Management Tools And Techniques

Abstract - Tools and Techniques Paper

Decision-making tools and techniques are aids to assist an individual in the critical thinking process. These tools and techniques are many and vary in style and use. The following pages will examine the Metaphorical Thinking tool and give examples of how it is applied in the decision-making process.

When considering metaphorical thinking, the first thing that comes to mind is "metaphor" and its use in literature. How is a metaphor something that can be used as a decision making tool? The definition of a metaphor is "A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison. i.e....'a sea of troubles'."(2006). After considering the very definition of a metaphor, it becomes more clear why writers have used them for centuries. The use of metaphors in literature aids the reader in opening up his or her mind to allow the exploration of different thoughts. If an artist masters the use of metaphors, they can write a masterpiece that will take readers on a journey beyond imagination.

Now, imagine applying the use of metaphors to critical thinking. "If we can't even *see* something until we have "the right metaphor" and if we think in metaphors, why aren't we taught more about this way of thinking? Why are metaphors relegated to a few weeks (days?) in English class and left to the realm of the poets?" (Wycoff, 2006). When an individual learns to expand their way of thinking to incorporate metaphorical ideas, they will spark the creative thinking process. Creative thinking enables us to open our imagination to new ideas.

"Excessive logical thinking can stifle the creative process, so use metaphors as way of thinking differently about something. Make and look for metaphors in your thinking, and be aware of the metaphors you use. Metaphors are wonderful, so long as we remember that they don't constitute a means of proof..." (Unknown, 1996). Using a metaphor to expand the thought process can lead to ideas that were possibly never considered before.

How are metaphors used to expand our thinking process? Consider a problem that is occurring in an office environment. When considering a solution to that problem, it would help to find something that the problem is "like." To understand this better, consider the advertising industry. The advertising industry is covered with metaphorical illustrations. Motorola is marketing a new phone called the iTune. The commercials for this phone show an individual walking along minding their own business. However, their shadow on the wall is dancing like crazy to the music of their choice. The idea of this advertising gimmick is to show that a phone with music capabilities makes an individual feel as if they are free to be themselves.

Another example of these metaphors in advertising is the recent Red Bull commercials. They show individuals drinking a can of Red Bull. Then the individual turns into a bird. Then the commercial says, "Red Bull gives you wings." What does