Think Like An Egyptian

Think Like an Egyptian

Occasionally a problem arises at work that is frustrating but interesting to try to resolve…

 

The problem presented was – how can we transport fifty long and heavy tubular things on a pallet?

 

The logistics manager suggested that we purchase a special extra-wide pallet.

 

This idea was dismissed by the boss: The cost of the special pallet and the transportation cost would be prohibitive – the long heavy tubular things had to stand upright on the pallet but must be made stable so as not to tip over.

 

I suggested that we could acquire a heavy cardboard drum. This could be secured onto the pallet and the long heavy tubular things could be packed inside.

 

This idea was dismissed out of hand.

 

I suggested a giant egg box type thing on the bottom and top.

 

This idea was also dismissed.

 

I remembered that I had read somewhere that people can be resistant to new ideas and are more likely to adopt an idea if they can be encouraged to reach that same solution for themselves...

 

“Think like an Egyptian.” I said.

 

“What are you going on about?” asked my boss.

 

“Well… how would the ancient Egyptians have dealt with this challenge?” (Note the use of the neutral euphemism “challenge” to replace the negative and stress-inducing word “problem”)

 

He looked at me quizzically for a moment and said “Egyptians? Oh! You mean their method of moving massive slabs of granite on rolling logs. No, no, no.”

 

“Erm, not quite.” I said “The moving isn’t the issue is it? Forklift trucks can be used for that. I was more concerned about the stability and thinking, what is one of the most stable structures which is associated with the Egyptians?”

 

“Pyramids!” He exclaimed “Pyramids! No! Pyramids are made of stone and our problem is about long heavy tubes. No.”

 

“Ok, similar to a pyramid... but made of tube-like things… a tepee… we could arrange the tubes like the frame of a tepee." I suggested.

 

“Oh, I see” he said “They’re crossed over at the top though; how would we stop the criss-cross top from slipping and falling apart?”

 

Trying to steer the conversation back so that he would reach the solution himself, I said “Well, how did the tepee dwellers stop the criss-cross bit at the top of their tepees from slipping and falling apart?”

 

He thought for a while before replying “Animal skins!”

 

I was silenced by this response.

 

He went on to say “Animal skins. No. No. I think what we need to do is get an extra-wide pallet and lay the tubes flat on that.”

 

“Sounds like a good idea.” I said.

 

“Yes, well,” he replied “You have to be good at problem solving in this game. You’ve got to come up with unique ideas - you know - think outside the envelope.”

 

Quite.