Rowan's Future of Choice

Nothing to report

Just wanted to let you know that no one anywhere in the world has decided anything important for the past several days. Neither has anyone added to our vast database on decision making. We believe the weather is to blame. Not to worry. Things will clear up, storms will pass...you know, that sort of thing. I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, if you are bored, click on this (safe, I believe) fun link.

Using Images to Enhance...Decision-Making

The authors of a book I blogged about on February 18 are interviewed by Dr. Moira Gunn for a new ITConversations. Check it out.

My earlier post is here.
ITConversations download is here.

Jiro Kawakita method

A good write up on a group decision method. Don't get too excited, though. The results usually don't go anywhere--for reasons of lack of accountability and realism, and problems with perceived-versus-actual customer needs.

Still, I love the stickies, or more accurately, 3M Post-It Notes.

Thanks much to Jared M. Spool. at Link

Say yes to one and let the other one ride

Did you ever have to make up your mind?
Pick up on one and leave the other one behind
It's not often easy, and not often kind
Did you ever have to make up your mind?

Did you ever have to finally decide?
Say yes to one and let the other one ride
There's so many changes, and tears you must hide
Did you ever have to finally decide?

Sometimes there's one with deep blue eyes, cute as a bunny
With hair down to here, and plenty of money
And just when you think she's that one in the world
Your heart gets stolen by some mousy little girl
And then you know you better make up your mind
Pick up on one and leave the other one behind
It's not often easy, and not often kind
Did you ever have to make up your mind?

Sometimes you really dig a girl the moment you kiss her
And then you get distracted by her older sister
When in walks her father and takes you in line
And says "Better go home, son, and make up your mind."
Then you bet you'd better finally decide!
And say yes to one and let the other one ride
There's so many changes, and tears you must hide
Did you ever have to finally decide?

Source: Lyrics to Lovin' Spoonful song that hit #2 on the charts in 1966. Spoonful home page

Anchor this

Anchoring or focalism is a term used in psychology to describe the common human tendency to rely too heavily, or "anchor," on one trait or piece of information when making decisions.

During normal decision making, individuals anchor, or overly rely, on specific information or a specific value and then adjust to that value to account for other elements of the circumstance. Usually once the anchor is set, there is a bias toward that value.

Take, for example, a man looking to buy a used car. He overly relies (anchors) on the odometer reading and the year of the car and mentally evaluates the value of that car. He does not consider how well the engine or the transmission is maintained.

Source: Wikipedia. Link

Stories in my head

The blog musings of Seth Godin and Doug Rushkoff are making me think more about my consumer choices. My decision to buy bottled water, for example, largely is based on several factors: price; what I have experienced with the brand in the past; the look of the label; and what stories or memories I can conjure up. Poland Springs water evokes fond memories of childhood visits to clear, cold, mountain streams springing from the mossy rocks. Dasani sounds European and tastes okay, but it has no story for me. Given a choice I’ll take the Maine brand. What does this mean? Am I missing something? Do people with more stories make better decisions, or do stories shield us from what is new and innovative?

Seth’s blog is here.
Doug’s blog is here, or I recommend his outstanding PopTech 2004 presentation, audio here.

The Madness of Individuals

Is it time to get over our old ways?

Harvard Business Review summary of Laurence Prusak's article. Link