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Problem solving 101
First published 2009 · 128 pages
A delightfully simple, visually engaging toolkit that makes untangling complex problems feel like child's play.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like sitting down with a brilliant, endlessly patient tutor who knows exactly how to make the complicated seem obvious. Originally penned for children, its brisk pace and playful illustrations strip away the intimidating jargon of corporate strategy, replacing it with a sunlit, optimistic clarity. The prose is conversational and relentlessly practical, guiding you through relatable, low-stakes scenarios that secretly teach elite consulting frameworks. It is a deeply encouraging experience, transforming the dread of decision-making into a fun, manageable puzzle. Perfect for visual learners, overwhelmed professionals, or anyone who appreciates a pragmatic, jargon-free approach to navigating life's roadblocks, this little guide leaves you feeling uniquely empowered and ready to act.
- Mood
- lighthearted
- optimistic
- clarifying
- breezy
- Tone
- accessible
- encouraging
- playful
- pragmatic
- earnest
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- critical thinking · demystifying complexity · practical empowerment · overcoming obstacles
- The writing
- Clear, conversational, and stripped of jargon, relying heavily on simple analogies and visual aids.
- The arc
- Moves from feeling overwhelmed by complex challenges to feeling equipped, capable, and eager to tackle them.
- Who it's for
- Anyone from middle schoolers to mid-career managers looking for a friendly, no-nonsense framework to untangle life's messy decisions.
About the book
The fun and simple problem-solving guide that took Japan by stormKen Watanabe originally wrote Problem Solving 101 for Japanese schoolchildren. His goal was to help shift the focus in Japanese education from memorization to critical thinking, by adapting some of the techniques he had learned as an elite McKinsey consultant.He was amazed to discover that adults were hungry for his fun and easy guide to problem solving and decision making. The book became a surprise Japanese bestseller, with more than 370,000 in print after six months. Now American businesspeople can also use it to master some powerful skills.Watanabe uses sample scenarios to illustrate his techniques, which include logic trees and matrixes. A rock band figures out how to drive up concert attendance. An aspiring animator budgets for a new computer purchase. Students decide which high school they will attend.Illustrated with diagrams and quirky drawings, the book is simple enough for a middleschooler to understand but sophisticated enough for business leaders to apply to their most challenging problems.
Description from Open Library.
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