Business Quote by Steve Epner
““Since starting my consulting firm in 1976, I have learned that there are two key questions that can unlock the knowledge that is waiting to be discovered: • What is the dumbest thing your company is doing? • What is the most difficult or most time-consuming thing your company is doing? Once you open these doors, the company will be able to take advantage of amazing insights and great ideas. As I pointed out in section I, line people know the””
About This Quote
The quote states that asking about the dumbest and most difficult things a company does can unlock valuable insights and ideas.
In simple terms: Ask what's dumb and what's hard to find insights.
Key Takeaway
Identify and address the biggest problems for insights.
Themes
business
consulting
problem-solving
insight
improvement
Mood
practical
analytical
Type
business
advice
When to use this quote
- business strategy meetings
- consulting engagements
- process improvement
Key Concepts
organizational learning
root cause analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- What is the dumbest thing your company does?
- What is the most time-consuming task?
A Different Perspective
The questions may overlook complex systemic issues.
![“[S]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once, for example, when I was just starting out in the food business, I was hired by the caper people to develop a lot of recipes using capers, and it was weeks of…” quote by Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d79/nora-ephron-1217_business_s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-th_980.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)