New Thinking in Problem Solving for SMEs is a practical guide for New Zealand business owners looking to move beyond gut-instinct decisions toward smarter, more structured problem-solving. It highlights the common constraints SMEs face—like time pressure, small teams, and limited resources—and introduces accessible tools from psychology, design thinking, and systems strategy to make better decisions.
Key concepts include the premortem technique, fast and slow thinking, and visual planning. The guide offers fresh approaches to common issues like cash flow, sales drops, team conflicts, and tech overwhelm. Real-world examples, like a café owner using structured thinking to boost lunch revenue, show the impact of these methods.
The message is clear: smart problem-solving doesn’t require big budgets—just a shift in mindset, better collaboration, and simple frameworks that can be built into daily business life.