Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving for Managers: Walmart Case

This report examines creative thinking and problem-solving approaches for managers, using Walmart as a case study. It discusses the importance of these skills for managers to effectively address organizational challenges, including wicked problems. The report highlights specific instances of Walmart's challenges, such as the high-price strategy in 2000 and corruption charges in 2012. It then delves into creative thinking approaches like the Six Thinking Hats and Soft System Methodology, explaining how these can be applied to solve complex problems. The Six Thinking Hats technique involves analyzing problems from different perspectives (blue, green, red, yellow, black, and white hats), while the Soft System Methodology focuses on understanding and addressing the root causes of issues through stages like problem recognition, description, and solution implementation. The report emphasizes the importance of resource utilization, effective planning, and stakeholder considerations in problem-solving.

Creative thinking and
Problem-solving for
Managers

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Main Body.......................................................................................................................................5
Creative thinking approach.....................................................................................................5
Application of the approach...................................................................................................9
Evaluation of problem solving approach..............................................................................10
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
References .....................................................................................................................................12

Introduction
Manager refers to those person which manages all the activities of business effectively
and efficient. It is the duty of the managers to deal with each and every type of problem arises in
the organisation. There is also some wicked problems arises in the organisation whose solution
becomes impossible. Managers is required to have many qualities in their personality which
helps them to find the solution of problem arises in the organisation (Akpur, 2020). These
qualities are problem solving skills, decision skills, intellectual skills and creative thinking.
These skills helps the managers to manage the crucial activities effectively. Walmart is the
organisation which is chosen here to demonstrate this report. This report contain one wicked
problem faced by the Walmart in their business which impacts negatively in their market share.
The detailed discussion of Wicked problem faced by Walmart are included in this report. It states
various steps and recommendations by the managers to deal with this wicked problem. It
contains explanation of various problem solving skills and abilities of managers which they use
to solve the problem in Walmart.
About the company
Walmart inc is an American multinational company which deals in a retail industry. It
operates a chain of hypermarket, discount department stores and grocery stores in united states.
All the crucial decision related to the business of walmart are taken from their headquarter
which is located in Bentoville, Arkansas. Walmart was founded by Sam walton in 1962 with an
aim to provide product and services to the customers on cheap prices. It is the largest company in
term of the revenue according to the fortune list. It provides a largest number of employment in
the world as 2.2 million employees. Walmart is operating their business with well established
management structure and appoints the most talented managers to deal with the management
problems. These managers has different skills to deal with the problems and to solve the
problems in effective manner.
Problem discussion
Wicked problem is related to those problems which is considered to be impossible to
solve by the management of organisation. These are the problems which makes negative impact
on the survival of organisation and also makes difficult for the organisation to perform their
business activities (Hadar and Tirosh, 2019). Here are some examples of wicked problem such as

financial scams in organisation, any failure of strategy which makes difficult to solve by
company.
There are many wicked problems faced by the management of Walmart and becomes
negative for the business of Walmart. These problems are strategy to provide high price brand in
2000, corruption charges in 2012 and incident with CJ's seafood in 2012. The brief discussion
related to these problems are given below (What is A Wicked Problem and How Can You Solve
It?).
High price strategy of walmart in year 2000 :- In the mid of year 2000, walmart try to
shift their product range at high prince brand and start working to develop the strategies of this
idea. In the year 2000 company started to rebrand their products as high fashioned. This
campaign express the message to customers that company provide high fashioned brand at high
prices. This branding is considered to be one shot operation and no evaluation of effectiveness
of campaign is done (Maharani, Sukestiyarno and Waluya, 2017). This campaign makes negative
impact on the minds of customers and the result of this problem is the shut down of some
divisions of Walmart's in Arkansas. This attempt of company also harms the structure of low
price products because of china's interference in retail business. China takes advantage of this
wrong decision of Walmart and start large scale production in their country. Now they are able to
provide the low cost products and gain competitive advantage in global market.
Corruption charges in 2012 :- In the year 2012, the publisher named New york time
claimed that the executives of Walmart bribes the government officials by the fixers to pass their
several construction projects, information and legal permissions. The claim states this activity
provides huge advantage to the business of company and their executives over their competitors.
The report of New york times states the evidence that the Executives of walmart provides
52000$ to the officials to make changes in the zoning map which enables the users to open the
stores of Walmart from miles away. This report also states that the sitting and constructions of 19
Walmart stores are permitted through bribery. After this incident many business scholars and
experts criticise the management of Walmart and some considered this incident as a reflection of
company's strategic management.

