What are the assumptions?

December 1, 2009 ·  

Question Mark

Whether we are talking politics, business, or life in general ideas are presented, statements are made and often there are underlying assumptions being made.  We need to think about what these assumptions are.

For instance the discussion at the moment about the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) makes the assumption that carbon is the evil greenhouse gas. However this is not universally held and even very authoritative scientists say that the methane may be the real villain. This is not an argument about climate change, rather it is about the assumption that carbon is the evil villain. Now I don’t know who is correct but my point is that assumptions matter. There is much debate about the ETS but the underlying assumption does not seem to be questioned.

Now this is just as applicable in a business context. We could be making decisions about whether a particular strategy or managment idea be implemented but have we considered the underlying assumptions that are implied.

So for instance if you were change the bonus structure (or implement a new bonus scheme) in a business then the assumption is that the financial bonus is the best way to motivate our team to achieve the result. This may be the case but we need to consider whether this correct.

We make assumptions about how customer or employees will behave every day. So in considering a new strategy re-examine the assumptions being made.

So what assumptions are you making in your business?

Photo by laurakgibbs

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One Response to “What are the assumptions?”

  1. Tweets that mention What are the assumptions? | Major Focus Group -- Topsy.com on December 1st, 2009 10:48 am

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Steve Major, Steve Major. Steve Major said: New blog post: What are the assumptions? http://blog.majorfocusgroup.com/business-ideas-tips/what-are-the-assumptions/ [...]

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