Verizon Wireless’ ubiquitous commercials proudly proclaim It’s The Network™. To be honest, that claim doesn’t really impress us.

What does impress us is Verizon’s decision to become the first U.S. carrier to open its network to other devices. This move is an enormous PR coup over Verizon’s rivals.

Put simply, an open network will eventually allow us as consumers to use any compatible device and software application on the Verizon network. For example, iPhone users, who are currently limited to only AT&T’s network, will likely be able to switch to Verizon’s service.

Verizon wins in many respects. It’s the first to make the announcement, which earns points with investors, analysts, and others following the business. Verizon’s decision is also consumer friendly, which is a true (and surprising) coup for the telecommunications industry.

Verizon’s competitors are sure to follow suit, and that’s a good thing for everyone.

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CIA agents likely confront complex problems on a frequent basis. Finding an effective solution can have significant ramifications on our national security.

The CIA recognized that properly understanding problems was critical to finding the right solution. The organization developed its Phoenix Checklist to help agents apply a thorough, consistent process when confronting a complex problem.

The checklist doesn’t define the problem. It helps users examine the problem’s different parts; determine where to start given available information and resources; and avoid wasting resources on parts of the problem that cannot be solved.

The following are the first 16 questions in the Phoenix Checklist:

• Why is it necessary to solve the problem?
• What benefits will you receive by solving the problem?
• What is the unknown?
• What is it you don’t yet understand?
• What is the information you have?
• What isn’t the problem?
• Is the information sufficient? Or is it insufficient? Or redundant? Or contradictory?
• Should you draw a diagram of the problem? A figure?
• Where are the boundaries of the problem?
• Can you separate the various parts of the problem? Can you write them down? What are the relationships of the parts of the problem?
• What are the constants (things that can’t be changed) of the problem?
• Have you seen the problem before?
• Have you seen this problem in a slightly different form?
• Do you know a related problem?
• Can you think of a familiar problem having the same or a similar unknown?
• Suppose you find a problem related to yours that has already been solved. Can you use it? Can you use its method?

Creativity expert Michael Michalko recommends using the Phoenix Checklist as a starting point of a personal checklist for solving problems specific to your business or role in your company.

The next Atkinson Advisor will discuss using the Phoenix Checklist to create a plan of action.

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Next time you plan a meeting, try bringing your PAL (purpose, agenda, limitations). Your PAL will ensure that people arrive prepared, stay on target, and make decisions that help move the organization forward.

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John Wooden’s accomplishments as a leader are legendary. Wooden coached UCLA for the last 27 years of his career. Here are the statistics:

Years	Seasons	Record (Win %)	NCAA titles
1948-62	15	285-125 (70%)	0
1963-74	12	335-22 (94%)	10

From 1963 to 1974, Wooden’s UCLA teams also completed four undefeated seasons. No other Division I program has more than one.

How did Wooden’s team make the leap from good to record-breaking?

Wooden spent a number of years early in his career developing, experimenting with, and perfecting his Pyramid of Success. It defines 15 key behaviors that Wooden believes (and who would argure?) produce a highly successful team. The application of these behaviors manifested itself in UCLA’s unprecedented success.

The 15 behaviors in Wooden’s Pyramid of Success are:

• Industriousness
• Enthusiasm
• Friendship
• Loyalty
• Cooperation
• Self-control
• Alertness
• Initiative
• Intentness
• Condition
• Skill
• Team spirit
• Poise
• Confidence
• Competitive greatness

Download a copy of the pyramid: http://www.coachjohnwooden.com

Wooden’s website also includes an interactive version of the pyramid with a more detailed explanation of each behavior.

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www.manager-tools.com

Manager Tools is a weekly podcast now on its third year. The founders focus on specific action steps that managers can apply to their job as opposed to theoretical management models. The most recent episode discussed how to assess whether your calendar (i.e. how you spend your time) is truly reflecting your job priorities. Other recent topics included how to deliver a persuasive presentation and how to leave a voicemail. The founders consolidated some excellent content in the Manager Tools Basics section, which includes conducting one-on-one meetings, providing feedback, coaching, etc. You can listen to the podcasts online or download them to your MP3 player.

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The Dip by Seth Godin

Marketing guru Seth Godin is known for turning concepts on their heads. The Dip, his latest book, takes on the old adage that "winners never quit, and quitters never win." Goth makes a compelling case that winners do quit, and quitters do win.

According to Godin, every new project starts out exciting and fun. Then it gets harder and less fun, until it hits a low point —- really hard, and not much fun at all –- he calls "the dip." Godin provides insights for determining whether the dip is a temporary setback, a dead end with no possibility of escape, or a cul-de-sac that will never get better, no matter how hard you try.

Godin’s research reveals that superstars set themselves apart from others by their ability to escape dead ends quickly, while staying focused and motivated when it really counts.

Godin argues convincingly that winners quit fast, quit often, and quit without guilt until they take on the right dip for the right reasons. Winners realize that the bigger the barrier, the bigger the reward for getting past it.

Losers, on the other hand, fall into two basic traps. Either they fail to stick out the Dip—they get to the moment of truth and then give up—or they never even find the right Dip to conquer.

Seth Godin's official website

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