Main Body
Creative thinking approach
According to Rawzaba Alhalabi, (2021), creative thinking in the process through which
business managers can guide better operational working of the corporate firm. The ability of
creative thinking in defined as the way through which corporate businesses might prove to beat
the competition by innovating a critical pathways to attain desired business goals and objectives.
It is an important approach being followed by business managers that protects working of the
business firm in terms of adding values, bringing up of sustainable business and contributing
towards productivity of the organisational firm (Creative Thinking: What is it, Why is it
Important, and How to Develop it? 2021).
In relation with operational working at Walmart, managers of the business firm regulates
their operations through use of effective critical thinking approaches. The devised approaches
helps businesses to attain desired business goals and manage fluctuations in business market with
ensuring better satisfaction of variety of stakeholder associated with business working. The
following are the creative thinking approaches adopted in the business firm to tackle wicket
problems faced at the corporate firm.Six Thinking Hats
Six Thinking Hats

(Source: The six thinking Hats encourages people to approach a challenge from different
perspectives
)
The
Six Thinking Hats is an effective problem solving techniques which could be used by
business managers to attain desired standards of productivity through appropriate operations
being performed in the business firm. The given techniques filters the planning process of the
corporate firm with 6 different prospectives. With relation to operational working at Walmart,
managers of the firm takes derivates of this technique to deliver positive outcome of efforts
while engaging business operations in complex business environment. Doug McMillon being
current CEO of company takes use of
Six Thinking Hats approach to engage business operations
while dealing with several wicket problems faced at the time of business operations.
Blue hat: The foremost hat in the mentioned technique evaluates on
process through
which a given problem or a challenge will be solved. The provided techniques enables with
effective implementation of plans in Walmart and guides managers to sustain the organisational
productivity.
Green hat: This element of the technique focuses it attention on performing each and
every task in the corporate firm using
creative approaches. Undergoing this element of this
technique, managers at chosen company can provide better shape to their defined strategy by
innovating the way to attain such tasks.
Red hat: The given hat in the technique represents
feelings of an individual or respective
stakeholder which will be affected the most from the decision being passed in the business firm.
In accordance with respective firm, given hat will analyse appropriateness of given plan to solve
the said management wicked problem.
Yellow hat: Provided element in the technique evaluates on possible
benefits which can
be gained by opting to the said plan or strategy to overcome a business issue or challenge. In
regards to the given context of retail firm, managers of the firm will evaluate on maximum
benefits which is to be extracted by using a specified strategy or a plan.
Black hat: Under this hat of the mentioned technique, various
cautions about a derived
business plan is to be taken into consideration. With relation to operational working at chosen
retail firm, managers of the firm derives platforms through which risk associated with business
plan could be analysed.

White hat: In the provided element, evaluation over
facts with current business plans are
being taken into consideration. Taking contrast to given scenario, chosen company's decision-
making to avoid wicked problems is to evaluated for their real time implications.
Importance of Six Thinking Hats
 Avoids wastages of resources
 Rapid growth Effective implementationSoft system methodology
Soft system methodology
(Source: The seven-stage of SSM)
The given methodology technique can be used bys management of the company in
respect with general problem-solving techniques. Provided method derives with appropriate
standards through which a defined problem or issue in the business firm can be solved. Under the
approach considerations of related aspects of business working are to be taken into consideration.
In regards with operational working at Walmart, managers of the retail firm takes considerations

