC (Europe, Asia, South America)

ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales)

ING

Merril Lynch

Morgan Stanley

Prudential (Hong Kong)

RBS

Regents Business School

Schroders

UK Finance

Clients in other sectors include:

Age UK

Barts Charity

British Science Association

The British Museum

Chartered Institute of Marketingg

Chartered Insurance Institute

Clifford Chance

Directory of Social Change

East Sussex County Council

Exterion Media

Gloucester City Council

Gloucester County Council

Greater London Authority

Imperial War Museums

The International Criminal Court (The Hague)

Indigo Pearl

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (Jeddah)

Korea National Diplomatic Academy (Seoul)

Leoron Professional Development Institute (Dubai, Riyadh. Jeddah)

LKS Training (Khartoum)

Middlesex University

The Natural History Museum

North Somerset District Council

St Mungo’s

SEDCO (Jeddah)

Siemens (Riyadh)

South Downs National Park

SW Councils

The Victoria and Albert Museum

Westminster City Council

World Wildlife Fund UK

Clare Lynch

Cambridge University writing tutor & professional copywriter

4.5 Instructor Rating
72,343 Reviews
212,190 Students
16 Courses

A University of Cambridge tutor. A professional copywriter.

WINNER OF UDEMY'S AWARD 2019 FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

University of Cambridge tutor Dr Clare Lynch is an expert writer with decades of experience.

Clare hasn’t simply edited the work of other journalists at elite publications, such as The Financial Times. She’s also herself a hugely successful copywriter in her own right.

What's more, in October 2019, Udemy bestowed their Student Success award on Clare for her dedication to her Udemy students.

20+ years of writing experience

In her 20+ year career, Clare has crafted copy from scratch for elite clients in a wide range of fields, including lifestyle, retail, property, tech, pharma, finance and government.

Over the course of that career, Clare has honed her techniques for getting under any reader’s skin – and crafting messages that instantly resonate with the target audience. Techniques she now shares with over 28,000 students on Udemy.

Clare’s experience as a writer embraces a huge range of writing formats and styles – including case studies, white papers, feature articles, direct mail campaigns, web content, ad copy, video scripts, CEO speeches and brand messaging.

A blogging expert

And as the author of the popular blog Good Copy, Bad Copy, Clare herself has attracted hundreds of thousands of readers to her own writing. Good Copy, Bad Copy has been named on Copyblogger's list of 15 copywriting and content marketing blogs that will make you more money.

An award-winning teacher

What’s more, Clare has a PhD in English Literature and teaches at the University of Cambridge. She’s also a qualified and highly experienced corporate trainer.

So Clare isn’t merely an expert at her craft. She also knows how to communicate her expertise in a way that’s memorable, entertaining and addictively engaging.

That's why, in October 2019, Udemy bestowed their Student Success award on Clare for her dedication to her Udemy students.

“She is an incredible teacher that has a special unique ability of keeping her students minds engaged and hanging on her every word.” - BRAD MACE, UDEMY STUDENT

Take a look at some of the clients who've benefited from Clare's expertise:

Aberdeen Asset Management
Algomi
BNP Paribas
BP
Brunswick PR
Deutsche Bank
European Banking Authority
European Central Bank
The Financial Times
Judge Business School, University of Cambridge
King's College, Cambridge
Language Centre, University of Cambridge
Macquarie
Mavens of London
Microsoft
Misys International Banking Systems Ltd
Ofcom
Prince's Trust
Prudential UK and Europe
Royal Bank of Scotland
Sainsbury's
Schroders
TowerBrook Capital Partners
Tradition (interdealer brokers)
REA Group
UBS