Call Toll Free 866.218.0889 l Or...connect with us | 
Brand Simplicity
Home > The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle - and How to Make Decisions
SubscribeThe Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle - and How to Make Decisions
Read (0) / Post Comments | Posted: Saturday, April 5, 2008
You most likely remember the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle from your college years. If not, here is a quick refresher: "The more precisely the position is determined, the less precisely the momentum is known in this instant, and vice versa." - Heisenberg, uncertainty paper, 1927.
Essentially, what is means is that no matter how hard you try, you can only determine a certain amount of information about anything. You cannot know everything.
Why am I writing about this? Well, when you stop and look at how corporations and businesses handle decisions, you run full on into the uncertainly principle; rather, you run straight into the by product of the uncertainty also known as "analysis paralysis."
The interesting dynamic about smart business decisions is that there are three important factors that need to be understood. This affects all areas, including (you guessed it) marketing decisions.
1. You can never know everything about your decision before making it. You can research, you can do voice of customer, you can send out survey after survey...but the simple fact is once the due diligence is done - once you've come up with reasonable assumptions - you've got to either fish or cut bait. And don't worry, there'll be plenty of opportunity to make this fish or cut bait decision.
2. Dr. Phil says, "Sometimes you make the right decision. Sometimes you make the decision right." Leadership is being able to gather the facts as appropriate as necessary - and then acting on it. Even if you aren't 100% sure, you have to make a decision...it may not always be right. But good leaders make the decisions...right.
3. The interesting thing about the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle is that even though it means you are essentially blind of all the information and you won't ever have a clear picture, the world continues on.
Similarly, you are essentially blind to all of the information available to you...but you will have to continue on anyway.
There is a lot of information surrounding every decision. Sometimes it is beneficial. Sometimes it is confusing. Take normal, deliberate steps to understanding your world...but never use that lack of information to be the thing that keeps you from intuition, insight and strategy.
Essentially, what is means is that no matter how hard you try, you can only determine a certain amount of information about anything. You cannot know everything.
Why am I writing about this? Well, when you stop and look at how corporations and businesses handle decisions, you run full on into the uncertainly principle; rather, you run straight into the by product of the uncertainty also known as "analysis paralysis."
The interesting dynamic about smart business decisions is that there are three important factors that need to be understood. This affects all areas, including (you guessed it) marketing decisions.
1. You can never know everything about your decision before making it. You can research, you can do voice of customer, you can send out survey after survey...but the simple fact is once the due diligence is done - once you've come up with reasonable assumptions - you've got to either fish or cut bait. And don't worry, there'll be plenty of opportunity to make this fish or cut bait decision.
2. Dr. Phil says, "Sometimes you make the right decision. Sometimes you make the decision right." Leadership is being able to gather the facts as appropriate as necessary - and then acting on it. Even if you aren't 100% sure, you have to make a decision...it may not always be right. But good leaders make the decisions...right.
3. The interesting thing about the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle is that even though it means you are essentially blind of all the information and you won't ever have a clear picture, the world continues on.
Similarly, you are essentially blind to all of the information available to you...but you will have to continue on anyway.
There is a lot of information surrounding every decision. Sometimes it is beneficial. Sometimes it is confusing. Take normal, deliberate steps to understanding your world...but never use that lack of information to be the thing that keeps you from intuition, insight and strategy.