of this methodology through which complex business situations and wicked problems of the
corporate firm are evaluated. Through the techniques production of collaborative efforts are
being taken into consideration to achievement of desired business goals by undergoing following
stages; Recognition of problem: In this stage problem recognition is being facilitated through
undergoing several market researches. Managers at Walmart, pursue this with conducting
surveys or interviewing specific groups of individuals for recognition of specified problem.
Describing problematic situation: Under this stage, problematic situation is being
evaluated being defined in stage 1. Managers at chosen retail evaluates the specified problem
through presentation of related facts in workplace meeting.
Formulating basic definitions: Through this stage effective or appropriate ways and
methods are being evaluated on the basis of which defined problem or issue is to be solved. In
the process being several associated individuals with the problems are being taken into
consideration.
Composing models: Several steps to be undertaken to solve an identified problem or
issue is to be evaluated through use of models and deriving appropriate objectives to be derived
from such models.
Reality test: For the above stages in which several theories and implementation plan was
being derived, this test undergo treatment of such theories by contrasting to reality. In given
context, managers of the retail firm check reliability of theoretical plans when implemented in
reality. Defining changes: In the carry forwards of the approach several need for changes are
being justified. For this stage, managers of respective firm check viability of such changes and
their need for accomplishment.
Actions: In case of problematic situation, the given stage provides with effective
strategies to improve the given situation.
Importance of
Soft system methodology
 Considers good interest of stakeholders
 Avoiding high business complexities
 Political problem-solving

Application of the approach
Application of suitable approaches for solving a business problem plays a vital role in
devising appropriate use of business resources. This techniques in used by managers of the
corporate firm critically evaluate on said business problem and also ensures effective use of
business resources avoiding any sort of wastages in the workplace. In regards to operational
working at Walmart, managers of the retail firm takes considerations of several strategic models
through which effective productivity of the corporate firm is being evaluated, this include;Six Thinking Hats
For using this approach, managers at the chosen firm derives firm's ability to dominate its
working under influence of effective business plans and strategies. In the process being several
elements of the models are being allocated to respective staff of the company in respect to their
abilities and skill sets. Following the key considerations while implementation of the given
technique;
Effective resource utilisation for enabling growth: Under the given technique managers at
Walmart ensures effective utilisation of resources which further enable better growth
opportunities of the business firm. For the given model, by undergoing several hats or stages
better usage of business resources can be enabled and thus will contribute towards effective
growth opportunities of the corporate firm.
Controlling techniques to enable effective implementation of devised plans: Through
undergoing stages of provided critical thinking model, managers of the corporate firm can enable
effective controlling techniques with respect to operational process of the organisational firm. By
use of given technique managers of the firm are equipped to enhance working of the corporate
firm in terms of effective monitoring and controlling techniques.
Management techniques for avoiding wastages of resources: Management techniques
equip managers to enhance working of the corporate firm. This technique presents organisational
capability to ensure effective use of resources in the process of performing several business tasks
while pursuing respective business goals and objectives. For the given technique, wastages of
business resources can be avoided through use of effective management techniques.Soft system methodology
The given methodology contrast to enhancing the appropriateness of the working basis of
the said organisational firm. For the given methodology managers of the firm can ensure taking

use of effective standards in which core business working is to be analysed. For the given
context of Walmart, as the firm have to face severe wicked problems while operating in business
environment in the past. Therefore, by using the given methodology chosen firm derives with
effective standards on the basis of which proper decision-making can be initiated. The identified
problem of the corporate firm are being evaluated with respect to various business factors
available internal and external business environment. For the given model, managers at Walmart
ensures following factors while implementation of various business strategies;
Business nature: The foremost factor which is taken into consideration while
implementation of this model refers to business nature. The nature of working in Walmart
reflects towards competitive in market. The given technique evaluates on effective business
working working under the specified nature and aiming at maximum advantages derives from
operational working at the organisational firm.
Stakeholders: The stakeholders of the firm are being taken into consideration while
implementation of effective plans to counter with identified business issue. This technique
presents organisational capability to ensure effective use of resources in the process of
performing several business tasks while pursuing respective business goals and objectives. For
the given technique, wastages of business resources can be avoided through use of effective
management techniques.
Evaluation of problem solving approach
Is is not impossible to not have solution of any problem. Every problem can be solved by
the proper management and superior skills of managers. Here are the evaluation of some
problem solving approach which are given below.
 Provide direction to the solution of problem :- One of the most important feature of these
problem solving approach is that it provides correct direction to the managers of
organisation. These approaches has series of steps which managers need to follow and
solve the problem of organisation. The managers of Walmart can apply these approaches
in their organisation and obtained directions to solve the problems occur in their
organisation.
 Develops skills in managers :- It is one of the quality of these approaches that it develops
many skills such as problem solving skills, decision making skills and intellectual skills

