“I am stuck on Band Aid, cause Band Aid’s stuck on me.”
Do you remember this catchy jingle? It was written to advertise the Band Aid brand of adhesive bandages, and their marketing strategy has been very effective. How many people do you know who ask for a “Band Aid” when they need an adhesive bandage?
The only problem with this jingle is that it also seems to be the theme song of many people when it comes to productivity. Too many people are stuck on the “Band Aid method” of problem solving.
It reminds me of a story of a man who placed a Band Aid over the “Check Engine” light on the dashboard of his car. It hid the annoying light, and he didn’t have to worry about that engine again – until one night when his car stopped on a dark country road ten miles from the nearest house. The Band Aid masked the problem temporarily, but didn’t actually solve anything.
Are you a Quick Fix, Band Aid problem solver? Or do you take a more practical approach?
The Band Aid approach certainly is attractive because it’s so easy. A quick fix may be very easy to justify, but it is not always as expedient as it seems. You may save yourself a few hours or a few dollars now, but the longer term cost could be exponentially higher.
Always consider broader, more extensive solutions before settling on the Band Aid.
Sometimes, a Band Aid really is all that is needed. A quick and simple fix may be the best fix. You wouldn’t put a tourniquet on a paper cut. However, it’s always best to circle back around later to make sure the Band Aid approach is still working.
Whether you choose the easy fix or the tougher long-term solution, it’s important to follow through and follow up. Always assess the level of success, or failure, of your actions. Continue to learn from your successes and mistakes.
Don’t get stuck on Band Aid solutions!
How have you tried a Band Aid or Quick Fix in the past? What lessons did you learn?
Tim,
Lessons of quick fixes…whoa… 2 come to mind immediately for me:
1) Hiring: Filling a seat vs. hiring the right person. Very expensive!
2) Identify a quality problem in a product or process and rather than fix the problem, just add an inspection. While this may be a short term prevention measure, it is also a costly overall measure. Our health care industry is FULL of this right now, not to mention the manufacturing industry.
So, while I want to SAY I am a problem solver, rather than band-aid-er, so to speak, I know I am not always there 100% AND, I know I don’t like the feeling of putting band-aid measures in place. It is kind of like peeing in a wetsuit…It may feel pretty good when you do it and more efficient, BUT it is going to chafe later!!! ;0)
Have a great day, Tim.
P.S. – I will now have that stupid band-aid JINGLE stuck in my head all day long now…Do you remember the Oscar Mayer B-o-l-o-g-n-a commercial when you were a kid? I just wanted to return the favor!!!!
Tim,
Lessons of quick fixes…whoa… 2 come to mind immediately for me:
1) Hiring: Filling a seat vs. hiring the right person. Very expensive!
2) Identify a quality problem in a product or process and rather than fix the problem, just add an inspection. While this may be a short term prevention measure, it is also a costly overall measure. Our health care industry is FULL of this right now, not to mention the manufacturing industry.
So, while I want to SAY I am a problem solver, rather than band-aid-er, so to speak, I know I am not always there 100% AND, I know I don’t like the feeling of putting band-aid measures in place. It is kind of like peeing in a wetsuit…It may feel pretty good when you do it and more efficient, BUT it is going to chafe later!!! ;0)
Have a great day, Tim.
P.S. – I will now have that stupid band-aid JINGLE stuck in my head all day long now…Do you remember the Oscar Mayer B-o-l-o-g-n-a commercial when you were a kid? I just wanted to return the favor!!!!
Ok John, so now I’ll be singing about my Bologna’s first name… thanks for the return favor.
You made me think about that hiring issue… I believe I will write a blog about recruiting.
Ok John, so now I’ll be singing about my Bologna’s first name… thanks for the return favor.
You made me think about that hiring issue… I believe I will write a blog about recruiting.
As they say at Chick-fil-a, “my pleasure”.
As they say at Chick-fil-a, “my pleasure”.
Absolutely John!
Absolutely John!