in managers (Montag-Smit and Maertz, 2017). These approaches enables the managers of
company to perform their business in any critical conditions.
 It helps to solve the problem :- The final stage of these approaches is the solution of
problem (Pringle and Sowden, 2017). This will happen only when the managers of
organisation follow all the steps accurately.
 Develops creative thinking :- it is very important for the managers to have creative
thinking to solve these wicked problem. The above approaches which is used to solve the
wicked problems of Walmart has an ability to develop creative thinking in managers.
 Helps the managers to make provisions for future :- The approaches which is defined
above to deal with the issue of wicked problems arises in the Walmart enables the
employees and management of Walmart. These approaches developed special skills in
the personality of managers which enables them to make provisions for future.
Recommendations
There are many recommendations for the solution of these wicked problems and the brief
discussion related to these recommendations are given below.
 Effective strategies :- It is important for the management of organisation to develop the
strategies for business according to their strength. The strategies which are developed on
the basis of strength are easily to executed and successful. Managers of organisation need
to analyse the environment and needs of the customers from the market before making
the strategies. The effective planning of these strategies minimise the chances of failure
and loss. The best example of strategy failure is seen in the management of Walmart. In
the year 2000, strategy of high fashioned brand of Walmart has a great failure of the
company and it impact negative on the image of company. This failure occur due to the
reason of ineffective strategy.
 Deep Market research :- It is related to gathering information related to need and
preference of customers from the market. There are many methods which are used to in
the process of market research such as questionnaire and market surveys. It is very
important for the organisation to conduct deep market survey before making any strategy
for business. These market research enables the needs and preference of customers and
provides directions to managers for the development of strategies. It is not possible that
any strategy can be success without market research. In case of Walmart the management

of company are failed to conduct effective market survey and not able to analyse the need
of customers and makes the strategies to provide high fashioned clothes and becomes
failed to execute their strategy. It is recommended to the management of company that
considers every aspect of market before making any strategy of business.
 Proper evaluation of strategies :- The development of strategy is not sufficient for the
success of business, continuously evaluation is important. It emphasizes he management
the needs and loop holes in he strategy and enables them to improve their strategy which
reduces the chances of failure of strategy. It is important for the organisation to have
proper evaluation structure. These structure should present well skilled managers and
their subordinates which has an ability to find loop holes of the strategy. There is a lack
of evaluation framework in case of Walmart. They started their campaign without any
evaluation of their strategy which becomes burden for company and the management
faces many Wicked problems. It is recommended to the management of Walmart to
develop effective evaluation framework which reduces the chances of failure of
Company's strategy.
 Effective marketing :- There is a cut throat competition in the market and many
organisations are working in individual industry which provides extensive competition
and reduces the profit margins of the organisation. It is compulsory for any organisation
to have proper marketing framework which enables the organisation to gain competitive
advantage from the industry and increase their profit margins. Marketing is also
important for the success of any strategy because it aware the customers about the
strategies of company. It is recommended to the management of Walmart to develop
effective marketing framework to advertise various strategies to customers.
 Effective management :- Management is related to the planning, organising, controlling
and staffing the activities of organisation to achieve the goals and objectives effectively
and efficiently. It is very important for the organisation to have talented managers in their
organisation to deal with many management issues and problems. Management of
organisation deals with the wicked problems arises in the organisation and solve these
problems in effective manner.
 The level of motivation should be high :- It is related to those quality of a manager which
influences the behaviour of their subordinates towards the achievement of organisational